We have been through some STUFF in the past few months, haven’t we? Even if we have done nothing but sit at home and watch Netflix for 6 months -- that is still the definition of going through something. We have run dangerously low on toilet paper. We have struggled to figure out in April & May if masks are useful (hint: they really are) and how to best wear them and not be uncomfortable. We have watched as our neighbors broke quarantine earlier or later than we did -- or not at all. We have missed hugging our friends and family. We have watched our friends and family lose jobs and businesses and income. We have watched people struggle with loneliness. We have held our breath every time someone coughed. Or every time we didn’t feel quite right.
And then we all watched George Floyd be killed on camera and we held our breath then, too before we cried or yelled in anger and stared in disbelief. And maybe started or continued or re-started reading and learning more about the history and current state of racism in our country.
Our kids have been through some STUFF, too. They have been lonely -- or not. They have been hungry -- or not. They have had their summers disrupted -- or not. They have had powerful conversations about racism -- or not. They have been worried and have maybe had someone they knew or cared about who has gotten sick or maybe even possibly died -- or maybe it has all been a hoax in their family.
And the difference between kids and adults is that kids have been through a lot of what we have -- but with less control over their lives. They can’t control the TV channels that are on in their houses sometimes. Many of them can’t go apply for a job. They don’t get to determine curfews or living situations or what topics are acceptable or not in their home. They don’t determine the level of Covid-caution in their home (although some kids may rebel).
And our kids who are learning at home can’t help be lonely. Some are all alone, all day. Some are learning at home quietly while a parent works from home. Some are with a grandparent or neighbor. Some are supervising a younger sibling or cousin.
But they're not with their friends and peers.
And our kids in the classroom are going to have a very different experience than they did last year. A masked, socially-distant year with virtual clubs and limited everything (but lots of cleaning!) is not normal.
So I know you’re doing 100 things at once. You’re trying to figure out simultaneous teaching while you figure out socially distanced collaboration while you figure out sanitizing while you figure out Canvas.... It’s a hot mess and you have more on your plate than ever before.
I’m sorry you’re in this position and if my Fairy Godmother skills were worth a darn, I would have fixed it for you. I wish I could
But just a reminder to do one not-so-simple-thing that’s really simple.
See and hear and know every kid. Even the ones not in your room.
Remember that every kid (and adult) needs to see and be seen, to hear and be heard, to know and be known. They need to really be a part of a community (much, much more than they need assignments and grades and pretty Canvas pages.
Just like my own kids tried to Zoom-bomb every Teams call I’ve been on from home for the past 6 months, (uh, sorry ‘bout that) every at-home kid has a deep need to see and be seen, to know and be known. (even when their cameras are off bc they’re embarrassed about their house/room/face/clothes/family members)
And even our in-person kids won’t be seen as usual with their masks on. It makes us all a little more anonymous and a little less seen.
It’s going to be so, so hard while virtual teaching or even harder while simultaneous teaching, but it’s not impossible.
Here’s a few ideas.
Ask kids to turn on their cameras when they can/are comfortable.
Ask kids to use Flipgrid from home to answer questions or to reflect
Have kids turn in assignments that include more reflections than usual.
Ask a (talkative) student in the classroom to monitor the chat on their computer (or yours, if necessary) and be the voice for online kids
Try to use Teams Channels for online students to have discussions (your live students can have socially distanced small group discussions or whole-class discussions or can can respond in writing on white boards)
Use Nearpod! Live kids can see it on your smartboard or screen until the new laptops come in and at-home kids can use it on their own devices. It’s super easy!
Use surveys and polls like “polling everywhere” (or on Nearpod) for kids to be heard
Use online games (like Kahoots, Quizzes, Socrative, etc) that everyone can participate in
Message your students in Canvas frequently (especially the online students)
I know that you are frantically scrambling. I also know that come Monday, you will be amazing. You always are.
We have been through some stuff and so have our kids. Make sure that they are seen, heard, and known. Ask for help if you need it.
Remember, we (your district SS team) are here to help in any way we can. Please hit us up any time you need us!
It’s all crazy, but you are amazing and you have support.
We can get through this STUFF together!
-Tracy
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