Digital Learning
Taking care of our students' physical and emotional well-being is of the utmost importance. We commit to ensuring each and every child in our school has access to the opportunity and support they need to learn essential content and skills while learning at home. Our teachers use Edmodo to provide learning assignments, guidance and interact with students. Students will receive course work for the week. They can complete this work on their own schedule – also referred to as asynchronous learning, which means the entire class and teacher are not together. There will be opportunities to meet virtually as a class, check in and have live lessons – called synchronous learning each Tuesday.
There will be a weekly or daily announcement from the teacher. Students will see an agenda or list of the learning targets for the week and then students will move into the content to be completed. Typically, there are lessons, opportunities for students to dig in and build their own knowledge and then be directed to an assignment or a discussion. There is an opportunity here for students to post their thoughts in a discussion format and interact with their classmates.
When it’s time to complete the assignment the criteria is spelled out, students click submit assignment and upload their work. Additionally, students might see specific outcomes and standards that apply to the assignment.
Some courses might offer current event type discussions that address issues going on in the world. This is a way to develop a Biblical worldview, promote social and emotional learning, and build informed citizenships with our students. Teachers may invite students to join other programs that allow them to read and be part of a wider community of learners.
FLEX Learning-Tutoring Services
Many Shepherd's Academy students live in Title I school zones. This grants us additional federal money to ensure that every student meets the Georgia Standards of Excellence. This additional funding allows us the opportunity to offer free math and reading tutoring to our students during the school year. All eligible students are invited to receive this extra help. Invitations are sent out to children who are struggling to meet state standards, as identified by their math and/or reading assessments. Once all of the county funded students are assigned, we will assign available slots to other scholars who are meeting standards but would like the additional learning opportunity. Students are eligible to attend tutoring two days per week beginning in October and ending in late March.
Title I compliant tutorial services include:
Tutorial course selection that includes individual or small group math, science, reading & writing, as well as academic strategies or strategic test preparation strategies.
A comprehensive approach which includes all curriculum, lesson plans, practice tests, guided reading libraries, mathematics manipulatives, testing and assessment software and computers as well as any necessary equipment or materials.
The tutor begins with an assessment which is aligned with national, state, and county learning and performance benchmarks. Normed standardized tests are incorporated into all tutorials as needed and based upon program need.
Sessions may be held before/after/during school, weekends, holidays or during the summer months.
Tutorial lesson structure and content delivery are research-based and data-driven and are individually designed based on student need.
Complete student data tracking includes individualized student session notes objective mastery tracking, and behavior/attendance tracking through our online portal and tracking software systems.
Quarterly, monthly and/or end of program comprehensive reporting of student progress and achievement.
Parent Progress Reports: Our student progress tracking and data programs allow us to produce monthly or weekly progress reports for parents which include session notes, assessment and performance tracking, attendance and updates to the program. These reports can be accessed online, sent electronically via email directly to parents or be printed.
Please register by submitting the $50 registration fee and submitting the Enrollment Application. Supplemental services are only available for students who are enrolled in the academy.
Individual tutoring services are $50/hour for individual students.
Small group tutoring services are available for groups of 5 at $500/month.
There is no charge for students living in a Title 1 school zone.
Virtual Learning Rules: (please review with students before class begins)
1. Be on time for class
One of the most important online classroom rules is to be on time for class. Students may feel a little more relaxed or may sleep in a little later while learning from home, but being late for classes or sessions can be very disruptive to online classes. Be sure to tell students to be at their desks and logged in 5 minutes before class starts so they are ready to start the class or session on time.
2. Dress appropriately
A virtual classroom is still a classroom thus students, and teachers, should dress just as they would when attending school. Be sure to tell students to dress appropriately and things like pajamas, offensive t-shirts, etc. are not allowed in the online classroom.
3. Choose a study space
The place where student's desks/laptops should be while learning online is very important. Students should set up their study space in a quiet place away from distractions. For example, students should not place their laptop in a place where their parents and other family members may be walking around and talking in the background. This can be very distracting for all students in a virtual classroom. A neutral background is best.
4. No eating or drinking during class
Just like in the normal classroom, eating and drinking should be prohibited in the online classroom. Students may be tempted to roll out of bed and eat their breakfast during class or a tutoring session, but this can be very distracting for students. Also students are not going to be able to talk and participate if they’ve got a mouth full of cereal.
5. Speak one at a time
An online class can get very noisy, very fast. Especially if teaching kids online. If everyone is talking at once, it is very hard to hear and to be heard by other students. To make sure everyone can participate and be heard, tell students that they should speak one at a time, and if another student is talking, they should listen. If necessary, you can ask students to mute their microphone until it is their time to speak.
6. Have your supplies ready
Just like classes in a normal classroom, students need to come prepared for class or a session when learning online. This means being prepared with any textbooks required for class, a pencil and paper for taking notes, and any assignments/homework from previous lessons.
7. No phones, games, or toys
Students know that the teacher may not see them fully during online class, so they may be tempted to use their phone or play with another toy or gadget off-camera. Be sure to set the online classroom rule that no phones can be used in class (without permission) or any other toys or devices that may be a distraction.
8. Respect others
Be sure to listen to the teacher, respect, and encourage other students in the class. For example, if someone has a good answer or idea, students can share a fun emoticon to cheer on their peers.
9. Respect property
Be sure to properly turn on and off your device and be a good steward of the resources God blesses you with.
10. Have fun.
We're praying that you will have a WONDERful school year!
For the Good Shepherd and His lambs,
Dr. Althea Penn
Executive Director
