Many families have more than one student enrolled in virtual school. The key to effectively coaching multiple students is strategic planning. The following tips can help you set up a system to ensure your students get ample attention and the support they need from you.
Create a Schedule
Throughout each day, work with your students on a rotating basis. Optimize your time by creating a schedule in which you can work with each student individually.
- Add LiveLesson® sessions, appointments, or other activities to each student’s Calendar. Use the Calendar to add events that affect all members of the household, like a vacation.
- At the beginning of each week, look ahead at your students’ Calendars to determine when each student is free to check in with you. Schedule times with one student while others are in a LiveLesson session, club, or otherwise occupied.
- Allow students to begin and end the day at different times to accommodate their optimum work preferences. Schedule one-on-one time with a student when others are not working. Check your schedule and revise it if needed.
- Allow time for breaks. Students need time to unwind and so do you!
- Use timers to track time spent on lesson completion and set alarms for LiveLesson sessions and other activities so students don’t miss them.
Prepare for the Day
- View lessons before the day begins. Take notes on lesson requirements for each student so you know what to check for as you monitor lesson completion.
- For each student, make a list of work that can be completed independently and work that requires your assistance. You might even prepare folders with directions and any needed print-outs.
- Encourage students to create their own action items. Check the items to monitor completion throughout the day.
- Have activities and supplies on hand. Incorporate younger ones into the day with tasks for them to complete.
Organize Learning Spaces
- Consider the following ways to organize your space(s) and choose the approach that works best for your family’s working style:
- For some families, having all students together in the same room works great.
- For others, having separate areas for each student with the Caretaker rotating between areas is helpful.
- Some families create learning zones. For example, a quiet work zone, an art zone, and a conversation or group work zone.
- Keep each learning space organized, and hold your students accountable by having them own the following responsibilities:
- Keep supplies and equipment in specified areas.
- Maintain folders and throw away papers that are no longer needed. Organize current documents using labeled folders or tabs in binders.
- Keep pencils, pens, paper, and other consumable supplies well stocked.