Elementary Online Learning

Elementary Online Learning offers school- and district-level leaders and administrators a field-tested approach to developing formal and interdisciplinary online education, in-house and from scratch, for grades K-5. While it is possible today to purchase off-the-shelf online platforms from for-profit companies, many elementary schools have the option of creating their own programs, curricula, and instructional strategies that are deliberately tailored to the strengths and needs of their own communities. This book provides practical and effective approaches to cohesive, data-driven program design, synchronous and asynchronous teaching, professional development, family partnerships, and much more. Each chapter is full of research-based ideas, recommendations, and prompts that will help schools yield online education that is interdisciplinary, socially just, and student-driven.

Lana Peterson is Director of Community Engagement in the Learning + Technologies Collaborative at the University of Minnesota, USA, and holds an elementary education teaching license. Holly Skadsem is District Digital Learning and Online Elementary School Coordinator at Bloomington Public Schools, USA, a licensed administrator, and a former elementary school teacher.

1. Introduction 2. Establishing a Lens of Equity and Social Justice 3. Building the Foundation of New Learning 4. Designing an Elementary Online Program 5. Facilitating Teacher Professional Development 6. Launching the First 20 Days Online 7. Leading Live Instruction 8. Designing Effective Asynchronous Instruction 9. Fostering a Home-to-School Connection 10. Creating a Sense of Belonging in Online School 11. Evolving and Growing Glossary Appendix