Snow Day?

I missed my first two school visits to Turning Point Learning Center due to bad weather. How disappointing. Even though the school district was closed, Turning Point was still in session virtually. The students were expected to log on by 9:15 am and participate in a small group chat with their advising teacher until 10:00, at which point the teacher gave them individual schedules of activities to complete. Here are the directions for the day: "Read carefully and if you have questions, read again. If you still have questions, ask a classmate. If you still have the same question, then ask your advisory teacher. ASK YOUR ADVISORY TEACHER ONLY AFTER YOU'VE ASKED ANOTHER KID or TWO."
My colleague, Melissa, shared the following description of what her son did that day (thanks for sharing, Melissa): The schedule has choice and flexibility, yet is also structured. He was given a five minute break to move from advising and to begin his schedule. He went to the kitchen to get a drink and then he sat back down to begin to search for a science fair project idea. He set his timer to remind him when he needed to have his science completed so he can move to his next requirement for the day and stay on schedule. It is interesting to watch him manage his tasks! He is having a blast!!! They are also required to do one "fun" activity today during the snow day as well. Keyghan is trying to decide if he will create an imovie of him making a fun lunch or "make a flake" on the snowflakes everywhere website. He laughed out loud when she told them when they could break for lunch, but NOT to eat it at their computer!

He can log off at 1:30 to "enjoy" the remainder of the snow day! I believe he is having the most fun for this day right now. They will not have to make up this day since they have officially had school. I am once again amazed at how this works....but most of all at Keyghan's enthusiasm about being "in school"! He carefully set his alarm last night to make sure he was up and logged in at exactly the right time. He has not complained and I have heard him laugh and enjoy what he is doing several times already. Isn't learning fun!!!!!!
What a concept - to continue having school when there is no school. Learning is no longer contained within the school walls, during the school scheduled time. Choice, flexibility are the key. I would venture to guess that Keyghan was not the only one who enjoyed having some structure to their snow day (students as well as parents). I know that students at Turning Point are also expected to log on when they are home sick (unless the illness is extreme). I am curious about how this whole concept changes the ways we teach and the ways students learn.