Elementary Framework
Reduced Screen Time at School: A Framework for Elementary Schools
Objective
During the Spring 2025 semester, elementary teachers, administrators, and school teams will reflect, collaborate, and establish shared expectations to reduce screen time during the school day. This initiative reflects our commitment to fostering developmentally appropriate and engaging learning environments for elementary students.
By thoughtfully limiting the use of school-provided devices during the elementary instructional day, we aim to foster a learning environment centered on teacher-led instruction, hands-on learning, and meaningful student interaction. Devices will be used selectively and only when they enhance learning experiences, ensuring that instructional time remains purposeful, engaging, and developmentally appropriate. Our specific goals include:
Why Reduce Screen Time?
- Encourage Interpersonal Connections
- Foster collaboration and communication skills through teacher-led instruction and peer interaction.
- Promote Hands-On Learning Experiences
- Prioritize tactile and experiential activities to spark creativity and problem-solving.
- Strengthen Foundational Skills
- Focus on academic and social-emotional development during critical formative years.
Action Plan
Timeline:
- January 2025
- Collect baseline data and continue to share the initiative with staff and families.
- February 2025
- Finalize shared expectations, develop grade-level guidelines, and introduce sample schedules.
- March 2025
- Provide professional development and release teacher resources for reduced screen time.
- April-May 2025
- Monitor implementation, track progress, and conduct classroom observations.
- End of May 2025
- Gather final feedback, celebrate successes, and plan for Fall 2025.
Identifying Current Practices
- Assess Screen Use
- Collect data on how and when devices are used during the school day.
- Review curriculum documents and analyze time spent on screens per content area.
- Teacher & Student Feedback
- Survey teachers and students to understand challenges, preferences, and alternative ideas.
Establishing Shared Expectations
- Grade-Level Guidelines
- Develop age-appropriate screen time expectations across grade levels.
- Define Intentional Use
- Establish a district-wide definition of sparing, purposeful device use, with specific examples.
- Sample Schedules
- Develop and share sample schedules that emphasize reduced screen time and alternative activities.
Supporting Staff
- Professional Development
- Conduct PD on implementing non-digital instructional strategies.
- Focus on engaging students actively during tech use (e.g., Ci3T active supervision).
- Collaborate with instructional coaches to provide customized PD sessions.
- Review the Technology Rich Classroom (Jana’s area) resources.
- Resource Availability
- Ensure access to books, manipulatives, science kits, and non-digital materials.
- Review the elementary district app catalog with Sherri Fowler to evaluate purposeful app usage.
- Review the Technology Rich Classroom (Jana’s area) resources.
- Collaboration Time
- Dedicate time for teachers to share strategies and co-create lesson plans.
- Develop grade-level teaching lessons to educate students about decreasing device use.
Engaging Stakeholders
- Parents & Guardians
- Communicate the benefits of reducing screen time and suggest support at home.
- Create common communication and educational documents to be shared with families on school and district webpage, Lawrence media (Lawrence Times and LJW)
- Students
- Incorporate student voices by discussing their preferred non-digital activities.
- Incorporate no-tech challenges into school-wide morning meetings.
Measuring Impact
- Tracking Usage
- Develop tools for teachers to record and reflect on classroom device use.
- Observation & Feedback
- Conduct classroom visits to assess engagement and gather feedback from students, teachers, and families.
- Regular Reviews
- Hold periodic check-ins to evaluate progress, address challenges, and refine the approach.
- Celebrating Success
- Highlight and share best practices across schools through newsletters, school events, and district updates.
Discussion Points
- What are the current barriers to reducing screen time, and how can we address them?
- What resources or professional development opportunities would most benefit teachers?
- How can schools measure the impact of this initiative effectively?
- Are there creative strategies schools already use that could be shared across the district?
Next Steps
- Gather baseline data on current device usage.
- Develop shared expectations and sample schedules.
- Plan immediate and professional development opportunities for Fall 2025.
- Establish a system for tracking progress and gathering feedback.
- Celebrate successes and refine approaches based on feedback and outcomes.
No-Tech/Low-Tech Brainstorm
Themed Days
- Back-to-Basics Day: Focus on pencil-and-paper activities, hands-on projects, and interpersonal communication.
- Unplugged Fridays: Dedicate one Friday to low-tech learning with alternative teaching strategies.
Classroom Preparation Activities
- Device-Free Zones: Designate times or areas for non-device activities.
- Schedule Alternatives: Replace one tech-based activity per day with a hands-on option.
- Teacher Modeling: Demonstrate non-tech approaches to problem-solving and instruction.
Building Excitement Among Students
- Countdown to Unplugged Time: Engage students with a countdown to the initiative’s launch.
- Challenge of the Week: Introduce weekly no-tech challenges, such as collaborative building or storytelling.
- Student Choice: Ask students to vote on their favorite no-tech activities to include in upcoming lessons.
Engaging Families
- No-Tech Homework Ideas: Encourage families to listen to their child read or make a card for a loved one.
- Family Challenges: Promote no-tech evenings and invite families to share experiences.