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The Out-of-Door Academy Goes Virtual

ODA Students and Faculty embraced new terrain with a full week of virtual learning. Watch some highlights from their lessons in this video montage.
Each day this week, Lower School teachers in Pre-K through grade 3 shared videos for their morning meetings, which included reading stories, posing daily questions, and recording Specials activities for students to respond to utilizing SeeSaw. This interactive instruction was in addition to the worksheets and manipulatives sent home in their bags with their iPads last week. Students in 4th and 5th grade began using the Zoom application early this week and having live classes with their teachers throughout the day. All were happy to reconnect with their students and reported that lessons with their classes are going well.
 
“I am learning so much about our dear students through online teaching,” said Dr. Linda Vasilaki. “Their individual responses, from singing or playing a piece of music, to reflecting upon the music through drawings or recorded/written messages, are revealing unique abilities. I am discovering special gifts within each child through their homework submissions. Some students who might have been too shy to sing alone during class are very comfortable singing from their home on their own iPad recording device. I love the enthusiasm and creativity with which the children are responding to our music activities.”

Middle and Upper School teachers conducted all of their classes through Zoom this week, helping the students to connect with each other as well as their teachers. From music and chorus, to physics and Mandarin, all classes have been successful in using the new online platform to resume teaching where they left off.

Faculty members say that although teaching in this manner is a new experience, they are receiving the training and support they need for success. “It is a new territory, exciting and fascinating,” said Mrs. Yadira Kirschner. “I have a lot of support from the community and many resources available.”  

Teachers are reporting that students are adjusting quickly, and have been extremely positive about their new educational delivery system.

“My classes have been amazing. The students have been patient, resilient, respectful, and kept up with the pace of the class and the assignments,” said Mrs. Kathy Dozier. “It has gone so much better than I thought it would thanks to the fact that we were trained well, had the time to prepare, and have remarkable kids.”

ODA is very proud of the dedication all of our teachers have shown to get this new platform up and running. We appreciate the support and patience of our families.
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The Out-of-Door Academy

LOWER SCHOOL |  Historic Siesta Key Campus  |  Pre-K – Grade 5
444 Reid Street, Sarasota, FL 34242  |  941-349-3223  |  Fax: 941-349-8133

LOWER SCHOOL |  Lower School Campus on Clark Road  |  Pre-K – Grade 1
11011 Clark Rd, Sarasota, FL 34241   |  COMING SOON

MIDDLE & UPPER SCHOOLS
  |  Uihlein Campus in Lakewood Ranch  |  Grades 6 – 8 |  Grades 9 – 12
5950 Deer Drive, Sarasota, FL 34240  |  941-349-3223  |  Fax: 941-907-1251
The Out-of-Door Academy does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, physical ability, religion, sex, age, gender, sexual orientation, or national origin.
The Out-of-Door Academy is an equal opportunity employer.

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