A Day in the Life: Third-Fifth Grade

As learners grow into upper elementary school, their days with CPDLF begin to feel more structured and personalized. For students in grades 3 through 5, we build on the strong foundation established in earlier grades while encouraging more independence, deeper engagement, and greater responsibility. From Morning Meetings to personalized learning paths, each day is thoughtfully designed to balance academic rigor, social-emotional development, and meaningful connection. Here's a look into a typical day in the life of a 3rd–5th grade cyber school student.

A Day in the Life

Our late elementary learners’ days tend to follow the same routine with three in-person requirements:

9:00 am Morning Meeting (30 minutes)
10:00 am Live Lesson (30 minutes)
10:30 am 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 so learners have the opportunity to get up and move. The total in-person, live commitment per day is no more than an hour and a half each day for learners who are on track with their coursework. 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 (9:00 am)

We kick off each school day with a virtual Morning Meeting. This time could include a feelings check-in, question of the day, movement break, and a "word of the day" activity. These daily rituals energize our bodies to ignite our minds. We also review schedules and expectations for the day. This consistent start not only helps students mentally prepare for learning but also builds a sense of classroom community, even in a virtual environment. This is also the perfect time to go over the course work for the week and review the due dates.

Catch-Up Crew (9:30 am)

Immediately following the Morning Meeting, learners who need additional support can join Catch-Up Crew. This optional session offers targeted help for students who want extra time, are falling behind, or simply need a concept explained another way. A paraprofessional joins the instructor to support learners with questions and ensure no one feels left behind. It's a powerful resource for reinforcing skills and building confidence. It also provides more opportunities for face-to-face instruction and engagement.

Live Lesson (10:00 am)

At 10:00 AM, students join their virtual classroom again for a Live Lesson focused on one core subject—either English Language Arts (ELA), Math, Science, or Social Studies. These interactive sessions combine full-class discussions, smaller breakout groups, and individual exploration of key topics. Lessons are dynamic, fun, and aligned with the academic standards for each grade level.

Small Group (10:30 am)

After the Live Lesson, students break into 30-minute small groups. These are leveled groups tailored to each learner's current understanding of the material. Whether a student needs to fill in gaps, keep pace, or be challenged with more advanced content, the small group environment ensures instruction meets them where they are. This customized approach helps all students feel successful and supported. If the class has a live lesson in ELA, they’ll work on Math or Social Studies or Science during small group instruction so that each day covers multiple subjects and the class doesn’t “work on one subject once and then forget it the rest of the week.” Skills are continuously reinforced while learners are provided multiple opportunities to review materials and learn at their own level.

Lunch Break (12:30 pm)

All students take a mid-day break to enjoy lunch, reset, and get ready for the independent portion of the day.

Afternoon: Independent Learning & Support

The afternoon is when students shift into more independent work. Guided by the Daily and Weekly Planners provided each Monday, students complete their assignments at their own pace. Learning Coaches (parents and guardians) provide help as needed, but as students become more comfortable with course content and technology, they gain increasing independence.

Live-recorded modules are available for students to revisit as needed. Teachers keep their calendars open in the afternoons for drop-in support, one-on-one instruction, or ad-hoc group sessions. Some students choose to stay in the Zoom room to work independently alongside peers and instructors. This hybrid structure blends the best of traditional and home-based learning.

Ways CPDLF Goes Above & Beyond for Grades 3-5

Flexibility AND Structure

Each week, students receive a Weekly Planner that outlines assignments and expectations by course. For students who prefer more day-to-day structure, a Daily Planner offers a simplified, task-oriented format. Everything is due by Sunday evening, and assignments can be revised multiple times to improve understanding and performance. These "soft zeros" encourage mastery without penalty, promoting persistence and growth. CPDLF learners come to understand that a “failure” doesn’t mean it’s time to quit: it means it is time to understand where you went wrong and try again until you get it right.

Communication Tools

Throughout the school day, communication is seamless. Google Chat is always open for students and parents to ask questions and get real-time support. For younger students, we use talk-to-text features to help them communicate even if they’re not yet ready to compose written messages. This ensures every student has a voice and can access the resources they need to be successful.

Socialization and Connection

Social-emotional learning is baked into the CPDLF experience. Morning Meetings include time for sharing stories, showing off pets, and chatting about life. It’s like digital show-and-tell that fosters empathy and connections between students: in addition to becoming comfortable with public speaking and self-advocacy, we’re also learning how to listen.

Students can also join "Brunch Bunch," a dedicated time for playing games and socializing with peers. As learners get older, they gain access to expanded chat capabilities so they can connect with friends across grades and classrooms. Digital citizenship is an important part of this transition—students learn when and how to engage respectfully and responsibly.

We also encourage families to explore homeschool groups or community-based programs to supplement in-person socialization. Whether it’s through extracurriculars, Learning Center visits, or organized virtual hangouts, our goal is to create an inclusive, connected learning community that sets learners up for success after graduation.

Social-Emotional Learning: Connects U

In upper elementary grades, students begin a more personalized approach to social-emotional learning through our Connects U program. At the beginning of the year, students take a course called "Setting Up for Success" to help them find their ideal learning environment and build healthy study habits.

Each quarter, students choose four SEL "badges" to work toward, based on their self-assessed strengths and areas for growth. Topics include self-management (self-awareness, relationships, decision-making, responsibility), diversified occupations (career exploration), and other areas to build resilient, introspective, and creative kids.

School counselors also visit Morning Meetings to support SEL instruction and reinforce skills. The badge system allows students to take ownership of their development and pursue skills that matter most to them.

A Strong Foundation for Lifelong Learning

Our 3rd–5th grade cyber learners are engaged, supported, and growing every day. With a mix of live instruction, small groups, independent study, and robust communication tools, CPDLF creates a dynamic virtual environment that empowers learners to take charge of their education. Whether they’re mastering math, exploring science, or learning how to be a good friend, our students are developing the skills they need to succeed—now and in the future.

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!