What is Google Classroom?

 

Google Classroom is a free Google App that aims to simplify creating, distributing and assessing learning in a paperless way. Teachers can use Google Classroom to send announcements to entire classes, share resources, lesson notes, PowerPoints, diagrams, and home learning. Pupils can use it to access work covered in class in school, at home or on the go and complete home learning. Parents can use some of the features of Google Classroom to help engage with and support children in their home learning. It is a free resource that can be accessed from any device connected to the internet - laptops, desktop computers, Chromebooks, tablets or mobile phones.

 

 

How to Access Google Classroom?

 

Children can access Google Classroom using the mobile apps (Android and iOS), or via a web browser by visiting www.classroom.google.com. They should sign in using their @grangeprimaryschool.co.uk email address that they have been given by their teacher. Details of this are in the child’s reading records.  Once children have logged in, they will see the class overview page. From here they can see all of the classes they are registered with, a summary of any work due. Clicking on a class will open that Classroom.

 

 

How to Access resources?

 

If children are accessing Google classroom from a mobile device, they should download the appropriate Google Apps to make best use of the shared resources. The most useful Google apps are: Classroom, Calendar, Docs and Drive. When home learning is set online, it can be submitted directly within Google Classroom online without needing to be printed. To open the work, click on the Open button on the appropriate post in the Stream page. You will then see the work description and any attached documents. The simplest way to complete the home learning online is to open the attachment and complete your assignment in this document. When you are finished, click on the MARK AS DONE button. You can even add your own attachments to your submission, such as photos. Once the home learning has been marked by the teacher, you can see feedback and any comments made by the teacher by opening the home learning task as before.

 

Why at Grange Primary are we using Google Classroom?

 

This online platform has been set up for your children to access if you and your family are self-isolating, if a National or Local Lockdown happens and the school has to close. This means that your child or children can continue to access their learning from home. The learning will continue to be high quality and allows for learning to continue.

 

 

What work will be set for my child?

 

Your child will be set work that they would be doing in class. 

 

 

Parents need to be aware of the Safety Features of Google Classroom

 

Although many safety features have been enabled by our administrators, it is still the responsibility of parents to monitor what children are accessing online at home. We will continue to teach children the importance of being responsible digital citizens and accessing age appropriate material and we appreciate parents supporting this at home with their children.

 

When should my child access their home learning?

 

Children should only access Google Classroom between the hours of 9am and 3pm – their usual working day.

 

The government expectations for work are a minimum of:

3 hours for KS1

4 hours for KS2

 

Remember to ensure an hour for lunch and have regular breaks.

 

Teachers will feedback to children but this may not be straight away especially if they are still teaching in the classroom.

 

We also know that it is hard for some children to access the work that is set as they may have brothers and sisters who are also using the family laptops/computer or you as parents are working from home and need these resources too.  For those of you who are finding it hard to access online work, we are happy to create packs/photocopies. If you would like a pack or paper copies of the work set then please let the school know by calling the school office on 232030 between the hours of 8:00am and 2.45pm.

 

When will work be available for my child?

 

As soon as you let the school know that you are self-isolating work will be uploaded for your child within 24 hours of letting us know. Work set could be daily tasks or weekly but the teacher will make that clear when she uploads the information.

 

What should be written in the Comment Box?

 

This box is for children to write a comment if they are struggling or have any questions about the work set. This is not away for parents to communicate with staff.

 

Additional support for pupils with particular needs

How will you work with me to help my child who needs additional support from adults at home to access remote education?

We recognise that some pupils, for example some children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), may not be able to access remote education without support from adults at home. We acknowledge the difficulties this may place on families, and we will work with parents/carers to support those pupils.  Pupils with EHCPs can continue to come to school, and access support in their lessons.

If your child has special educational needs or a disability, but does not have an EHCP, they may have differentiated online tasks or additional support materials provided. Teachers will respond to children on an individual basis and therefore plan appropriately to ensure every child is able to achieve.

 

 

Engagement and Feedback

How will you assess my child’s work and progress?

 

Feedback will come in many forms including written/typed comments, acknowledgement of learning and more. Your child may receive additional challenges to think about if they have found something easy or they may get another similar activity if they need the extra practise of the skill.

Children do not need to respond to feedback from their teachers, however, they may well need to act on the advice given in their future learning, just as they would do in school. If your child does not understand their task, they can contact the teacher via Google classroom to let them know and the teacher will respond when they are able to do so. Teachers will not be responding to parental communication via Google Classroom.

Staff will give children feedback on their work however, due to their full-time teaching commitment in the classroom this won’t be immediately. The class teacher should respond to the child within 24 hours of the work been uploaded to Google Classroom.

If the whole class is self-isolating, then the class teacher will be able to give feedback within the day of them uploading their work. 

 

How will you check whether my child is engaging with their work and how will I be informed if there are concerns?

We will check on Day 3 to whether they have accessed Google Classroom, if they have not gained access to this a telephone call home will be made. 

Any concerns of children not accessing their daily work, teachers will inform the deputy headteacher who will contact parents/carers.

 

What can I do to support my child’s home learning?

We would recommend creating a dedicated area for your child to work on their remote education. We would encourage a set start and finish time that works for you and your family setting. The regular time to move, exercise and have a break will be beneficial for your child’s home learning experience. Having login details for Google Classroom to hand will also make this process easier for your child (in reading record).

Check-in on what your child has achieved on a regular basis throughout the day – only upload work, when you are both happy that the task is completed fully.

If your child doesn’t finish all of the tasks set on the day please encourage them to upload what they have achieved so we can ascertain their level of understanding/effort.

 

How can my child submit their work?

Your child can ‘turn in’/submit their work online into Google Classroom. Depending on the type of assignment and attachments, they can use ‘Turn in’ or Mark as Done.

Your child can attach one or more files to their work. They can also create new Google Docs, Slides, Sheets, and Drawings, work in them, and then attach them to their assignment.  

If your child has completed their task on paper, you can take a photo of their work, upload it and submit the photo.

 

What if my child is struggling or not completing their Remote Education?

Your child’s teachers will be setting learning appropriate to your child’s ability, age and stage in the year. They will be able to monitor if your child is engaging. Teachers will be providing materials that will support and extend your child’s learning which should allow all children to partake in and make genuine progress so they do not have lots to catch up on when they come back to school.

There may be different levels of activities, additional support videos and other resources to support your child’s understanding. It is important to remember that ‘to struggle’ is a normal part of learning and children would face challenges in their learning even when in school. However, if your child is really struggling with any aspect of remote learning, be it completing tasks or gaining access to devices, then please contact the school or get your child to write a comment asking for support and the teacher will explain and give more information.

 

If a child does not engage with the remote education provided, the Class Teacher should be informed and a discussion had with the parents to establish obstacles and provide support. If this disengagement continues, the Leadership Team will be notified and they will contact the family.

 

Will my child still have to do their remote learning if they are feeling ill with COVID-19 symptoms?

No – if your child does not feel well – let them recover and feel better before settling them down to remote education tasks. Just let the teacher know via the school office.

Will my child still have to do their remote learning if they are feeling ill with COVID-19 symptoms?

No – if your child does not feel well – let them recover and feel better before settling them down to remote education tasks. Just let the teacher know via the school office.

Will my child use the Google Classroom Remote Learning for other illnesses?

No – remote education is just being planned and provided for the COVID self-isolation period or a National or Local Lockdown. The same applies as above – if your child is unwell, they will not be fit to do work – they need rest and recovery time before heading back to school as normal.