#1: Create a YouTube Channel
If your students have access to a computer, gaming console,
phone, or smart TV they will have the ability to get onto YouTube. Put your
links on your school page and teach your students how to do a variety of
topics. In order to ensure students are getting something out of the videos,
require them to post a comment or email you a video or response of some kind.
#2: Turn to Technology
This is one of the times our students being technologically
driven is actually to our advantage. Various programs like Google Classroom and
Schoology are free to use for teachers and their classes. The best part about
Google Classroom is the ability for it to be used on gaming consoles. On both
of these forums, teachers can post lessons, videos, and assignments. In
addition, students can also submit work and teachers can give feedback and
assign points.
#3: Learning Packets
If computers aren’t something that your school has, you can
always turn to learning packets. A learning packet is a folder that includes
notes, examples, and assignments for your students. When going to learning
packets, you still have to be mindful of germs, so I would suggest having a
specific drop off and pick up time that would allow people to stay in their
cars. You can have a staff member available or a few available (depending on
your school size) to help hand out and collect work for students.
#4: Co-Teach with Parents
One of the biggest assets you will hopefully have during
this troubling time are parents. If you can connect with parents via text,
phone, email, or in any way, you can give them tasks for their students to do
throughout the day. No matter what a student is doing during this time is
better than nothing. Plus, spending extra time with family is not a bad thing!
Encourage students and parents to do something together like bake and write an
equation for the amounts of each ingredient needed. Then have them send that
recipe to a friend or to you along with a picture of the finished product.
#5: Go to Project-Based Learning
Being independent is going to be very important in the
coming days. Designing lesson plans that are project-based will be incredibly
helpful in ensuring students are still working and learning. Projects you can
have your students do include: novel studies, science projects, conspiracy
busters, etc. If you’re struggling to come up with project ideas, reach out to
the world of TpT and don’t reinvent the wheel!
The COVID-19 virus has rocked our states and our classrooms.
We need to stand together for our students and try to implement a form of
normalcy for them and for ourselves. Without education, our nation will
crumble; we can’t let a virus take away one of the most important parts of our
society.
