The blog is back! We initially launched this blog as a way of sharing resources and the good things happening during what we thought was going to be the 8 days of quarantine leading up to Spring Break. That has obviously turned into a much more expansive effort to make the most of the schooling conditions we continue to navigate. This year we will continue to use the blog as a vehicle for sharing the good things going on.
In our first post of the year we focus the spotlight on a few teachers who were observed making the most of their synchronous instructional time.
Troy Rexelle- Music
Students play their scales muted as Troy conducts class. He called on non-volunteers and had them play the scale in front of everyone. Troy would then give feedback in front of everyone but frame it as advice for common errors/things he is seeing across the board.
"I call on students randomly to hold everyone in class responsible for the material and explain why each skill we are working on is important to their overall development as a musician. I also start each day with a mental health check in question that they answer in the chat box. (Example: What type of fruit best describes how you are feeling today? I keep it light and it gives me a chance to see which students need support). I check for understanding in two different ways. Thumbs up, Thumbs side, Thumbs down and a 1= I got this!, 2= Meh, 3= Bruh!"
Nancy Villa- Spanish
Put students in breakout rooms in pairs to practice pronunciation. They are short breakout room times.
"Usually, when introducing new vocabulary I use direct instruction and model to my students the pronunciation of the vocabulary words. Then, I request my students to practice speaking in the target language by working in small groups. I pair my students on breakout rooms to help students build confidence in the pronunciation of new vocabulary words. Students must complete two breakout room "sessions" where they work with one peer for 2-3 minutes, then, I create new breakout rooms and students work with their new peer/peers for the a second breakout room session. Breakout rooms are great especially for some students who are timid/shy during our live synchronous lessons. Repetition is key especially when students are learning a new language."
Liz Qutob- Math
Uses doc cam as an external camera to show examples of working through problems.
"I have also been using Quizizz as either warm-ups or exit tickets to get a feel where kids are at."
Julie Philipps- Math
Uses doc cam for direct instruction - had it pointed at the whiteboard.
"I actually have the projection monitor connected to my computer and set up on the podium so I can see my students on my computer and use my white board to not only project the lesson large enough for them to see, I can also write on the board, mark the text during the lesson and move. I had so much difficulty sitting for a long period of time, and using small screens to try to teach from was causing health issues. Now I am free to move, split multiple larger screens and the students have more of a sense of being in a classroom."
Regina Leyva- Digital Art
Flips her classroom and sends videos to students prior to class and then checks their work during the 70 minute period and is there to answer questions and assist as kids are doing their digital art work.
"I have also been using Kahoot as a pre-assessment tool and Jamboard as a check for understanding warm-up."
Are you doing something that has been effective at engaging students in distance learning? Have you seen colleagues in action doing something that you think others would benefit from knowing about? Share it with us! We would love to spotlight those doing great things!
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