To support educators now through August 1, Open Up Resources + Kiddom are offering Open Up Resources 6-8 Math curriculum on Kiddom for free. Learn More

There’s much coming at educators right now. As we navigate shifts in daily schedules and responsibilities, the myriad of feelings, and the unknowing of what the days hold ahead, it can be overwhelming to also think about how teaching and learning effectively carry on in these times. 

It’s easy to try and solve for things by throwing as many solutions at the wall as possible, but as the educators at Open Up Resources and our digital partner, Kiddom, started to work through what we could do now to support teaching and learning, we knew one thing was clear: break down the approach and make it as simple as possible. 

This No-Nonsense Distance Learning Guide is a step-by-step guide for educators that provides practical advice and can be implemented rapidly during this critical health crisis. Use it to easily navigate to the stage of distance learning your school is currently tackling, and jump right in. 

Along the way, you'll discover helpful tips and tools that are specific to your role as administrator or teacher.

The 6 Steps to Distance Learning (further explained in the guide):

1. Define Distance Learning - Synchronous, Asynchronous, a blend of the two? Defining distance learning and what it means for the interactivity and connectedness of your teachers and students is a key first step.
2. Align on a Vision and Set Distance Learning Goals - It is important to think about what you are hoping to achieve when you carve out your transition plan. We offer a checklist of key questions to ensure you can answer and agree on early in the process.
3. Plan a Program with Equity in Mind - Equity is more than ensuring as many kids as possible are 1:1 and have wifi hotspots during school closures. There is opportunity to build asynchronous entry points that provide enhanced learning opportunities and supports.
4. Set Up Tools & Schedules - Before you implement digital learning in your schools, know first how you’ll deliver instruction. Piling up tools during this time is a distraction and overwhelming for educators and families. Review the guide suggestions, understand what of these tools you need, and implement before deploying curriculum and instructions to your students’ families.
5. Launch Courses & Curriculum - The success of any K-12 initiative will rely on preparation, organization, and established routines. What’s not a measure of success? The speed with which you launch distance learning (or any other change). But with the circumstances of the day, it’s important to intentionally and urgently find a path to bring learning back to your students. 
6. Continue PLCs & Coaching - This whole circumstance is new to all of us. The most important thing teachers and school leaders can do is accept that this is going to be an experience in trial and error, and happy failure. And know when to ask for help.
   
   

Read the complete No-Nonsense Digital Learning Guide here.

When you access Open Up Resources 6-8 Math digital curriculum freely on Kiddom, you unlock more than top-rated math curriculum. 

OUR + Kiddom includes:

• Assessments and practice problems with multiple choice auto-grading feature
• Resources to support differentiated learning, ELLs and students with disabilities
• Communication tools to connect with students and deliver feedback on submissions
• Ability to edit curriculum and supplement with resources from our K-12 content library
• Digital sharing of content and delivering assignments

Free now through August 1st, learn more and sign up here. Attend a Getting Started webinar.