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Friday, May 29, 2020

Last Day of School

Today is the last day of school.  Not the last day I had imagined for us!




Lizzie and the Last Day of School by Trinka Hakes Noble.  See and hear the story HERE
  • A book about the last day of school and some of the emotions and feelings that go along with the day.
The Feelings Book by Todd Parr.  See and hear the story HERE
  • A book about the many different ways we can feel each day.

When we return for Summer School (June 8th to July 2nd) I will be transitioning to using Google Classroom.  I will send instructions on how to access it at the end of next week.  A few of you already have access - for those that have access nothing new will be need to be done.

Stay safe, stay healthy and enjoy your beginning of summer!

Wednesday, May 20, 2020

Numbers, Counting, and Coloring


HERE is a worksheet that can be used for Number Recognition (1-20)


HERE are a few 'Math Mats' from our curriculum that will support counting, and introduce the concepts of addition and subtraction.
  • How Many Are Left?  Use to introduce the concept of subtraction.  Example: If one ladybug flies away - how many are left?
  • How Many Is 5?  Use to figure out how many more are needed to get to five (count the empty squares).
  • How Many All Together?  Use to introduce addition.  Example: One tree has three apples, and one tree has two apples - how many apples do the apple trees have all together? 

HERE are two coloring pages for fun.  One to support the book 'The Little Engine That Could' and one to support 'Leo the Late Bloomer'.  No printer?  No problem! Practice drawing, and draw your own tiger or train engine.

Happy Wednesday!  Stay safe and stay healthy!

Tuesday, May 19, 2020

'I Can Do It!' Books



Books from our weekly theme of 'I Can Do It!'

'Leo the Late Bloomer' by Robert Kraus.  See and hear the story HERE
  • An excellent book that reminds us all that we develop at different paces!
  • This is an opportunity to ask predicting questions.  Example: What do you think will happen to Leo?
'The Little Engine That Could' by Watty Piper.  See and hear the story HERE
  • Note: This story/video is 8 minutes long.
  • A great story about the power of positive thinking!  Even when things are difficult, we just need to tell ourselves that: 'I CAN DO IT!'
'Read and Rise' by Sandra L. Pinkey.  See and hear the story HERE
  • A great book!  Reading, and learning to read, allows us to learn about different experiences and learn more about the things that interest us.  As we learn to identify the letters of the alphabet, and the sounds associated with them, I remind the students that doing this will help them get ready to read!  Keep working to identify letters and practice the letter sounds!
  • Questions to ask during, or after, the book.  What does each child like reading about?  How can you tell?  (Use the picture clues!)



Thursday, May 14, 2020

Trying New Things and More!

Having children 'Try New Things' can be challenging.  Some children want to do everything 'perfectly', some find it challenging to break their routines and attempt new things, and others are easily frustrated by the reality that new things take LOTS (and LOTS!) of practice.

In our classroom we promote the concepts of 'you just have to try, and trying is what matters', and 'it's okay to make mistakes - this is how we ALL learn'.




Below are a few blog posts by others and videos that discuss the topic of having children 'Try New Things'.  The topic supports our weekly theme, and is a reminder of how we can support our children.


Review of 'Going New Places'
  • Go on an interactive Road Trip with Nature Cat from PBS HERE
  • Virtual Field Trips from PBS and Nature Cat can be found HERE.


Finally, today is National Dance Like a Chicken Day!  This is a good reminder to have fun and be silly!

A few fun dance songs/videos:

Stay safe, stay healthy, and BE GOOD!

Wednesday, May 13, 2020

Fun Videos

Fun videos to support learning for this week!

Patterns:


Counting:


Trying New Foods.  Would you try any of these silly food combinations??!!

Tuesday, May 12, 2020

Books for 'Trying New Things'

These are the books from 'Trying New Things'.


'Giraffes Can't Dance' by Giles Andreae.  Listen to and watch the story HERE.
  • Gerald the giraffe feels as if he is clumsy, and doesn't want to dance in front of his friends.  He should believe in himself and 'try new things' like dancing with his friends!
'Little Bat' by Tania Cox.  Listen to and watch the story HERE.
  • Little Bat is worried about 'trying something new'.  What is Little Bat worried about trying??
  • Have you ever been worried about trying something new?  It's okay to be worried, but trying new things can help us find new things to enjoy.
'We're Going On a Lion Hunt' by David Axtell.  Listen to and watch the story HERE.
  • A story about being brave.  It's brave to try new things!  What new things would you like to try?  Going to a new school?  Making new friends?  Or??!!!
  • Also, this books reviews directional words (over, under, around, through).  This is a good time to review directional words.  Use your hands or toys as models.  Examples: I can put my hands 'OVER' my head.  The toy is 'UNDER' the table.

Also.....

HERE are some worksheets that supports this week's theme.  The worksheets include:
  • Jungle Animal Cutouts.  Just something for fun!  'Giraffes Can't Dance' and 'We're Going On a Lion Hunt' both have wild animals in them - they could be used to retell the story, review the story, or whatever!  Coloring and cutting are good fine motor activities to practice.
  • What Comes Next? An example of a visual to help support practicing creating patterns and filling in missing items from patterns.
  • Spot the Bats.  Flash cards that are intended to be cut out.  They are used to practice identifying small quantities without counting (the same concept as last week's worksheet 'Spot the Xs').  The use of bats ties to the book 'Little Bat'.

Stay safe, stay healthy, and BE GOOD!


Friday, May 8, 2020

Happy Mother's Day



Happy Mother's Day to you all!

I hope your families spoil you and you have an opportunity to relax and enjoy the day dedicated to you.

Thursday, May 7, 2020

Going New Places



Below are links to some places we can 'visit' virtually.  Some you may have already been to, but some may be new to you!

The San Diego Zoo
  • You can view live cameras of animals HERE
  • You can search for you favorite animal to learn more HERE
Monterey Bay Aquarium
  • You can view live cameras of exhibits HERE
    • My favorite is the 'Jelly Cam'. I find jellyfish fascinating!
Boston Children's Museum
  • You can view each of the museum's three floors HERE
    • I think the tunnels on the third floor would be fun to crawl through!
Visit an Apple Orchard to learn more HERE

Visit a Planetarium to see stars and planets HERE


You can draw, and color, a picture of the favorite thing you saw!  Label it too, and don't forget your name!  Here is my picture of jellyfish at the Monterey Bay Aquarium.





Stay safe, stay healthy and be good!

Wednesday, May 6, 2020

Worksheets and National Beverage Day

HERE is a link to some worksheets that support our weekly theme.  I know not everyone has access to a printer, so I am providing a brief description of how the worksheets could be used and you could do the same without having the actual worksheet.  These are not requirements, just supplemental activities for you to consider.
  • I'm Not ScaredThis is intended to address the idea of going to a new school, or classroom, next year.  Have the children draw a scared face and a calm face.  Ask them what scares them, and what do they do to stop being scared?
  • Paper Doll Cutouts and Speech Balloon Cutout.  These can go together.  The purpose would be to use the picture information in the book 'Can You Say Peace?', from yesterday's post, to copy or draw different people based on one those represented in the book.  The speech bubble could be used to practice writing - the children could copy how we say peace in different languages (again, this information is from the book video that was in yesterday's post).
  • Shape Cutouts.  These are intended to be colored and then sorted.  You could sort by color; you could sort by size; or you could sort by color and size.
  • Spot the Xs.  These cards are intended to practice identifying small quantities (1 to 5) of objects without having to count them first.  Example:  Where are the cards with 2 Xs?  They can also be used as practice for counting.  Example: How many Xs on this one?  Let's count!  One,......
  • Where Is It?  This is meant to be used to practice directional words.  Examples:  Where is the bench?  It is BEHIND the swings.  Where is the slide?  It is NEXT TO the swings.

National Beverage Day



National Beverage Day is meant to be a day that encourages you to sit back, relax, and enjoy your favorite beverage.  I encourage you to take some time to relax with you loved one and do it with or without your favorite beverage.

HERE is a link to some recipes for inspiration.

Stay safe and stay healthy!  Be good!

Tuesday, May 5, 2020

Books and Cinco de Mayo

Below are links to videos of books from our new weekly theme of 'Going New Places' from the unit 'Moving On'.


In Our Country by Susan Canizares
  • The book covers different geographical areas of the United States.  Have you ever been to any of these areas?  Do you have a favorite?
  • Want to take a virtual tour of some of these places??!!
    • A tour of the Redwood  National Forest  (Note: there is a button in the upper left of the video that allows you to view a 360 of the area being shown).
    • A tour of The Grand Canyon (This is my favorite place to visit!)
    • A tour of meadows in Yosemite
Can You Say Peace? by Karen Katz
  • A book that addresses cultural awareness.

Cinco de Mayo
  • Want to know about the origins of Cinco de Mayo.  HERE is a video from PBS

Stay safe, stay healthy, and be happy!

Friday, May 1, 2020

National Mother Goose Day

Today is National Mother Goose Day.  Today would be a great day to review nursery rhymes/lullabies!



Here are links to YouTube videos for a few of my favorites:

Humpty Dumpty

Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star

The Itsy Bitsy Spider

Jack and Jill


Also, coloring pages to support the nursery rhymes/lullabies can be found HERE.

Tuesday, April 28, 2020

Books and National Superhero Day

Below are some links to books from our curriculum that support this week's theme of "The Seasons".



What Makes the Seasons? by Megan Montague Cash.  See it and listen to it HERE.

  • The book asks questions along the way.  This is an opportunity to pause the video and ask the question before you learn the answer on the next page.
  • You can also ask questions at the end to check for comprehension.  Example: What helped the plants to start growing in the spring?

The Apple Pie Tree by Zoe Hall.  See it and listen to it HERE.

  • This book offers examples of what changes a tree goes through during the year.  Ask questions about how the tree looks different and what happened during the different seasons.  Example:  When did the apples get picked off the tree?


The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats.  See it and listen to it HERE.

  • Ask questions!  Examples:  What season does it usually snow? What were the boys throwing?
  • Point our how we dress when the weather is cold.  
  • Count items!  Example: How many footprints do we see?

Lastly, today is National Superhero Day!  Celebrate your way!  Need some ideas?!  Wear a superhero shirt, make a mask, use a blanket or towel to make a cape, watch a superhero cartoon or movie, or draw a superhero!




Friday, April 24, 2020

Directed Drawing, Version 2.0

It's hard to believe, but we have reached our second last Friday of the month during this COVID-19 pandemic and school closure.

HERE is a link to the previous blog post that I created for the directed drawing we do the last Friday of each month.

I also created a video that can be followed along with as well - please know that until the drawing starts the screen is dark..  You can access it HERE.


Happy Friday!  Enjoy the warm weather!
Stay safe and stay healthy!

Thursday, April 23, 2020

National Picnic Day

Today is National Picnic Day!  It fits our weekly theme of 'Our Weather', because thanks to the beautiful weather today is a great day to go outside and have a picnic. So, the assignment today for everyone - parents, families, and children - is to go outside, enjoy the warm weather, enjoy each other's company, and relax.



Stay safe and stay healthy!

Wednesday, April 22, 2020

Earth Day

Today is the the 50th anniversary of Earth Day!  Earth Day is a day for us all to pause, look around and enjoy the world around us and is a reminder that we should do our part each and every day to protect that world around us.


Here are some books about Earth Day that I enjoy:

  • The Earth Book by Todd Parr.  See it and listen to it HERE.
  • It's Earth Day by Mercer Mayer.  See it and listen to it HERE.
  • Why Should I Recycle? by Jen Green.  See it and listen to it HERE.
  • 10 Things I Can Do To Help My World by Melanie Walsh.  See it and listen to it HERE.

How about an Earth Day Scavenger Hunt??! 


HERE is a link to one. 

This is just one example.  There are lots of examples available if you do an internet search for 'Earth Day scavenger hunt for children'.

Go outside today and enjoy the world around us!  Stay safe and stay healthy!

Tuesday, April 21, 2020

National Library Workers Day

Today is National Library Workers Day!  Let's celebrate them by reading a book today!

As Dr. Seuss said.....

Reasons to read:




HERE is a book about going to the library.


Friday, April 17, 2020

Bat Appreciation Day

Bats, along with bees and butterflies, are pollinators that help our food supply.  And they can be found in the sky - which is what our theme focus (What's In the Sky?) is this week!

Below is a coloring page you can download and print.  No printer?  No problem!  Draw your own bat and color it!


The book 'Stellaluna' is about a bat.  Watch and listen to the story HERE.


Thursday, April 16, 2020

National High Five Day and National Pajama Day

Today is National High Five Day and National Pajama Day!


Here is my virtual high five to all of you!  I wish I could give you a high five in person!

Practice your high fives at home.  Can you give them: Up high?  Down low?  Behind your back? From the side?  While you wash your hands??!!

HERE is a funny GoNoodle video about a 'Kitty High Five'.  Enjoy!


...AND...

How can you go wrong with National Pajama Day!  I know at my house it has been more like National Pajama Month!

Today you should have a....


Enjoy your day!  Practice high five in your pajamas!

Stay safe and stay healthy!



Thursday, April 2, 2020

Celebrate Your Way!

April 2nd is Peanut Butter & Jelly Day, National Burrito Day, and World Autism Awareness Day.

Celebrate your way and send me a picture!
You can send it via email or the Remind app

Need suggestions?
  • Peanut Butter & Jelly Day and National Burrito Day are examples of cooking and making food.  Participating in cooking promotes and helps develop a variety of skills such as: fine motor, literacy, math, and social-emotional.
    • The Sonoma County Office of  Education created a 'Benefits of Cooking with Preschoolers' document.  You can access it HERE.
  • Want to celebrate World Autism Awareness Day?  Visit the Autism Speaks 'How to Light it Up Blue' page HERE.

Wednesday, April 1, 2020

Miss Lindsay did our Directed Drawing!

Miss Lindsay, our fabulous speech therapist, did our directed drawing from March 31st!

Thank you for sharing Miss Lindsay!

National Walking Day

'
April 1st is National Walking Day!






Exercise helps to improve our social-emotional wellness, and exercise is as simple as going for a walk!  Exercise can improve our overall mood, reduce anxiety, and can help us to be more relaxed.  Social-emotional wellness plays a part in the academic success of our children.

So...I encourage you to go for a walk today!  We need to follow precautions such as social distancing, but we can still get out and exercise.  Going for a walk today?? Send me a picture via email or the Remind app.  My family and I are going for a walk later today and I'll send everyone a picture!

Tuesday, March 31, 2020

March 31st is National Crayon Day!



We are celebrating by coloring, drawing, tracing, or scribbling!  All of these activities are skills that work on the fine motor skills associated with writing and drawing - so any opportunity to practice is a good opportunity!

I'd love to see examples of ANYTHING that you draw, write, color, trace, scribble!  Send me a picture of what you draw either through email or using the Remind app.

Don't have crayons?!  Don't worry - I couldn't find any at my house right now either!  Use anything you have - a pencil, a pen, chalk, you can even use charcoal.  I found markers, and here is what I made for you:


REMEMBER:
'It is About the PROCESS - Not the PRODUCT'

This means it is much more important to practice, practice, practice than what the end product is or looks like.

Happy National Crayon Day - Go draw or color!!

Did you do the Directed Drawing?  Color it and send me a picture!


Directed Drawing

We do directed drawings at least once a week, and on the last Friday of the month we draw the same character.

The character looks like this:






If you'd like to follow the step-by-step instructions - click on the image below for a file you can view or download:


Or if you'd rather just copy the drawing - click on the image below for a file you can view or download:



I'd love to see your work!  Send me a picture of your drawing either in an email or through the Remind app.


Friday, March 27, 2020

Fun Friday Circle Time Favorites

On Fridays we have 'Fun Friday Circle Time'.  The students have an opportunity to pick their favorite songs, which are found on YouTube, and we all sing along!

Below are some of our favorites for you to sing at home.  Enjoy and happy Friday!

Who Took the Cookie?
Twinkle Twinkle Little Star
The Solar System Song
B-I-N-G-O
Peanut Butter and Jelly
Five Little Monkeys
Big and Small
Baby Shark Dance

Get outside today!  Ideas: Run, kick a ball, bounce or throw a ball back and forth, sit and enjoy the sun, or??!!  Whatever you do - have FUN!

Thursday, March 26, 2020

Need to Dance, Move or Relax?

There is a website called GoNoodle, that offers videos that you can follow along with to exercise, to dance, to be silly, and to practice relaxing as well.

We use GoNoodle in the classroom to take movement breaks and to dance.

You can access GoNoodle HERE.

Enjoy!

Math at Home

Math activities that you can do at home with items you already have!

Number Sense:

  • Practice counting.  By the time students turn 5 they should be able to count to 20 with increasing accuracy (they may skip a few numbers!).  Younger children should practice counting to 10.  You can count while stomping, clapping, jumping - or sitting quietly!  The important thing is to practice!
  • Recognize numerals.  By the time a student turns 5 they should know and name some written numerals.  Numbers are all around us  - if you see one ask what it is, or tell your child what it is and have them repeat it.  You can write numbers on paper as well.  Again, stick to the numerals 0-20 for children close to 5, and 0-10 for younger children.  If they know more numbers that's great - review what they know!
  • One-to-one correspondence (one object for each number word): You can count anything!  How many toys in a pile; how many crackers on a plate; count out 4 four plates for your four family members.  Students closer to 5 years old should try to count up to 10 items, younger children up to 5.  If they can count higher - that's great!


Sorting:

  • Sort objects by attributes (such as: color, shape, size (big/small)).  Put items of same color together - red toys in a pile and green toys in a pile.  Have something like buttons?  Sort by size - big buttons in a pile and little buttons in a pile.  Have dried beans?  Sort by color.  Have books and magazines?  Sort by shape, or size.  By the time a student turns 5 they should be able to objects by one or more attributes into two or more groups (black beans in one bowl and kidney beans in another; or the big red blocks go in one pile and the little red blocks go in another); younger children should sort by one attribute into two or more groups with increasing accuracy (red blocks in a pile and green blocks in a pile).


Patterns:

  • Repeating patterns. Patterns can be made with objects: fork, spoon, fork, spoon; blue block, red block, blue block, red block; sock, shoe, sock, shoe.  Patterns can also be done with actions: clap, stomp, clap, stomp; pat knees, clap, pat knees, clap.  Patterns can be drawn/written: circle, square, circle, square; E, L, E, L.  By the time a student turns 5 they should be able to recognize and duplicate simple patterns and they should extend and create patterns.  Younger students should work on beginning to identify or recognize patterns, and should work to create a simple pattern or help make one.


Shapes:

  • Identify/Recognize shapes.  Shapes are everywhere!  Play I Spy:  I spy a circle on the wall (the clock); I spy a big brown rectangle (the door!).  Ask what shape a: book is, a bowl or plate is, bread is, a doughnut is . Fold, or cut, paper into shapes - ask what they are.  Use playdough to make shapes.  Draw shapes.  Put shapes together to make something - a rectangle made of playdough with a triangle playdough on top is a house.  A student by the age of 5 should identify a variety of shapes in their everyday environment; younger children should recognize simple two-dimensional shapes such as a circle and square.

Note: References made to abilities by a certain age were taken from the California Preschool Learning Foundations for Mathematics.



Wednesday, March 25, 2020

Art Idea: Shadow Drawing

For a sunny day, or near a window on a wet day, shadow drawing can be done of favorite toys or anything you can think of!















For more inspiration see the post HERE.

Wacky Wednesday

Want to have some fun??!!

There is a book by Dr. Seuss (writing as Theo LeSieg) titled 'Wacky Wednesday'.  In it all sorts of 'wacky' things are observed - shoes on a wall, a table with a candy cane leg, a worm chasing a bird - the list goes on!

During Read Across America we read this in our class, and 'wacky' things happened in our class on the Wednesday of that week!  There was a shoe where our timer usually is, the legs of one of our tables was wearing shoes, our furniture was upside down, our snack table moved outside.  It was wacky!!

You could have a 'Wacky Wednesday' at your house on a Wednesday!

Some ideas:

  • Turn furniture upside down
  • Furniture 'missing'
  • A chair wearing clothes
  • Hats on a light or ceiling fan
  • Shoes hanging around the house
  • Eat under a table instead of at the table
A YouTube video of 'Wacky Wednesday' being read can be found HERE.

Enjoy!  Have FUN!  Be SILLY!

Tuesday, March 24, 2020

Directed Drawing

We do directed drawings at least once a week.  A directed drawing is a step-by-step approach to drawing something: I draw one part at a time - such as a circle or oval - and then the students draw it.  We make it fun, they try to guess what we're drawing, and they get practice at following directions and working on fine motor skills.

A suggestion for directed drawing activities at home:

Mo Willems is an author and illustrator, and has many books out such as 'Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!'  (one of the books I provided a link to yesterday!).

He is putting out a daily tutorial video on drawing and doodling.  They are meant for children, but can be fun for everyone!

You can find all the 'Lunch Doodles with Mo Willems!' HERE.

HERE is a link to step-by-step instructions for drawing the Pigeon from yesterday's book.  It in you will practice drawing shapes, lines, and letters - enjoy!

Tuesday: Alphabet Review

Let's practice singing the alphabet, recognizing/identifying letters and writing letters!

A tip: whatever you decide to do - make it fun!  If the kids aren't having fun - they aren't learning!


Singing the Alphabet.
Here are some fun songs within videos we use in the classroom:

Have Fun Teaching Alphabet Song: this song/video reviews uppercase and lowercase.  It also practices the letter sounds.

The ABC Song by StoryBots:  a quick song, and most kids love the StoryBots!  We practice singing like robots for fun when we watch this video - try it!

Do You Know Your Alphabet?:  a fun song that the kids enjoy!

Finally, there is no replacing the Alphabet Song that we all learned as children - no video required!  You can mix it up by singing it slower, faster, or using silly voices.


Recognizing/Identifying Letters.
Here are just a few suggestions:

  • Read books (or anything you have available!).  You can point to letters (uppercase or lowercase) and ask "What letter is this?"  Expand on the activity by naming words that start with the letter.
  • Look for letters around you and ask what they are.  There are letters everywhere!  You can find them on: food items, the clothes we wear, on appliances, on grocery ads, again - they are everywhere!
  • If you are able to print items out - search the internet for "free alphabet printables' and you will find lots of options to choose from, such as: flashcards, alphabet worksheets, or uppercase and lowercase matching activities.  You can also create all of these without a printer - you just need some paper and something to write with!
An internet search will provide you will lots of other ideas.  Whatever you find, or decide, keep it simple and make it fun!


Writing Letters.
Here are some suggestions:
  • Practice writing their name.  It doesn't have to be perfect - the letters may be out of order, they may write a letter backwards, they may forget a letter, they may write big and run out of room and their name will be two rows of letters - this is all okay!  It's more about practicing, and getting positive feedback about their efforts!
  • Provide them with letters to trace, or their name to trace.
  • Put sugar, salt, or flour on a plate, and write letters - provide a written sample to follow!
  • Have shaving cream?  Spread shaving cream in the bathtub/shower and practice!
  • Learning to write is supported by fine motor activities such as: scribbling, coloring, and drawing.  Each of these help to support the development of writing and practices the strokes we use to write.



Monday, March 23, 2020

March 23rd: Books!

Below are links to books that can viewed and listened to online. These books relate to our curriculum theme for this week of 'Staying Safe'.

We all have different comfort levels with technology - so don't be discouraged, or overwhelmed, if using these online resources is too difficult.

Reading a book, magazine, comic book (or anything!) with your child is what's important - find something you child enjoys and have fun!  Don't forget to: Ask questions; Ask your child to identify items on the page; Address other skills - look for colors, shapes, or count items.

 Select a picture from below to be taken to the book:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dljje7L9nIs
This is a silly book!  Is it SAFE for a pigeon to drive a bus?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GKCb2bBntNo
How do we stay SAFE when we're sick?


Related activity:
A video about traffic safety. It discusses common signs, what they are used for, and also discusses bike safety for children.
 Warning: the video is 9 minutes long - this can be too long for some.

Access the Traffic Safety video HERE.

Sunday, March 22, 2020

Parents/Families: Resources for Well-Being and Community Support

Thank you to Donna, one of our school's psychologist, for providing this document!

It includes mental health/well-being helpful tips and information about food, essentials, and household resources in the community.

The document can be found HERE.

Useful link!

Our classroom's speech therapist, Lindsay, has a blog you can access for additional links and information!  Thank you to Lindsay for the inspiration to start this blog!

Access Lindsay's blog HERE.

What We are Learning: March 23 - April 3

My first post - let's hope this works!

Here is the 'What We are Learning' document that I sent home last week through the Remind app. and via email to those that requested it.

I had also sent:

More to come! 

My plan is to provide daily links to items that will support learning from home, links to useful items for families, or links to information from others teachers or support providers.