Paragould School District
Alternative Methods of Instruction (AMI) Plan
March 30 - April 17, 2020
Dear Parents,
The Paragould School District has analyzed various options for Alternative Methods of Instruction (AMI) during the required school closures due to COVID-19. Teachers across the district provided AMI paper packets for the week of March 30 through April 3 prior to the school closure. Please continue to work through these activities during the week of March 30-April 3. Following the completion of AMI paper packets, the district will provide two options for AMI from April 6 through April 17.
Option One: District Technology Programs
Option Two: Arkansas PBS (K-8 only)
OPTION ONE
Grades K-8
During the 2019-2020 school year students throughout the Paragould School District have utilized an online platform called Clever to provide students with easy access to district technology programs. Clever is a website that allows students to log into various educational programs through one site. Students are able to access Clever on their device by visiting www.clever.com. Their login information is as follows.
Username: lastname.firstname
Password: gorams14
Once students have logged into Clever they are expected to access each program listed in the table below for 15-20 minutes each day.
Grade Span | Technology Program |
K-1 | Dreambox, Imagine Math Facts & Imagine Literacy |
2-6 | Imagine Math, Imagine Math Facts & Imagine Literacy |
7-8 | Imagine Math & USA Test Prep |
Classroom teachers will monitor student progress electronically. Our programs provide computer adaptive technology designed to help each student develop proficiency by personalizing instruction. These programs utilize smart technology to identify where a student is academically and place them on a trajectory that accelerates achievement. This option provides teachers with ongoing measurements of growth and grade level standard mastery.
In addition to district technology programs, Eureka Math resources will be made available to parents upon request. Materials include activity sheets that cover high priority grade level content. We will also be providing Homework Helpers. Homework Helpers provide step-by-step explanations of how to work problems similar to those found in Eureka Math assignments. We are also providing a series of videos designed to help students in grades one through eight work through the content. Students are able to access Eureka Math Videos on their device by visiting the district website and clicking on AMI Information. If you are interested in these resources please contact your building principal.
Need Help?
If you need help with district technology programs, please email the classroom teacher or contact the building principal. Assistance is available Monday through Friday from 7:30 am to 3:30 pm.
Grades 9-12
From April 6 through April 17, students in grades 9-12 will receive instruction through Google Classroom or be able to access material through the teachers’ Lesson Plan Folder. If internet access is not an option, teachers will provide paper packets of AMI work. Students should follow their teachers’ directions regarding the submission of weekly assignments. Students in grades 9-12 will participate in all scheduled classes in order to meet credit requirements.
OPTION TWO
Grades PreK-8
Beginning Monday, April 6, students in grades K-8 will be provided access to instructional materials developed by the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education in collaboration with the Arkansas Public Broadcasting Service (PBS). Arkansas PBS will alter its regular television programming to provide age-appropriate educational content for three specific grade bands (PK-2, 3-5, 6-8).
How to Watch
Tune in to Arkansas PBS to watch Arkansas Alternative Methods of Instruction (AMI) over the air or through your cable or satellite provider. Arkansas PBS is also available through the Engage Arkansas PBS app. Simply download the free app for access to AMI instructional materials, videos and related resources. Arkansas PBS will feature five Arkansas Teachers of the Year hosting segments of each AMI day. The daily schedule beginning weekdays at 8:00 am will be divided into the following programming blocks:
8:00 am - 9:30 am: Grades Pre-K-2
9:30 am - 11:00 am: Grades 3-5
11:00 am - 1:00 pm: Grades 6-8
Viewers in Northeast Arkansas can tune in to KTEJ, channel 19 over the air using an indoor or outdoor antenna. Arkansas PBS is also available through select cable and satellite providers. More information about how to watch can be found at myarkansaspbs.org/channelinformation.
Learn More
See the schedule and other resources at myarkansaspbs.org/arkansasami.
Need Help?
If you need help with the broadcast or finding Arkansas PBS on TV, contact Arkansas PBS at 800-662-2386 or info@myarkansaspbs.org. If you need help with educational instruction, contact the Arkansas PBS education team at 501-682-0317 or AMIhelp@myarkansaspbs.org. Assistance is available Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm.
If you miss the live broadcast, the AMI instructional content and shows will be available online after 4:00 pm on the same day of broadcast. Click here to connect to the website: https://www.myarkansaspbs.org/ArkansasAMI.
Thank you for your continued support. If you have any questions regarding options for Alternative Methods of Instruction (AMI), please contact your child’s teacher(s) through email. All teachers are available through email Monday through Friday from 7:30 am - 3:30 pm.