Post by iknowthismuchistrue on Mar 28, 2020 7:19:16 GMT -5
We’ve now completed 2 weeks of e-learning and next week will be teaching right through our originally scheduled spring break and then getting out a week earlier than planned in May.
The high school district I teach in is 1:1 and has done e-learning before so we were ready. My own kids elementary district is also 1:1 but had never done e-learning before.
It’s been pretty seamless at the high school level. The kids that tend to do work are still doing work. The ones that tend to sleep are still sleeping.
I’m so impressed with the elementary teachers and how quickly they were able to jump into all of this. They had three hours warning from when the announcement to close schools was made until they sent the kids home at 3:00pm. The kids all came home with not only their tech but also all the packets/worksheets needed for the upcoming weeks.
We’ve just finished two weeks of remote learning. Everyone went home with paper packets for each subject, since we have many without Internet access. I teach 5th/6th on a team with 3 others. For those without Internet access, we call them to check in. I’ve been using Classroom for the majority of my ”teaching”. The same 6 or 7 kids check in with me daily; others are more sporadic. I’m having a hard time figuring out a good balance of communication. I can tell parents are getting frustrated talking to me all the time but my district is pretty insistent on regular contact.
“Spring break” starts this week so we’ve been told we are not expected to do any work, which is nice!
Post by stephm0188 on Mar 28, 2020 16:00:27 GMT -5
I'm struggling. My job in the library was already at stake because of funding, and we needed to pass a levy in order for my job to be secure. In person voting was cancelled and is now absentee only through the end of April. It breaks my heart to think that I already had my last day with students, potentially forever.
I brought home a crate of books for virtual read alouds, but I've blown through them. I'll likely resort to buying additional books online and donating them to the library... which stings when I consider that I may not have any income in a few weeks. :\ Our book fair was also cancelled as a result of this, so even if I do by some miracle get to keep my job, I'll not have anything to work with budget-wise next year.
So, yeah, having a really difficult time processing it all but doing my best to fake it for the sake of the kids. I guess the silver lining is that I get to use the bathroom whenever I want and I don't have any duty throughout the day?
We can only offer optional activities — our large urban district has cited issues of equity in this decision, since not every student has access to technology.
The district has approved $11 mil toward chromebooks for students at home. Even though they haven’t said as much I think they’re preparing not to go back.
As for my tiny charter, I’ve contacted 130 families in the last 2 days and have only not heard from about 10, which is pretty damn good.
I’m still crossing my fingers that we’ll be back in mid-late May. I don’t care if we’re only back for 2 weeks, I want to see my kiddos and I want my kids to be able to finish the year off with their friends ::weeps::
“Teaching” kindergarten virtually is not great. I feel like I’m mostly going to be giving them things to do to keep them busy. We’ll be using the seesaw app which seems easy enough. We did start a Facebook group for all the kinder kids/families, and we rotate who does a read aloud daily and one teacher does a directed drawing at the end of the week for fun. We always end the read aloud with an idea for a writing activity and the kids can post them to the page and their friends/teachers can comment on it. It’s super cute.
Also, the more I’m doing for my students at school the less I’m able to do for my own two kids at home who still need a lot of guidance (5 and 8). I definitely can’t do both well.
Also, the more I’m doing for my students at school the less I’m able to do for my own two kids at home who still need a lot of guidance (5 and 8). I definitely can’t do both well.
This is my fear. Dh is working from home too. I’m hoping to do asynchronous learning (videos, etc) and offer virtual meet ups with the understanding that my own kids (8 and3) might pop up. I think my high school students will need flexibility though too since they are working, taking care of family, etc.
I'm struggling. My job in the library was already at stake because of funding, and we needed to pass a levy in order for my job to be secure. In person voting was cancelled and is now absentee only through the end of April. It breaks my heart to think that I already had my last day with students, potentially forever.
I brought home a crate of books for virtual read alouds, but I've blown through them. I'll likely resort to buying additional books online and donating them to the library... which stings when I consider that I may not have any income in a few weeks. :\ Our book fair was also cancelled as a result of this, so even if I do by some miracle get to keep my job, I'll not have anything to work with budget-wise next year.
So, yeah, having a really difficult time processing it all but doing my best to fake it for the sake of the kids. I guess the silver lining is that I get to use the bathroom whenever I want and I don't have any duty throughout the day?
It kills me that when this is all said and done, our government will cut education taxes and many educators will lose their jobs. Especially after the madness of this distance learning nonsense.
I teach 1st and we haven’t done anything yet. We were on “extended spring break” and tomorrow is the first day back from that. The school is distributing Scholastic workbooks drive-through style. We had to make a Google Classroom but it is optional and ungraded. Seeing as most of my kids don’t have technology or internet, I doubt it will be widely used. I’m feeling pretty useless, so I’ll probably just pour my energy into homeschooling my own kid, who has 4 hours of required work every day.
I'm struggling. My job in the library was already at stake because of funding, and we needed to pass a levy in order for my job to be secure. In person voting was cancelled and is now absentee only through the end of April. It breaks my heart to think that I already had my last day with students, potentially forever.
I brought home a crate of books for virtual read alouds, but I've blown through them. I'll likely resort to buying additional books online and donating them to the library... which stings when I consider that I may not have any income in a few weeks. :\ Our book fair was also cancelled as a result of this, so even if I do by some miracle get to keep my job, I'll not have anything to work with budget-wise next year.
So, yeah, having a really difficult time processing it all but doing my best to fake it for the sake of the kids. I guess the silver lining is that I get to use the bathroom whenever I want and I don't have any duty throughout the day?
Would you consider making an Amazon wishlist of read aloud books you need? I would be happy to buy one or two for you!
I teach special class 2nd grade in a different district than my kiddos attend. The differences between their approaches to this right from the start have been intense. I teach in a city school district in a 90% poverty school that also has a food pantry. My superintendent asked us to send home a list of resources for the first 2 weeks while they assessed food and access needs. In that time we have set up google classrooms and made attempts to get parents and families onboard and online. This week I will be moving towards google meetups and posting more things, but it is clear how inequitable this will be. We will also be moving to CSE meetings from home somehow.
My kiddos (4th and 6th) brought home what I consider to be a ridiculous amount of work for each day, encompassing every subject, including chorus. They are great students who love school, but they are so overwhelmed and miserable. Even the PE assignments are over the top and a challenge due to all kinds of constraints (weather, access, social distancing). Tomorrow they go to google for their school work and we shall see how this goes.
I teach 1st and we haven’t done anything yet. We were on “extended spring break” and tomorrow is the first day back from that. The school is distributing Scholastic workbooks drive-through style. We had to make a Google Classroom but it is optional and ungraded. Seeing as most of my kids don’t have technology or internet, I doubt it will be widely used. I’m feeling pretty useless, so I’ll probably just pour my energy into homeschooling my own kid, who has 4 hours of required work every day.
4 hours seems like a ton. I don't understand what some of these districts are thinking. Kids still have parents who are working, who might be sick, who might be caring for family members who are sick. It's a lot to ask of these families.
I teach 1st and we haven’t done anything yet. We were on “extended spring break” and tomorrow is the first day back from that. The school is distributing Scholastic workbooks drive-through style. We had to make a Google Classroom but it is optional and ungraded. Seeing as most of my kids don’t have technology or internet, I doubt it will be widely used. I’m feeling pretty useless, so I’ll probably just pour my energy into homeschooling my own kid, who has 4 hours of required work every day.
4 hours seems like a ton. I don't understand what some of these districts are thinking. Kids still have parents who are working, who might be sick, who might be caring for family members who are sick. It's a lot to ask of these families.
I teach 2nd, my son is in 4th. He has about 4-5 hours a day. It’s been hard trying to help him when he has questions and trying to help my students, emails and prepping for lessons. I only have one child so I can’t imagine what it’s like for parents with more. I’ve been trying to give my class 2-3 hours (district requirement). We’re starting week 3 and I really wonder how/when parents might just start giving up!
I'm struggling. My job in the library was already at stake because of funding, and we needed to pass a levy in order for my job to be secure. In person voting was cancelled and is now absentee only through the end of April. It breaks my heart to think that I already had my last day with students, potentially forever.
I brought home a crate of books for virtual read alouds, but I've blown through them. I'll likely resort to buying additional books online and donating them to the library... which stings when I consider that I may not have any income in a few weeks. :\ Our book fair was also cancelled as a result of this, so even if I do by some miracle get to keep my job, I'll not have anything to work with budget-wise next year.
So, yeah, having a really difficult time processing it all but doing my best to fake it for the sake of the kids. I guess the silver lining is that I get to use the bathroom whenever I want and I don't have any duty throughout the day?
Would you consider making an Amazon wishlist of read aloud books you need? I would be happy to buy one or two for you!
Yes I suggest this as well. I would also inquire with scholastic about options for replacing book fair revenue. Maybe a back to school option is available.
I'm struggling. My job in the library was already at stake because of funding, and we needed to pass a levy in order for my job to be secure. In person voting was cancelled and is now absentee only through the end of April. It breaks my heart to think that I already had my last day with students, potentially forever.
I brought home a crate of books for virtual read alouds, but I've blown through them. I'll likely resort to buying additional books online and donating them to the library... which stings when I consider that I may not have any income in a few weeks. :\ Our book fair was also cancelled as a result of this, so even if I do by some miracle get to keep my job, I'll not have anything to work with budget-wise next year.
So, yeah, having a really difficult time processing it all but doing my best to fake it for the sake of the kids. I guess the silver lining is that I get to use the bathroom whenever I want and I don't have any duty throughout the day?
Would you consider making an Amazon wishlist of read aloud books you need? I would be happy to buy one or two for you!
Would you consider making an Amazon wishlist of read aloud books you need? I would be happy to buy one or two for you!
Yes I suggest this as well. I would also inquire with scholastic about options for replacing book fair revenue. Maybe a back to school option is available.
Yes I suggest this as well. I would also inquire with scholastic about options for replacing book fair revenue. Maybe a back to school option is available.
Can you do ebooks to read?
I have in a pinch but the copyright is a little more sticky there so I hesitate to make it my go-to.
Would you consider making an Amazon wishlist of read aloud books you need? I would be happy to buy one or two for you!
Yes I suggest this as well. I would also inquire with scholastic about options for replacing book fair revenue. Maybe a back to school option is available.
My daughter’s teacher said that scholastic was going to send our last book order directly to our house instead of to her. Is it possible to do a virtual book fair this way? Or maybe a donors choose project to be delivered this fall?
I'm struggling. My job in the library was already at stake because of funding, and we needed to pass a levy in order for my job to be secure. In person voting was cancelled and is now absentee only through the end of April. It breaks my heart to think that I already had my last day with students, potentially forever.
I brought home a crate of books for virtual read alouds, but I've blown through them. I'll likely resort to buying additional books online and donating them to the library... which stings when I consider that I may not have any income in a few weeks. :\ Our book fair was also cancelled as a result of this, so even if I do by some miracle get to keep my job, I'll not have anything to work with budget-wise next year.
So, yeah, having a really difficult time processing it all but doing my best to fake it for the sake of the kids. I guess the silver lining is that I get to use the bathroom whenever I want and I don't have any duty throughout the day?
It kills me that when this is all said and done, our government will cut education taxes and many educators will lose their jobs. Especially after the madness of this distance learning nonsense.
Is there nowhere else to get the money?
Our local news reported that last month, the casinos here in Vegas alone made $1 billion. A BILLION FUCKING DOLLARS last month and we're still unsure what next year's budget is going to look like.
I am perpetually baffled by this state's priorities.
Post by fancynewbeesly on Mar 30, 2020 11:02:38 GMT -5
Our district did distance learning ASAP. Like half day on Friday, virtual learning on Monday. So the first week literally was a hot mess. This is our third week in and much smoother. The first week was making sure everyone was set up with tech/lending out devices, last week classes experimented more with google hangout/zoom. This week we are building on that. The teachers really haven't (or at least my daughter's-who is in third grade) started teaching any NEW concepts, but a lot of independent work/review. Their assignments are given two days to complete. She always has work in: math, grammar, reading, writing, social studies, and science. Then the teacher gives optional fun things (podcasts, videos, virtual field trip).
Our principal is doing a challenge at the beginning of each week. This week is "balance"-she wants the kids to eat healthy, work hard, exercise, play and get rest. We are able to send photos of the students/kids doing it, and then she puts all the photos into a video that she shares with the entire school. I find that the first week or so I was so overwhelmed, because I had my own virtual class, plus my daughters, plus a toddler. But now it is definitely more relaxed and in some ways enjoyable.
I also do media/tech at the school. So, I have been reading books and having them be videoed for my classes. I have found since I have kindergarten, first and second grade that the simpler the assignments that were given the better. For kindergarten it was a video of a book and then have them draw about it, first grade was websites, second grade some videos. I mean, I want it to be a fun break for them.
A stack of Amazon packages arrived at my door filled with amazing books to share with my students, most without names. THANK YOU. That's not sufficient but thank you so very much. I'm excited to share them with students and add them to the collection to be checked out when we return. <3
A fellow teacher just shared with me a Screncastify code that gets you the unlimited version free for a month (possibly extended). It worked for me!
The code is: CAST_COVID
Do you know where you enter this code? Where I put it didn't work.
Thanks!
I went in as if I was going to purchase the education edition of the unlimited. When I got to the screen where'd I'd put in CC info, there was a coupon code blank and I was able to use it without putting in any CC info.