They have their opinions.
Part 2.
Read part 1.
Recently, students in grades 5 & 6 participated in an online letter writing assignment, offering their opinions about distance learning in a letter to Superintendent Neil C.Cavallaro.
Teachers worked with the students on the elements of a formal letter combined with the process of opinion writing. District English Language Arts Coordinator Colette Bennett and Carrigan School Reading Consultant Latanya Joyner downloaded a number of these selections and sent them to Cavallaro to read and enjoy. The following are those letters.
While it did not surprise any of us that the students missed being at Carrigan, their opinions about learning online and the way they were expressed was “fantastic and enlightening,” according to Principal Richard Webber. We agree!
Do you enjoy distance learning? Well I do, it’s much easier to work without worrying about getting sick. This distance learning helps protect many people who could get the virus and keeps the hospitals less crowded for the people in need for treatment.
“How do you feel about distance learning”? I feel that online school is a great way to spend quarantine time catching up on things that we might have missed in school. This also helps slow the spread of germs. Quarantine also helps the earth when we are not outside. A lot of pollution clears up which makes up for people littering over 100s of years ago.
“ Am I enjoying distance learning “? Yes I am enjoying distance learning because I know that I am safe. Also distance learning gives me time to self distance and get off social media and do more crafts like paper squishies and draw. I can focus more on me and then take more time to give myself a spa. I don’t dislike distance learning because if we do not take the time and follow these rules will can get very sick and the numbers will just get higher and higher.
In conclusion I think distance learning is a great way for everyone to stop the spread of gems. Also I think that this is a good way to keep everyone safe, After this Coronavirus stops hopefully we can get back to our Normal lives.
Faith Neaveh Robinson
Mrs. Petrie’s Class
Have you ever had distance learning when you were in school? Well if you have, did you like it? Because I am leaning more toward the not liking it side. I find school more fun when you get to interact with other people but that might just be me because my mom could probably go a few days without seeing anyone.
Here are some of the other reasons why I don’t really like online learning: First, when I am working on something, and I have a question, I ask my mom first to see if she can help me and usually she can because she says that I am asking silly questions and they are but I just need to double check. Which probably means I just want to talk to someone sometimes, which is weird because I don’t really talk to people in school unless we are in a Special. Secondly, I think that my mom is trying to make use of me being home so I can do all the things I would most likely do on a weekend on a day I have online learning. Lastly, the different deadlines. Sometimes I have to stop what I am doing because it took longer than I expected, to go on to something that will be due soon. I am terrible with time management so that is mostly likely the thing that caused the problem in the first place.
Here are a few reasons why I think online learning is okay: First, my mom is teaching me how to cook. Second, is that we get to learn responsibility because we have to do all of our work before that date and time (even though we do that in school). We also have to tell the truth with the daily exercise from Gym and in Band, we have to say how long we have practiced. I am pretty sure the teachers don’t want us to lie if we didn’t do what we were supposed to do.
I hope this will all end soon so we can go back to school. Also have a lovely Easter and spring break. Stay healthy.
Isabel Millard
Ms. Morgan’s class
Have you ever had a class with friends that are always there to help you when you need it, and a great teacher who is always there to help you with anything you don’t understand? Well, that is why I am against distance learning and why I think we should be back in school, back in my class with teachers that have done so much for me. I want to continue learning with them for the time I have left in their classes.
First of all, my teacher Ms Marchitto for humanities, and Mrs Dady for math, are both great teachers. They teach in a way where you can learn something new, faster than watching a 10 minute video teaching you like we watch online. They help you understand what they’re asking in a better way and they can interact with you to help you. This is something a video can’t do.
Another reason why I am against distance learning is because being in school with other kids helps me mature. It also helps the other students in my class mature, too. It is good to stay motivated and work in a place that has positive energy. My class is the place that helps the other students and I focus and get more help if needed.
Lastly, Ms. Marchitto and Mrs. Dady always help me and the other students understand everything before we take the test. With Mrs. Dady, she tells us to come by three different periods throughout the day if they still don’t get it. With Ms. Marchitto, she makes flash cards for us to study, so we do the best we can when we take the tests. These types of study strategies can’t be done online. There are some other teachers and classes like mine, but Mrs. Dady and Ms. Marchitto really try to help the class and they want the best for every student.
In conclusion, I think we should be back in school and learning instead of using distance learning. In the classroom is a great learning environment. It helps educate students better rather than staying home using a laptop, unmotivated to do work. I think being back in school is the best choice.
Phong Ha
Miss Marchitto’s class
What is your opinion on Distance Learning? My personal opinion on Distance Learning is that it is harder and not as easy as learning in a classroom. But I am also very grateful for Distance Learning because it is better than not learning at all. There are a couple reasons why I do not like Distance Learning that I am going to tell you today.
One reason I do not like Distance Learning is that there is not necessarily a teacher right in front of me to help me with my school work if I have an issue. Yes, I do have my parents and older siblings to go to and I can always email one of my teachers for help if I need it, but it’s always easier to have a teacher right in front of you who can help you almost instantly.
Another reason I do not like Distance Learning is that it is harder for me to be on top of my work at all times. In order for me to finish all of my work on time, I usually have to wake up early and have a set time for each subject. If I don’t keep on the same schedule I usually can not finish all of my work because I can get side tracked very easily. But when I am at school it’s not as easy for me to get side tracked because I am at school without my siblings, parents, and pets.
One last reason I do not like Distance Learning that I would like to share with you is that I don’t get to see my friends and classmates. As classmates we are always working together and helping each other in certain situations. Like, when we are asked to work in a group we get the opportunity to learn how to collaborate which is a very important skill. Or when maybe I didn’t hear the answer to question four on math. Or even if I don’t have a blue colored pencil. Though school is for learning, social interaction is a big part of it too. I can’t always reach out to my friends for help and they can’t always reach out to me if they need help either.
Distance Learning has been hard and I might not like it, but for me it’s better than not learning anything at all.
This is my opinion on Distance Learning and, like I said before, I would love to hear your’s.
Mary Repetsky
Ms.Callahan’s class
Have you ever had to learn at home? Well, I am this year for a couple months because of the Coronavirus. Our town is taking precautions for this virus by staying home. We will have less of a chance to get each other sick because we are practicing social distancing. This virus causes everyone to be at risk, but the elderly are at a higher risk due to the fact their bodies can not fight the disease as well as someone younger and healthier. Distance Learning allows us to continue our education, as well as, stay healthy.
While doing online school there are many perks. Many people have opinions on this and like the fact of how much responsibility they have. Students can choose how they approach different assignments. Some of the perks are the amount of space you have, like you can sit at a big table or couch with no one next to you. Also, you can stay in your pajamas during the school day or comfy clothes. I personally like to just get ready for the day, though.
It is nice being with your teachers especially mine, but they still do talk to you which is cool. Also I finish early, so I have more time in the day to do what I want and I’m sure many other people too, like playing basketball.These are some of the many reasons I like distance learning.
The work given is not as much as we would get in a normal school day, but enough to keep our education going. I will say that this is much more of a review than new work. Like I said, we can talk to our teachers by typing, hopefully soon in a video chat like zoom which I have already used with my friends.
In conclusion, I think distance learning is a good way to learn in this scenario. Our health is at a less of a risk to get the virus and there are many privileges including a lot of responsibility. I think many people will agree that this is for the better and it will be a better resolution for the elders and themselves.
Madden
Miss Blake’s Class