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Putting a plan in place
Putting a plan in place
1. Keep It Simple
Keep this advice in mind at all times: simplicity is KEY. Whether they are directions for assignments, expectations for learning, communication to parents, it is crucial to add as much simplicity as possible to the situation. Strive to minimize overwhelming your audience.
2. Establish Expectations
When we are very clear as to what we expect, we can minimize confusion and miscommunication. Be very clear and simple with your guidelines. It is also important to have consistent expectations, therefore the Reed Spring School District has developed district-wide expectations with the Alternative Method of Instruction Plan.
3. Delivery Options
Choose a method of delivery that is familiar to students and families and stick with it for the duration. Now is not the time to try new delivery platforms. We suggest SeeSaw for primary and elementary grades and Canvas for upper grades.
4. What About Wifi?
Not every student will have access to WiFi at home. WiFi is available in the High School parking lot for student use.
Paper copies of assignments for grades PreK-6 will be available weekly for parent pick-up. Links to the assignments will be provided on our Extended Learning website.
5. You Can't Communicate Too Much (Or Can You?)
Without transparency and communication, we're setting the stage for rumors, fear, and major confusion. On the other hand, too much information can be difficult to digest. In light of that--and to keep parents in the loop--regular communication should come from the classroom teacher and principal and information kept in one place.
Grade level/content plans will be kept in one place and communicated at the beginning of each week. Links to these plans will be found on our Extended Learning website.
6. Set a Schedule
Go with the "Rule of Three": three lessons per day with three activities (instruction, creation/collaboration, formative). For example, you might push out Writing, Math, and Social Studies on one day and Science, Art, and Language Arts on day two. Reading should be incorporated daily.
Also, take into consideration age appropriateness when designing lessons for your students. Utilize the timing guidelines found in the district's Alternative Method of Instruction Plan.
7. Consolidate Classes
This is an opportune time to lesson-share with other teachers/subjects. Why not combine a lesson that features both art and language arts? Or math and science? Not only does this help lighten the load, it also ensures students aren't missing out on other subjects.
8. Be Flexible
There are definitely going to be some potholes in the road. Expect some bumps, but try not to get frustrated when it happens. Establish guidelines for tasks and encourage students to reach out to you. You may be flooded with parent emails, demands, and concerns, so be sure to establish boundaries for yourself as well. Ask for their patience as you navigate this brave new world! We are all in this together!
9. Be Kind to Yourself
Remember to take good care of yourself! As an educator, you might be feeling overwhelmed and underprepared; you view yourself as the person responsible for making sure your students learn what they need to. But you can't pour from an empty cup, so be sure to get enough rest, laugh with your family, and reach out to your colleagues, who are most likely in the same boat as you.
Consider asking students about ideas for learning and creating. Don't forget you're teaching a group of students unlike any other in history. They may have some great suggestions!
If there's a silver lining in all of this, it's that we're not alone in navigating this new unknown. We encourage you to reach out to other educators via Twitter or other social media platforms. Today's technology tools will help us connect in ways that were never possible before. Don't hesitate to reach out with any and all questions! #OneWiththePack
making it work (Options)
making it work (Options)
10. Connect With a Video
Depending on the students' ages and situation, you are most likely a daily constant in the lives of your students. Keep that going, despite the distance. While it may seem "cringey" recording a video of yourself providing directions or explaining a concept, remember it's not about us--it's about our students. And they need to see us. Ease their anxieties about this new situation or potential feelings of isolation by recording and sharing a daily video that is brief, bright, and direct. Resist the urge to create long-winded lecture videos. If you do want to record videos, we recommend breaking them into five-minute chunks with interactives after each video.
Easy video recording tools:
Easy video recording tools:
11. Keep It Social: Allow for Collaborative Thinking and Sharing
As a teacher, you're quite aware of the value of relationships. Build in virtual spaces to share and collaborate. The benefits are real: not only does it help stove off potential feelings of being disconnected, but we also learn so much from others' views and ideas. Be sure to create opportunities for shared thinking and conversations within your lessons.
Tools for Collaboration and Social Learning:
Tools for Collaboration and Social Learning:
12. Remember the Internet Exists! Creation Vs. Consumption
Design lessons and activities that are not "Google-able". Resist the temptation to take worksheets, study guides, and multiple-choice tests and transfer them online. Try posing questions that require critical thinking and problem solving and allow students to create. This is the perfect time and opportunity for students to show you what they can do!
Creative Considerations:
Creative Considerations:
13. Design Your Lesson
Remember the "Rule of Three"? Not only does it apply to the amount of subjects to cover each day, it should take into consideration limiting each lesson within that subject to three activities: Instruction, Creation/Collaboration, and Formative.
Instruction Ideas:
Instruction Ideas:
Create a YouTube Playlist of curated content
Allow students to walk through a self-paced HyperDoc
Use Google Slides for Instruction (and Google Slides with Instruction built in)
Record a Google Slides presentation with Screencastify
Create a path to personalized learning with playlists in Google Docs
Use the 5 E's Instructional Model
Check out options available via Khan Academy
Use Edpuzzle to create a lesson with a built-in formative
In addition to utilizing Kahoot, try making a Blind Kahoot, a gamified approach to building and reinforcing knowledge
Add interactivity with PearDeck
Create a step-by-step interactive tutorial with iorad
In addition, check out a number of vetted Open Education Resources (OERs)
Creation/Collaboration Ideas:
Creation/Collaboration Ideas:
There is no better way to get a clear indication of student mastery than to have them demonstrate their learning. Consider these collaboration ideas:
Formative Ideas:
Formative Ideas:
Be sure to provide a daily pulse check so you can better design the next lesson to meet the needs of your students. Not only that, but providing feedback to your students helps them feel less isolated. Remember that Google exists, so ask your students to demonstrate, write, and reflect. Options include:
15. Incorporate Movement
You've experienced the stiff neck, eye strain, and tedium that comes from sitting in front of a computer for too long. Imagine what it is like for younger students who are used to recess and kinesthetic learning. Be sure to allow for built-in breaks during learning. Even your Fitbit will command movement every 10 minutes per hour! Consider these ideas:
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