My computer has become my new best friend – how about you? Distance learning is the newest buzz word in education and it's taking a little bit to get used to.
I've been at this now for a few weeks, and although that certainly makes me no expert, I have learned a few things. If you're just getting started, here are a few tips to help you out.
And be prepared, 'cause I'm gonna get real!
Tip #1 Keep It Simple
If you get nothing more than that one statement out of this post, it will serve you well. Keep it simple, my friend. Think about what you would like to have the kids do…..and then, scale it way back. Way back. This is all brand new to everyone and the easier you make your assignments the better it will be for everyone.
If you're absolutely required to teach online lessons on a platform like Zoom or Google Hangouts, try to make it as simple as possible. This is not like a regular classroom. Kids who are doing distance learning at home have lots of distractions including other siblings, the tv, music, etc. Keep your online lesson time to a minimum and do something simple like read a story.
If you're not required to do online instructions, don't do it. Just let it go. At least for the first few weeks. As people get used to the idea of being at home, then you can begin to introduce online platforms.
Tip #2 Lower Your Expectations
Teachers are used to teaching for 7-8 hours each day. We're used to cramming in as much content as possible each week. We're used to scrambling around creating fabulous lesson plans and activities that kids love.
Now is the time to forget all that. Seriously. We're in the middle of a world wide crisis and nobody at home is thinking about common core standards and testing and reading levels.
Parents are wondering if they will have enough food for the next few weeks. They're worried about losing their jobs or their incomes.
They're trying to figure out who will watch their kids if they have to continue to work. And EVERYBODY is worried about contracting a virus that might kill them.
Throw all those fabulous lesson plans out the window and give everyone some grace.
Yes, its ok to send some work home with your students. But please keep it simple. Review would be the best, but if you must push forward make it as easy as possible for the kids and parents. Nobody needs 7-8 hours of work each day for their kids. They have way more important things on their minds right now.
One way to make it easy is by giving parents a simple lesson plan to follow. A few distance learning activities each day are plenty. I suggest one Reading, one Writing and one Math lesson. Something simple for Science or Social studies that kids might find interesting to watch or listen to online.
You could even include a few fun holiday writing activities with crafts. Kids enjoy anything related to holidays, especially when there's a craft involved.
Another idea is to use simple, age appropriate digital resources like boom cards. These cards are easy for kids to play on their own and logging into play is a breeze with a simple picture password for kids. Hop over here to see all the ways I used boom cards with my firsties in my regular classroom and in distance learning.
Tip #3 You'll Have To Teach Everyone
Parents do not know how to do distance learning. They are not teachers – they are parents. For us, teaching comes easily. It's like breathing. We just know how to do it. But not everyone is a teacher and that includes parents.
But for the next few weeks…..maybe months – parents will be expected to not only do their jobs outside the home but teach their kids too. And they don't know how.
You will get A LOT of questions from parents. They will not know how to access the online websites. Many parents will not know how to find stuff online. They will not know how to login to google classroom or any other place you assign.
And you WILL get frustrated. Prepare yourself for that reality now and then refer back to Tip # 1. The easier you make it for parents and students, the less frustration for everyone.
I created a few video tutorials to help my parents with logging in to Think Central and Scholastic. These are two areas where students will complete assignments for our school. I also created a google classroom for our students and created a video tutorial to show parents how to log in there too. Step by step video tutorials will help cut down on the questions and confusion for your parents.
Tip #4 Not Everyone Will Do The Work
Here you are….you've worked day and night creating these wonderful learning packets. You've created a great google classroom where your kids can meet for distance learning. You've made videos of yourself teaching and reading books. And you wait for the learning to begin.
And nobody is logging in. There are no views on your brand new shiny YouTube videos. Nobody is answering your emails.
And friend, that's just the way it is. Just like it is in your classroom every year, some kids will go above and beyond to do the work. And…..other kids will do nothing.
But there's a reason for that. Don't assume that they aren't trying.
I had one parent email me concerned that her child wouldn't get his work done on time. She explained that she had 6 children all trying to use one computer. Some of her kids were in high school and had assignments that took hours. She didn't know how they were going to get everything done.
And so, do you know what I told her? Don't worry about it. Do what you can.
I had another mom email me saying that she had been sick in bed for 7 days and had to self quarantine. Her daughter was at Grandma's house and she didn't know how to do the online stuff.
And do you know what I told her? Don't worry about it. Get better. Be healthy.
Give grace, my friends. People are going through a TOUGH TIME. Just know that there may be reasons why kids aren't doing the work.
Tip #5 Keep In Touch With Colleagues
I don't know about you, but my work besties keep me sane. We can talk about stuff in a REAL way without judgement. We can vent and laugh and cry.
Keep in touch with your friends on your team. Find out what they're doing in distance learning that's working and not working.
Help each other out. This is all new to each to each of us so share your skills. Maybe one of you knows all about google classroom and another can make videos. Work together, side by side, through this.
My team and I have been doing FaceTime calls every other day. Just checking in. Like we do every morning at school. It helps. It really does.
Tip # 6 Keep It Positive
As tough as this is on all of us, there is some good that will come out of this.
You'll learn new skills that will serve you now and in the future. You'll do things you never thought you could in the past. But there you are…..you're doing it.
You'll also get to spend some extra time with your family. You'll get to sit down with them for dinner EVERY NIGHT. Be grateful that you get to play games and read stories and watch movies. Enjoy it. Remember when you wished you had that time? Here it is.
Will there be worries? Yes. But there will be good things too and its always best to find the good.
Remember all those growth mindset posters you hung all over your classroom last fall? This is what they were preparing you for. YOU CAN DO HARD THINGS.
If you need to put together a simple packet of work for your firsties, I can help you with that too. This week long bundle of book companions is easy for parents to follow with links to free books online that kids can listen to and enjoy.
There are five different book companions with a very simple, easy to follow daily plan that's perfect for parents. There are reading, math, writing, science and social studies lessons for each day.
No prep or stress for you. Easy for parents to follow. Fun and engaging for kids.
Take care friend. Stay home. Stay healthy.
