Teaching Virtually

1. Start Simple!

Focus on connecting/communicating in this remote environment in ways you are comfortable so you can build a positive relationship with your students (and their caregivers who may be needing to help throughout the week). Stick to what will be simple for you at this time and slowly build. Your students will likely need a lot of repetition, so don't rush yourself and remember that the human element of the video connection is about your relationship with your students (see the graphic below to DitchThatTextbook tips). 

How to Make Distance Teaching Sustainable (and Avoid Burn-Out)

Remember, the tortoise won the race!

2. Collaborate - Check out what we can do using Currents!

Reach out to colleagues and consultants for support when needed. There are plenty of great ideas and resources online, but it can seem like a rabbit hole that draws you in for endless hours.

• It may be helpful to contact your curriculum consultant to locate resources to support you  (Mary Day Mauro, Nicole Morris Palma or Sonja Whitehead).

• Commit to planning with a colleague or two.

• Join your SMCDSB Currents Community for resource sharing in your teaching division with schedules, activities, choice boards, etc.

3. Flow of the Day

Minimize transitions -  plan your flow of the day to include whole group, small group and to allow for students to routinely work synchronously on their own (as they would in the classroom).

Be clear about times to return to the Meet/Zoom meeting. Use a timer to help students with tasks and to know when to return. (Here's a link to a timer that you could "Present" on screen or insert on a Google Slide presentation: online timers and a simple digital timer

Routines & Suggestions for Synchronous and Asynchronous blocks (Click to access these in Slides)

Sample Flow of the Day: Kindergarten & Grades 1-8

Please feel welcome to make a copy of individual slides that you find helpful to use in your day.

Here's a slide with O Canada and another with Morning Prayer.

Suggestions for Synchronous - Whole Group; and for Synchronous - Small Group

Sample Breakdown for Literacy Block

Please feel welcome to share your ideas with Elementary consultants who are working to support your teaching  (Mary, Nicole, and Sonja).

4. Think beyond the clock

Build positive relationships in the virtual classroom environment. Your students will also need to express themselves in this new environment. 

Take time to create and establish norms for synchronous learning together

• practice non-verbal communication: hands up, thumbs up for agreement/like/yes, thumbs down for disagreement/dislike/no

• when you introduce a new tool/tech allot time for play and exploration before structuring a learning activity around it

Remember to keep home responsibilities in mind knowing that families may be dealing with difficult realities. Let students know that you understand this and will maintain flexibility with assignments and deadlines. It is important to keep the lines of communication open however messaging should also be kept to a minimum. 

Provide Parents/Guardians/Caregivers with information to help with the student's ability to connect without having to use you as tech-support throughout the day: 

• Guardians' Guide to Google Meet  https://services.google.com/fh/files/misc/guardians_guide_to_google_meet.pdf

• Guardians' Guide to Google Classroom https://services.google.com/fh/files/misc/guardians_guide_to_classroom_march_2020.pdf

In online learning, there is always a possibility of technical difficulties. Just like in face-to-face learning, it is important for teachers to be flexible and have alternative options for lessons and activities. If a technical difficulty occurs, be honest with your students! Not only will they probably start giving you alternative ideas they think will be fun, but it will help to humanize the online learning environment and create a connection as you troubleshoot the learning experience together.

• Develop protocols and norms about using Google Meet/Zoom "just in case" technology gets in the way

• Create groupings to discuss/work/play online together (with Zoom breakout rooms. Breakout rooms are not available in our version of Google Education)

• It never hurts to have a few "Would you rather...?"  or Which One Doesn't Belong? questions on hand.