Skip to main content
District
  1. Departments
  2. Academics
  3. Alternative Methods of Instruction (AMI)

Alternative Methods of Instruction (AMI)

The Lincoln County R-III School District, in accordance with guidelines presented by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), has developed a plan for providing quality education in situations when our school buildings can not be open safely. 

In the instance of a school closure or change to our regular schedule, the District will provide updates to all families through a number of channels as quickly as possible. This includes local television and radio news stations, the District website, ParentSquare App, phone, text, and email. You can find more information about inclement weather practices at https://www.troy.k12.mo.us/Page/111.  

In the case of AMI usage for inclement weather, LCR3 K-12 teachers would be expected to make assignments available in our learning management system, Canvas, for students to complete at home. Therefore, since work would be completed at home, these instructional hours would still be counted toward the total hours required by the DESE for the school year. Individual attendance would be marked with the completion of assignments. 

As AMI does take some advanced planning (We all know the weather in Missouri is unpredictable!), most likely, we will not utilize AMI for all inclement weather days. However, when we receive a fairly accurate prediction of severe weather, we can prepare and send iPads, chargers, and other necessary materials home with students. The District's main goal with the utilization of AMI is to keep students reading, writing, and thinking critically even when they can't be at school. 

  • It is important to note that television news channels will continue to say that school is closed. However, in all other forms of communication, AMI will be noted. These communications may include phone calls, text messages, emails, as well as district website and social media updates. Your child will also be notified prior to leaving school and their teacher will provide them with the materials they will need to complete assignments from home. 

    Due to a difference in schedules, or in the instance that the emergency closure does not impact all campuses, there may be a time when some grades utilize AMI and others do not. This will be specified in communications to parents and students. 

  • Teachers Pre-k- 5 will communicate via their normal modes of communication.  For elementary (K-5), teachers will post the assignments in their courses in Canvas or Schoolwork. Students may work on these assignments as their schedule permits. Each subject will contain an assignment which should take about 10-15 minutes. Students must complete assignments to receive credit for attendance.

  • Prior to the use of an AMI day, the District will provide information regarding the availability and use of hotspot devices or LTE service. 

  • Teachers will establish and communicate their office hours for the day. This will be either one sixty-minute time frame or two, thirty-minute time frames where the teacher will be available on Zoom or Google Meet to answer any questions or just check-in. Teachers will share their office hours in the announcements section of their course. You can also reach teachers via their school email addresses or ParentSquare during regular school hours. 

  • Students will need to submit the assigned tasks for AMI in Canvas or Schoolwork in order to receive credit for attendance for the AMI day. If they are unable to complete their assignment during an AMI day, they will have a window of opportunity to do so upon returning to campus which will be communicated by their teacher.  Time in the classroom to complete the work will be extremely limited and need to be completed at home as time within the classroom cannot be guaranteed.  If they do not submit the work, they will be counted absent for the day.

  • During an AMI day, students will be submitting assignments for reading, writing, word work, math, science or social studies, and their special for that day (art, music, physical education, Project Lead the Way, or library). 

  • If a student experiences a technical issue while completing school work at home, we ask that parents reach out to the child’s teacher via email. If your child’s teacher can not resolve the issue, the teacher will reach out to our Instructional Technology Facilitators. 

  • It is important to note that television news channels will continue to say that school is closed. However, in all other forms of communication, AMI will be noted. The District’s primary platform for communication to families and employees is ParentSquare (available in all app stores). These communications may include phone calls, text messages, emails, as well as district website and social media updates. We will also strive to be sure that your child is notified prior to leaving school and their teacher will provide them with the materials they will need to complete assignments from home. 

    Due to a difference in schedules, or in the instance the emergency closure does not impact all campuses, there may be a time when some grades utilize AMI and others do not. This will be specified in communications to parents and students. 

    Due to a difference in schedules, there may be a time when some grades utilize AMI and others do not. This will be specified in communications to parents and students.

  • Teachers will post an announcement in Canvas by 9:00 a.m. on AMI days with the tasks for students to complete for the day. Students may work on these assignments as their schedule permits. Each class will assign 20-30 minutes worth of work, and students should complete assignments to receive credit for attendance.

  • Prior to the use of an AMI day, the District will provide information regarding the availability and use of hotspot devices or LTE service. 

  • Teachers may be reached via email or ParentSquare throughout the day and will be available on Google Meet or Zoom for office hours from 10:00-11:00 a.m. (9-12) and 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. (6-8). The Google Meet or Zoom link will be posted in Canvas.  

  • Students will need to submit the assigned tasks for AMI in Canvas or Schoolwork in order to receive credit for attendance for the AMI day. If they are unable to complete their assignment during an AMI day, they will have a window of opportunity to do so upon returning to campus which will be communicated by their teacher.  Time in the classroom to complete the work will be extremely limited and need to be completed at home as time within the classroom cannot be guaranteed.  If they do not submit the work, they will be counted absent for the day.

  • Grades 6-8: During an AMI day, students will be submitting assignments for all their classes except WIN.  Students could have up to 7 class assignments or activities to complete on those days.

    Grades 9-12: During an AMI day, students will be submitting assignments for either their Purple or Gold day classes.  Students could have up to 4 class assignments or activities to complete on those days. 

  • If a student experiences a technical issue while completing school work at home, we ask that parents reach out to the child’s teacher via email. If your child’s teacher can not resolve the issue, the teacher will reach out to our Instructional Technology Facilitators.