Showing posts with label quarantine teaching. Show all posts
Showing posts with label quarantine teaching. Show all posts

Wednesday, August 26, 2020

Be Seen, Be Heard

 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


Thursday, August 13, 2020

Welcome Back and Adjust Expectations

 

 Welcome Back, my friends and colleagues, 


I HAVE MISSED YOU ALL SO, SO MUCH!!!!

I am so glad that you are back, whether you are back to traditional classrooms, virtual classrooms, some of each, or blended classes. 


Welcome to what is going to be the weirdest year on record! It “otter” be a wild year!


This is my 20th year in teaching. I was in teaching during 9/11, Hurricane Irma, the year of the 5 hurricanes, the year our school got a new building, the year of the Marjorie Stoneman Douglas shootings, the year we didn’t know the results of the presidential election for weeks, and even the year Swine Flu (or was it SARS?) taught my middle schoolers to fling hand sanitizer on each other and snap the elastic of masks at each other.


Nothing could have prepared us for this. 


Whether you are at peace with the school year now, whether you are not that worried, or whether you are crying into your adult beverage nightly, here we are. 



The world has changed so much since you left your classroom. 


There are 4 major events that have occurred. They may not all have been major to you. But be aware that it’s pretty likely that at least one has been major to the kids in your class and the colleagues in your building -- and different events have hit differently to different people. 


  1. Coronavirus -- of course, the ‘Rona is the most obvious event. The global pandemic is a big deal. 17,000 Pinellas County residents have tested positive. 500 have died. Hundreds have been hospitalized. This has been big and scary and traumatic for us and for the kids. You and they likely know someone who has had the virus, maybe someone who has been really sick or someone who has died. 

  2. Economy -- As of this week, in Pinellas County, nearly 150,000 (16% of the population) is identified as “food insecure”, meaning they don’t know where their next meal is coming from. Families that have never needed food banks or financial help before may need it now. Maybe that’s your family or your neighbors. It’s definitely some of our students. Small businesses & folks in hospitality have been hit especially hard. This happened fast and it hit families hard. 

  3. Loneliness -- A lot of us or our kids have quarantined and limited our interactions a lot. We have not gone to Disney or to bars (us) or to camps (them) or travelled or to many other places. We have been lonely. This has affected people differently, but know that people (kids and adults) are fragile. Things we could have handled with ease last year will be tough this year. Some kids literally haven’t seen another kid in 6 months.Others have been to day camps or have spent plenty of time with friends. There’s so much variety, but virtual interactions are not the same as in-person and it shows. 

  4. Racial Reckoning -- With the violent death of George Floyd seen by all of us, America’s anti racism movement went mainstream. Kids who, before, felt that nobody heard their cries of racism -- suddenly felt that a lot of somebodies heard, and felt empowered. Americans of all races, ages, and socioeconomic groups took (and are still taking) to the streets in mostly peaceful protests.... And then there are students coming from households that are pushing against this movement, households where racism is still acceptable (or where it is an invisible topic and thus racism is still acceptable that way)


Whew, friends! That’s a lot to work through. 


Things are going to be different. 

So, so different. 


Today, I’d like you to let them. 


Let them be different. Adjust your expectations.


The only way to a) be safe and b) keep your sanity is to NOT expect things to look like normal. We’re going to have to adjust our expectations. 

  • Your classroom can’t look like it usually does

  • Your teaching style can’t look like it usually does

  • Your supply requests can’t look like it usually does

  • The kids are deeply affected by some (all?) of the above Big 4 events. They won’t act like they usually do. 

  • You can’t see each others’ faces like you usually do. 

  • You can’t do the same classroom culture building you usually do. 

  • You can’t pass out supplies and handouts like you usually do.

  • Kids can’t even walk down the halls like they usually do.


EVERYTHING. WILL. BE. DIFFERENT. 

(or at least everything is “on the table” for being different). 



Our wedding anniversary was last week. LAST YEAR for our wedding anniversary, my husband and I went to the Bahamas. So, uhhh... we had to have different expectations this year. The pandemic changes everything. Instead, our kids (both in elementary school) threw us an “anniversary party” (for just the 4 of us) with some decorations we picked up from the order-and-drive-up at Target, some art they made, and some Thai food take-out. They even used streamers across the dining room and made us have a ribbon cutting ceremony. 


I will never forget this anniversary. It cost next-to-nothing, had no travel, no date night, and not even a babysitter to get away from the kids. But it was meaningful and lovely and sweet.


In a pandemic, we have to adjust our expectations. And out of new expectations can come different beautiful things. 


We humans can adapt to anything. You, my colleagues, showed us this in the spring, showed us all how amazingly adaptable you are. I was constantly amazed and awed by you all. 


So here are my two pieces of advice for you as we start this school year. Maybe they’re my wishes for you, like little blessings. 



  1. I wish for you to be adaptable and flexible. Put away your expectations of certain types of

  2. collaboration and specific notebooks you like and favorite classroom procedures that won’t work in the new normal. Try something new. And if that doesn’t work, try something else. And if that doesn't work, try something else. Don’t stick to your Old Ways because they’re habits. It’s time to form some new habits. Adjust your expectations. 

  3. Take extra-good care of yourself. The best parenting advice I ever got holds just as true for the classroom. As every airline safety video says, put your own oxygen mask on before that of your children. You have to be so, so aware of your own mental health this year, now, more than ever. Be aware of your signs of stress and signs of being overwhelmed. And step back and care for yourself. You can’t care for your kids if you aren’t caring for yourself.


I know you all. You will teach through a freaking pandemic and be rockstars. You will find safe ways of making meaningful connections with kids through masks and through computers and through plexiglass and through all the chaos to come. 


But we have to adjust our expectations before we can create new ways of doing things. 


I wish you flexibility and self-care. Those tools will serve you well in this wild year. Don’t forget we are all in this together. 


I hope to see you all (virtually) at DWT or elsewhere soon! Stay safe! 

-Tracy


  


Thursday, May 14, 2020

A Harry Potter End of Term

First off YES, I KNOW IT'S THURSDAY. SORRY TO MESS WITH YOUR DAYS OF THE WEEK! 

Ahem. Erm. Um. Sorry ‘bout that. 

Anyway. Welcome to the weirdest end of the school year ever. From your couch!

No goodbye hugs from kids. No yearbook signings. No end of the year breakfasts or lunches. No in-person awards ceremonies. No review games. No exams. 

A friend recently called it the “Harry Potter” year. It was okay... until Voldemort popped up for some mortal peril at the end of the semester. 





Just finish the content ...until the last week of ... no new content? But no exams? But kids are supposed to sign in anyway? Eep! That sounds like a recipe for kids NOT signing in... 

And then the craziest school year then ends with a whimper and not a bang...

So, how WILL you end your school year? With a purpose or with a “see you next year... maybe ... or never ... ?”

Kids need closure. You need closure. Kids need some wrap-up. We all need to think about our year and reflect on it, both the normal part and the Covid/Voldemort part. Give them each a personal comment via email or one-on-one chat(they can be repeated) to tell them how great you think they all are. They need to hear that and they need a reinforced personal connection with you 

Then, I highly recommend the student survey. Seriously, give your kids a survey about your class. 

I say this every year, so I hope you’re ok with another annual reminder. 

Survey your kids. Make it anonymous (or not). Do it in Forms or Polly or Survey Monkey. Whatever you like. 

The “what” you ask is a little trickier. Here are a couple of thoughts...
  1. Ask a question, with a question mark. People are more honest with a question mark for some reason.
  2. Ask them about pedagogy, environment, expectations, engagement, and support in your REGULAR CLASSROOM and in your DIGITAL CLASSROOM
    1. How well they learned in your class
    2. How kids behaved in the class
    3. How much encouragement they received in class
    4. How much the student participated
    5. How does this teacher help you
  3. Ask kids to rate how they felt about class activities, homework, projects, the subject of the course. 
  4. Leave a few open-ended questions, like 
    1. What was your favorite part of this class?
    2. What did I do to help you learn this year?
    3. What could I have done to help you learn more? 
    4. What could YOU have done to help you do better?
  5. Honestly, throw in a few questions about Digital Learning/Crisis Learning. We may have to do this again. It would help to have some solid feedback from your kids about how it went. 

Then, read their answers. I am a big fan of anonymity, if possible. Kids answer more honestly if they don’t put their names on it. 

After you read their answers, jot down for yourself a few major takeaways. They can be trends, specific comments or answers unique to a specific class period or group. 

Use their answers to reflect on your year and set some goals for next year. We have no idea what next year will look like, but I think “different than usual” may be the theme. Self-reflection may be huge to help us really know where to start. 

One of the most reflective and honest and helpful things I did all year was to survey my students. Try to catch them before they disappear in the no-more-sign-in-fade-away...

Try using one of these for inspiration. Then, make your own.

This is a weird end of the school year. I hope you can provide some closure through student surveys, conversations, drive-by parades, notes, and other closure activities in the next two weeks. 

How are you helping kids have solid closure in this weird time? I hope you use the survey as the big one! How else?  As always, email me! newmantr@pcsb.org 

Thursday, May 7, 2020

So, raise your hand if you are doing great, during the weirdest Teacher Appreciation Week ever.  

Raise your hand if your house is clean, your heart is joyful, your belly is full of healthy foods, you are showered and dressed today, your brain is anxiety-free, you have exercised several days in a row, you are not angry at any politicians, neighbors, or family members, your students are ALL learning what they need to, and you aren’t worried about any of them. 

Yeah me neither. 

These times are hard. We keep saying unprecedented because there is literally. No. Precedent.  Sure, there was the huge Influenza outbreak in 1917-1918, but they didn’t have Zoom back then. Or 24 hour new cycles. Or social media. Or toilet paper (I guess we don’t have as much of that these days either)

This is different. And it’s ok to recognize that life is different. It’s not just “Regular Life: At Home Edition”.


I don’t know about you, but I am struggling with this new life. I have been sick (not COVID, just normal sick). I usually run a busy, active life and I find being at home all the time depressing. My house is a disaster. My kids are so socially isolated from friends, they’re depressed and acting out. Because I am a teacher, I can mitigate the effect that has on their grades and schoolwork, but I can’t imagine not having a Teacher Brain for this.  If I had a Retail Brain. Or an Accountant Brain or Some Other Brain. 

Let’s use my children (because they’re the ones in front of me) to look at kids as a whole.

I have a kindergartner and a 4th grader, but feel free to extrapolate this to middle and high school students who also have MUCH higher stakes (hormones, depression, graduation, etc.). 

My kids can’t see their friends. They are supremely isolated, despite the fact that their entire lives are normally lived communally -- at school, at before-care, at church, at scouts, at sports, at other activities. Kids spend most of their lives in “piles” and “packs” of other kids. 

So they’re withdrawing.  My 4th grader is spending more time on the computer than necessary. And my kindergartner is spending more time playing by himself. I have to drag them to talk and play and do things. 

Getting them to do or finish schoolwork is like pulling teeth despite the fact that there are TWO educated adults in this house working from home -- and ONE OF US IS A TEACHER!!!

They have lost their caring about schoolwork. Why?

Because as we all know, kids don’t work just because it’s “good for them”. They work because of relationships.  

And right now those relationships are a lot harder to see. 
In the regular world, we pull every trick in the book face to face to get kids to learn because learning doesn’t look very high up on Maslow’s hierarchy of needs to a kid struggling with food insecurity or safety needs who’s going to get beat up today. 

Guess what? 

Learning looks a whole lot less important when there isn’t even a teacher’s face to cajole them into it. 

When there’s a pandemic going on. When there’s less food in the house than usual. When there’s no contact with other kids. When there’s no adults at school to notice that there’s a problem. When domestic violence is up. When neglect is rising. When depression is increasing exponentially. When kids are lonely and sad

Somehow, that assigned reading with the questions at the end doesn't seem that important to a kid with everything else going on. Especially if there’s no “you” (the teacher) in front of them to use the power of relationship to persuade them to do it. 

Heck, if that were me, I might not not even login. Depression and isolation are powerful forces. 

It is HARD to get motivated in the face of a pandemic. So says the disaster in my family room. So says my kindergartener who cries every time he has to do an assignment that he doesn't like (that doesn’t come with a video of his teacher to help him feel connected). So says my 4th grader who has no idea how to do time management (and neither do most of our middle and high schoolers). So says me, who is used to seeing the faces of my friends and colleagues. 

So says our students who are lonely and isolated. 

As you work through student grades, please be kind. Assume goodwill. Assume hardships that you don’t know about yet, not just in “those” households, but in any household. Please keep this unprecedented event in mind. Please keep the fact that you have no idea what’s happening behind closed doors and unlogged-in accounts.  Please keep in mind that there are bigger events happening than a couple of assignments.

This is not “Tracy-from-the-district” giving you a policy. I don’t make policy. This is Tracy the mom. Tracy the teacher. Tracy who loves kids. Tracy who knows kids who can’t handle all this. Who knows parents who are struggling. Who knows teachers who are struggling. 

And if you’re struggling, (as we ALL are) I hope you can get a chance to listen to the webinar that the amazing Ms. Darlene Rivers from Employee Wellness provided yesterday on Teams. She is so wise and helpful. Some of her advice for us was...
  • Keeping perspective
  • Finding good in any bad situation 
  • Noticing when you are feeling stressed
  • Breathing
  • Focusing on things within your control
  • Asking for help
  • Following a schedule
  • Making your bed daily
  • Showering and putting on different clothes daily
  • Sticking to a meal schedule
  • Disconnecting from electronics and spend time with family 
  • Planning your time
  • Staying CALM
    • C- Coping skills (give yourself positive messages, engage in enjoyable activities, relaxation techniques)
    • A- Be aware but not opposed (stay informed but limit the amount of news)
    • L -- Listen to reliable sources of information (CDC, WHO)
    • M - Monitor yourself -- eat well, exercise, get enough sleep.
This is still hard, even if we’ve (mostly) figured out Teams. It’s still hard, maybe getting harder despite some stores and beaches opening. It’s still hard for kids, most of whom are still isolated and scared and lonely

Don’t forget to keep that in mind as you continue to keep up your relationships with them (when they log in) and as you work through grades. 

And PLEASE take care of yourself. You are essential workers with the craziest, fastest changes and moving targets. Your job is hard. I know. I see you working crazy hours. 

I appreciate you so, so much. Please appreciate yourself this week by taking care of yourself. Happy (weirdest) Teacher appreciation week!!  Please practice self-care, now, more than ever!!!  

As always, email me any time. I love to hear from you all! newmantr@pcsb.org 
-Tracy