Good morning, parents & guardians!
We're into Week Three, so I thought I'd update you on what we're trying in ELA...
- We have BOOKS! I do believe that 95% of my students have something to read each day. At this point in the year, it may be something they've read before, but I'm sharing new books every day in the hopes they'll keep track of the titles they might want to read (on a document they keep in Google Classroom), and I'll keep this up as long as possible. Should you read a book for middle schoolers and want to jump into a Zoom to recommend it, just email me! Reading, reading, reading and MORE reading is the best way to improve reading and writing skills, so we'll be reading each day IN class and students will soon be expected to read at least 20 minutes a night outside of class.
- We've started WRITING! Our writing is simple quick writes right now, as we're focusing on reading for the first quarter. It's been fun for me to learn more about the children through their writing, and some have actually shared with the class already.
- We've had high attendance rates! I can see many postage-stamped-sized boxes on my screen - most with their videos on! I'm trying to reach those students who have their videos off often (I can finally try to keep track this week). Sometimes, however, it bites me back, as some students aren't actually there when I call on them or ask them for their ideas. This can be due to connection issues, distractions from the learning environment, or simply due to the student leaving or going on other sites. I've realized this is out of my control, and I'm going to continue teaching the students that are there as best I can. All of our resources are on Schoology under "Today's Plans" and "All Plans," so when students miss time with me, they've got the plans available to them.
- We're handling technology issues. Your children may grow up to be the most patient people when it comes to tech issues. My heart warms when they help each other either in the chat or with their voices.
- The technology I LOVE is being able to put each student in their own breakout room for independent reading. I can then go visit students individually, chat about their book or life in general, and we're not disturbing the rest of the class! While students are taking a break from the screen (at a 45 degree angle) by reading a physical book, we're also taking a break from the life around us through stories of others. This individual time without disturbing others is a definite benefit to remote learning in ELA. I also feel like I'm closer than six feet - and without a mask!
- I'm still trying to figure out how to watch the regular and private chat while teaching a lesson and letting late-comers (and those who got kicked out somehow) into the class. If anyone has an extra eye (that goes a different direction than the two I have) to loan... Well, maybe not.
I've been wanting to send good notes home to individual parents, but time is not on my side (yet) this year, and I've been trying to spend less time on the screen. Please reach out if you need anything, and know that I am truly appreciative of your efforts and your child's efforts - daily.
We're into Week Three, so I thought I'd update you on what we're trying in ELA...
- We have BOOKS! I do believe that 95% of my students have something to read each day. At this point in the year, it may be something they've read before, but I'm sharing new books every day in the hopes they'll keep track of the titles they might want to read (on a document they keep in Google Classroom), and I'll keep this up as long as possible. Should you read a book for middle schoolers and want to jump into a Zoom to recommend it, just email me! Reading, reading, reading and MORE reading is the best way to improve reading and writing skills, so we'll be reading each day IN class and students will soon be expected to read at least 20 minutes a night outside of class.
- We've started WRITING! Our writing is simple quick writes right now, as we're focusing on reading for the first quarter. It's been fun for me to learn more about the children through their writing, and some have actually shared with the class already.
- We've had high attendance rates! I can see many postage-stamped-sized boxes on my screen - most with their videos on! I'm trying to reach those students who have their videos off often (I can finally try to keep track this week). Sometimes, however, it bites me back, as some students aren't actually there when I call on them or ask them for their ideas. This can be due to connection issues, distractions from the learning environment, or simply due to the student leaving or going on other sites. I've realized this is out of my control, and I'm going to continue teaching the students that are there as best I can. All of our resources are on Schoology under "Today's Plans" and "All Plans," so when students miss time with me, they've got the plans available to them.
- We're handling technology issues. Your children may grow up to be the most patient people when it comes to tech issues. My heart warms when they help each other either in the chat or with their voices.
- The technology I LOVE is being able to put each student in their own breakout room for independent reading. I can then go visit students individually, chat about their book or life in general, and we're not disturbing the rest of the class! While students are taking a break from the screen (at a 45 degree angle) by reading a physical book, we're also taking a break from the life around us through stories of others. This individual time without disturbing others is a definite benefit to remote learning in ELA. I also feel like I'm closer than six feet - and without a mask!
- I'm still trying to figure out how to watch the regular and private chat while teaching a lesson and letting late-comers (and those who got kicked out somehow) into the class. If anyone has an extra eye (that goes a different direction than the two I have) to loan... Well, maybe not.
I've been wanting to send good notes home to individual parents, but time is not on my side (yet) this year, and I've been trying to spend less time on the screen. Please reach out if you need anything, and know that I am truly appreciative of your efforts and your child's efforts - daily.