Distance Learning in 2019-20 & 2020-21
Last spring when we needed to stay in our homes, our school converted to distance learning! Even in distance learning our focus was on developmentally appropriate and meaningful experiences for children. We created learning activities, inspired by what your child would experience at school, but with a manageable balance of more independent and creative work. Social experiences were woven into the day using technology as a tool to deliver to your homes.
Spring Planting
Preschoolers plant spring gardens
CatWatercolor3
3rd Grader response to a story about The Cat
Daily nature journal
Today’s observation entry…
Diorama_a
4th grade diorama – part of their Animal Reports
Diorama_b
4th grade diorama – part of their Animal Reports
Diorama_c
4th grade diorama – part of their Animal Reports
Catwatercolor4
3rd Grader response to a story about The Cat
CatWatercolor1
3rd Grader response to a story about The Cat
CatWatercolor2
3rd Grader response to a story about The Cat
Bunny Anyone?
Spring watercolor painting in 4th Grade
Max’s Kranzkuchen
A home cooking assignment from 7th Grade German this week!
March 2020: Waldorf education around the world, as with BVWS, has converted to distance learning from home! While this may be surprising, we are able to adapt and stay close to our philosophies. Here at school, we focus on developmentally appropriate and meaningful experiences for children.
Even in Distance Learning we are true to our educational approach! Learning (and teaching) are relationship-based activities! Waldorf distance learning about how our educators remain available and connected with students and parents.
It might be overwhelming for parents to consider their child’s education when school buildings are closed. And our teachers are here to help! BVWS teachers are dedicated to delivering quality Waldorf learning activities that are inspired by what your child would experience at school but with a manageable balance of more independent and creative work. Social experiences are woven into the day using technology as a tool. At BVWS we are incorporating limited use of technology, including email, recorded audio and video, teleconferencing, and Google Classroom for organizing class materials.
As we adopt a Waldorf approach to distance education, we know you'll have questions. We will update this page with parent resources and frequently asked questions.
Distance Learning Frequently Asked Questions
(Updated 15 Sep 2020)
How do I set up my Google Classroom account?
By now you should have followed instructions to activate your new school account. You will need this invitation in order to set up your account. If you did not receive an invitation, please contact us to resend it.
How do I access my BVWS Google Classroom?
- Open GOOGLE CHROME web browser and
- Add a unique school "person" or "profile" using your new school account
- Navigate to classroom.google.com
- Enter your @bvwsschool account, then click next.
- Enter your password and click next.
My account doesn't seem to be working? It is saying I still need a class code?
There are three common issues that make logging in to your google classroom not as seamless as usual:
- you are not using the latest version of a google classroom app (if on a tablet),
- you are not using the latest version of Chrome (chrome is absolutely the recommended web-browser for Google Classroom)
- you have not yet created a unique "profile" or "person" so although you logged in to an email account, some tabs may be opening with your default (not student @bvwsschool.org account).
Add a “Profile” or "Person" on Chrome
The Google Chrome browser allows you to be logged in to multiple Google accounts at the same time.
- If you are on a desktop Mac/PC/Linux, you can configure a second or third account by following these instructions: https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/2364824?co=GENIE.Platform%3DDesktop&hl=en
- If you are using a Chromebook, the approach is a little different. You will probably want to simply log out of one account (which takes you all the way out to the login screen you see at boot time), and log in to the other account from there. See https://support.google.com/chromebook/answer/1059242?hl=en
- You can also add multiple account profiles which are available at the same time without logging out. This is less secure, but may be suitable in some circumstances, as described at https://support.google.com/chromebook/answer/6088201?hl=en
I have more than one account using Google Classroom on the same computer. How do I create multiple profiles?
Add a “Profile” or "Person" on Chrome (this will enable audio/videos to play)
The Google Chrome browser allows you to be logged in to multiple Google accounts at the same time.
- If you are on a desktop Mac/PC/Linux, you can configure a second or third account by following these instructions: https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/2364824?co=GENIE.Platform%3DDesktop&hl=en
- If you are using a Chromebook, the approach is a little different. You will probably want to simply log out of one account (which takes you all the way out to the login screen you see at boot time), and log in to the other account from there. See https://support.google.com/chromebook/answer/1059242?hl=en
- You can also add multiple account profiles which are available at the same time without logging out. This is less secure, but may be suitable in some circumstances, as described at https://support.google.com/chromebook/answer/6088201?hl=en
I can't get an audio or video file to play
1. Are you logged into the wrong profile?
The Google Chrome browser allows you to be logged in to multiple Google accounts at the same time.
- If you are on a desktop Mac/PC/Linux, you can configure a second or third account by following these instructions: https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/2364824?co=GENIE.Platform%3DDesktop&hl=en
- If you are using a Chromebook, the approach is a little different. You will probably want to simply log out of one account (which takes you all the way out to the login screen you see at boot time), and log in to the other account from there. See https://support.google.com/chromebook/answer/1059242?hl=en
- You can also add multiple account profiles which are available at the same time without logging out. This is less secure, but may be suitable in some circumstances, as described at https://support.google.com/chromebook/answer/6088201?hl=en
2. Are you on a smartphone or tablet? Use the Google Classroom App.
iPhone or iPad: Download Google Classroom for Apple.
Android / Google Play: Download Google Classroom on Google Play
3. Are you using a computer with Windows or Mac? Use Google Chrome.
4. Try downloading the files to your computer.
Click the download icon in the upper right to save it to your PC. Access your downloads folder and play from there.
I don't have a scanner. How do I scan and upload assignments?
Photoscan on Android (by Google Photos) is a free app that you can use to turn your photo/phone into a high powered scanner!
Adobe Scan is an app that essentially functions as a copy machine on your phone. It uses the camera on your phone, but instead of being a normal picture (with shadows and weird lighting) it recognizes the document and neutralizes the lighting so it looks exactly like a copy machine took a picture of it. You can scan multiple pages into one document. So for instance, you could scan a 10 page document, but it would only show up as one file--very efficient. Once saved, the document is automatically uploaded to the Adobe document cloud, and you can access it as a pdf on your computer. From there, you can save it to your computer and/or send to others.
Using a Mac Computer
Do not use Safari for Google Classroom. Download Google Chrome.
Using an iPhone / iPad
Install the Google Classroom App on an iPad (or iPhone)
Using a PC / Chromebook or Amazon Fire Tablet
Download Google Chrome to access Google Classroom
Using an Android phone / tablet
Download the Google Classroom App from the Google Play store or use Google Chrome.
How does a student join a meeting?
Google Meet is integrated with each Google Classroom so each "Classroom" has its unique link for a Meet. This Meet link (on main Stream page of Google Classroom) video conference is only active for students when the teacher is logged in to the session.
Boulder Valley Waldorf School 