End of the Year
Hybrid Learning Week 1: A New Normal
What a surreal week it was welcoming students back to the classroom after over a year away. When I imagined how this day would go, I imagined a lot of chaos, countless reminders about keeping apart and wearing masks, and a feeling uneasy about everything. In reality, I had nothing to worry about. This week was filled with joy and laughter echoing through once empty halls. We talked, we learned, we reconnected with old friends and made new ones. We kept the academics to a minimum and community building took center stage.
Distance Learning Weeks 1 & 2
What a strange and different way to start off my 6th year as a teacher. It was difficult to imagine what it would be like to welcome students into my virtual classroom, many of whom I had never met before. Would we be able to establish routines? Could we still build community online? How do I make sure that these kids feel loved and supported when I can't be near them?
As it turns out, you CAN build community online. And you CAN make students feel seen and loved. And you CAN establish routines without being in a classroom space. What I've learned the past two weeks is to let go of any preconceived ideas of what education "should be" and step wholeheartedly into the world of "something different." Kids don't need mountains of online work to keep busy all day -- they need a handful of well thought-out assignments that stretch their brains and teach them new ways of interacting in a digital world. We spent most of these two weeks simply working on learning the ins and outs of all the websites we are using for our online work, and most importantly we got to know each other.
I have learned that my class is full of kind, curious and loving kids who are eager to learn and be more independent. They are working on sending me emails if they need to ask a question, taking turns during large Zoom meetings if multiple people want to talk, and finding the joy in silly dance parties and mid-Zoom stretch breaks. I am excited to see where the rest of this year takes us and am confident that no matter whether we stay online or come back in person, these kids will do great things.
As it turns out, you CAN build community online. And you CAN make students feel seen and loved. And you CAN establish routines without being in a classroom space. What I've learned the past two weeks is to let go of any preconceived ideas of what education "should be" and step wholeheartedly into the world of "something different." Kids don't need mountains of online work to keep busy all day -- they need a handful of well thought-out assignments that stretch their brains and teach them new ways of interacting in a digital world. We spent most of these two weeks simply working on learning the ins and outs of all the websites we are using for our online work, and most importantly we got to know each other.
I have learned that my class is full of kind, curious and loving kids who are eager to learn and be more independent. They are working on sending me emails if they need to ask a question, taking turns during large Zoom meetings if multiple people want to talk, and finding the joy in silly dance parties and mid-Zoom stretch breaks. I am excited to see where the rest of this year takes us and am confident that no matter whether we stay online or come back in person, these kids will do great things.