On March 13, 2020 our school found out that we would be transitioning to distance learning, something new to all teachers and students. I knew as a teacher, it was beneficial to establish new routines and expectations as my students learned from home. Check out what this experience was like for my class and me.

Teaching during the pandemic was a challenging experience that pushed me to adapt and change in ways I did not know were possible. I had to learn how to provide both beneficial synchronous and asynchronous learning to my students. I was teaching 3/4 and then 4/5 during this time. I was fortunate enough to have my same students for both years so distance learning in the fall was a bit easier because I knew my students, their approximate academic levels, and who they were as individuals.

From March to May, and August to November my students were learning from home. My day was divided into periods where I would have my whole class, one grade, and small groups. When my students were not learning with me directly, they were working on asynchronous work. Students were given a week at a glance and their weekly schedules so they knew when they were Zooming and when they were independently working. Their assignments were then posted in Google Classroom.

In November of 2020, we were able to return to in person learning. This was still much different than a normal classroom setting as students had to remain physically distanced and wear masks. I also had some families who chose to continue distance learning. These students at home would Zoom in for some instruction during the day and then they would be working asynchronously for the other parts of the day. I would also meet with my at home learners to provide them the support that they needed.

• Google Classroom for Learning Management System

• Class Dojo for announcements

• Google Docs, Slides, Forms

• Quizizz

• Padlet

• Nearpod

• Freckle

• Students submitting work on the Learning Management System

• Google Docs and Slides for collaboration

• Nearpod

• Quizizz

• Teacher Collaboration

• SEL check-ins

• Adaptive Software