A Day in the Life: Kindergarten-Second Grade
A Day in the Life
Our youngest learners’ days tend to follow the same routine with three in-person requirements:
- 9:30 am Morning Meeting (30 minutes)
- 10:00 am Live Lesson (30 minutes)
- 1:00 pm Small Group (30 minutes)
The rest of the day is their own time to work on assignments. We tell parents and guardians (“Learning Coaches”) to plan for about an hour and a half of live, in-person time (that is scheduled) and maybe another hour for assignments. We build in lots of breaks throughout the day because we know younger learners find it harder to focus after 30 minutes. The total in-person, live commitment per day is no more than an hour and a half each day. Future Learning Coaches should note that these in-person time commitments are spread out through the day at set times, ensuring consistency while allowing flexibility for independent learning.
Morning Meeting is similar to what brick-and-mortar schools call “circle time.” It’s our way to bring everyone together in “homeroom” to talk about the day ahead, review the calendar, reinforce some skills (like weather, counting, and more), and share with fellow classmates. Each day tends to follow a theme. For example, Mondays are often about sharing with the class what you did over the weekend. This builds confidence and public speaking, and listening skills. Fridays often include story time with a book that fits the week’s theme.
Morning Meeting is also where we discuss the lessons our learners have that day and how we will manage our time.
For K-2 learners at CPDLF, we focus on one subject per day. This means that one day is dedicated to Math, one to English Language Arts, one to Science and Social Studies (combined for our youngest learners - this changes after second grade), one to Social Emotional Learning, and one to their elective, which changes each quarter. Electives include Art, Music, Fitness Fun, and American Sign Language.
Live lessons guide learners through subject matter to help them master concepts. You might equate this to “lecture” time from high school or college—but it’s much more engaging for young learners. We incorporate singing, movement, and interaction to keep students engaged.
Small Group time is where we break into smaller groups and work on a deeper understanding of what was introduced during the Live Lesson. You might equate Small Group time to “classwork.” This is the time to work together and make sure those skills are really solid before independent practice.
Small Groups personalize each learner’s experience: children are placed into small groups based on skill level. Your child’s small group may be different for each subject, and they have the flexibility to move between levels as needed. This ensures children can advance in areas where they excel while receiving extra support where needed, reducing frustration and boredom.
At CPDLF, we get to know your child on an individual level to understand their skills and abilities so that we are able to see what support they require in order to grow. This means that assessing needs is not a one-time event or something that only happens when there is a problem - and a parent or guardian brings it to our attention. The observation and assessment doesn’t end at CPDLF.
Because of the unique nature of online education at our school, we are able to invest more time to determine what each individual child needs in order to be successful. This includes one-on-one support and individualized time with the teacher to go over material, receive extra tutoring, and to communicate feedback between the teacher and Learning Coach.
Homework for Kindergarteners
All learners at CPDLF have assignments outside of live sessions. These are age-appropriate and based on each child’s skill level. Each Monday, learners receive a full week’s worth of assignments, which they can complete at their own pace before the Sunday night deadline. This allows families to tailor the learning schedule to what works best for them—whether tackling assignments in one sitting or spreading them out across the week.
What Parents & Guardians Need to Know About Cyber School
There’s a lot to cyber school - and CPDLF’s methods - that parents and guardians (Learning Coaches) need to know for our youngest learners to be successful here. We have high expectations for all students enrolled with us. This includes participation and homework completion. Cyber school is not meant to be an “easy way out.” Learning Coaches play a crucial role in helping young learners navigate our online platforms, log into live sessions, complete assignments, and actively participate in class discussions.
At CPDLF, we believe education is about more than just reading, writing, and math. It’s also about preparing children to navigate life successfully—academically, socially, and emotionally. That’s why we incorporate essential life skills into our Kindergarten through Second Grade curriculum to help young learners develop self-motivation, confidence, and the ability to work well with others.
In these early years, children are still learning how to:
✅ Pay attention and follow directions
✅ Handle frustration and keep trying when things are hard
✅ Work well with classmates and teachers
✅ Understand their own emotions and communicate effectively
These skills don’t just help in school—they set children up for success in life. Employers today say that being responsible, adaptable, and able to collaborate are just as important as academic knowledge. By learning these skills early, our students grow into adults who can take initiative, solve problems, and work well with others—things that matter in any career or community.
Social emotional learning is about preparing kids for real-world success. Our approach is simple: We help students learn how to focus, be responsible, and treat others with respect—because those are skills that never go out of style. One of the ways we help our youngest learners with acquiring these skills in a way that makes sense to them is with the help of Bouncy, a loveable dog character. Each learner enrolled receives their very own stuffed Bouncy and access to programs that help them reduce tantrums, strengthen bonds, improve ability to self-regulate, and foster a sense of belonging.
What About Socialization?
CPDLF encourages all Learning Coaches to get their child involved in activities outside of the school setting. We do have virtual clubs, like Art Club and Gaming Club, as well as “Snack Pack,” which is an informal time to gather for conversations and take virtual tours with instructors while enjoying snack time. As your child gets older, you may want to explore options to join the school on trips abroad over summer break. These activities do not replace the need for regular in-person socialization. We recommend exploring options in your community and home district for on-going activities and options for continuing education, like your local library, sports clubs, theatre programs, volunteering, and more.
CPDLF’s Expectations for Learners
People often have a misconception about cyber school being “easy” or perhaps they mean easy to fake participation and that kids can skate through. For CPDLF, that couldn’t be further from the truth. In fact, we have high expectations for learners - from attendance to participation to subject mastery. Learners and families who come to CPDLF with the expectation that they can sail through or skate by will normally end up being unenrolled and sent back to their brick-and-mortar district due to lack of attendance.
No matter how young our learners are, we have similar high expectations for participation and engagement with their school work. We track attendance for each live session and keep an eye on homework completion to catch families that may be struggling with this expectation. Once we have noticed a pattern, we work with the Learning Coach and learner to ensure we have an empathetic understanding of anything that might be going on at home or ways we can adjust to fit your child’s needs. Most attendance and participation issues can be resolved and learners go on to have a successful experience with CPDLF and remain on-track to receive their Pennsylvania diplomas with us.
Ready to Enroll?
At CPDLF, we believe that cyber school can be a powerful and effective option for early education when built on structure, support, and engagement. Our program is designed not only to teach academic fundamentals but also to help young learners develop the skills they need for lifelong success. With small group learning, flexible scheduling, and strong parental involvement, CPDLF provides an educational experience that is both rigorous and rewarding. Whether families are looking for a safe learning environment, a more customized approach, or the flexibility to explore the world beyond the classroom, our cyber school model offers a pathway to success for every child. Let’s start the conversation to explore enrollment for your child!