Post date: May 29, 2020 3:03:51 PM
Greetings, Ravens! I hope everyone is doing well and that you've all had an amazing week thus far! Before I jump into "normal" class information (well, the current form of "normal" that we're all living with at the moment), I wanted to share a virtual calming sensory room I ran across online for those who might be interested. While I always hope that everyone is doing well, I know the reality is that many are struggling with difficulties, whether it's related to COVID-19 or other struggles in life, and that anxieties and stress might be high because of this. While the resources in the virtual calming sensory room will not eliminate the difficulties, I hope they might help folks focus, clear their head space, and bring an overall calming affect even if it's just for a little while. If you click around the image, it will take you to videos of crashing waves, bubbling brooks, and swimming fish. It's a resource I'll start sharing with students every year in hopes that it will help with some of the stress of school (testing anxiety, fights with friends, etc.). I hope it's at least a little helpful to you!
Now onto the "normal" class happenings! Tomorrow will wrap up the teacher-provided materials for the year and next week the county has created a packet of materials for each school level. The math content is located on page 17 of this packet and I have to admit that I'm less than thrilled with what has been included for math. If students and families are looking for a few more options, during yesterday's conference I gave students a list of additional things they can do over the next two weeks to wrap up the school year.
Review old materials from the year; digital content from Google Classroom can be found under "Archived Classes" as well as in students' Google Drive
Other unit work from Ms. Lambert's class folders (MSM2 & Math 7H)
ALEKS (accessible from the Backpack - McGrawHill - on students' MyCCPS dashboard)
Code.org - Site that teaches coding; it's been one of my end-of-year projects since 2016 to complete their Computer Science in Algebra program with students
Legends of Learning - Free math and science games
Banzai! - Financial literacy program
I gave students their login information for Code.org, Legends of Learning, and Banzai! earlier in the school year, but if they've forgotten or lost their logins, they can message me and I'll happily send them the information again. If students want resources for specific areas or need additional recommendations, feel free to reach out! That even includes throughout the summer, though I try to disconnect from my school accounts a little to refocus and reconnect with family and friends, so I might be a little slower in responding once school officially ends.
I'll continue holding my regular live class sessions on Tuesdays and Thursdays starting at 9:30AM and running until about 10:30AM all the way through June 11th. I'll happily help with any questions kids might have regarding math, coding, school in general (as long as I have those answers... I'm just as unsure about what next year will look like as the next person at this point), or even just to provide a little break in their day. We might attempt one of my other end-of-year activities (origami... not sure how easy that will be in a virtual setting), go on a few more virtual field trips, and of course play our now traditional Gimkits as time permits during the last four sessions. The "Math Monday" tutoring is still mostly on for June 1st and 8th, but there's been a slight change in the schedule, which has been updated on the Math 7 Canvas group homepage. I'm sticking with my 6:45-8PM time slot for those who need to work later in the day and can't login for the earlier opportunities.
Again I'd like to remind folks that CCPS teachers will be calling to check in with families next week. At EDMS, we've divided up the phone calls so you don't get overwhelmed hearing from every single teacher, so you might not be hearing from me directly, but if you see the Google Voice number I've included in my last couple emails, then that's just me checking in!
That should about do for this week's update. As always, feel free to email, message, or call if you have any questions or I can help in anyway. I send you all my love and of course hope that you are all staying safe, happy, and healthy!