Kindness, Humor, Grace, and Flexibility to get us through May.
In many cities and states, we are about to embark on an unprecedented journey in education. Many schools will be, for at least the next few weeks, embarking into distance education which while not new it is new to much of the population.
I moved into online education this last year after having been a brick-and-mortar special education teacher for many (unmentioned) years and head of disabilities and mental health at a pre-k level; a lady never reveals her age! 🤣 Here are my thoughts as I see them.
First and most importantly, teachers are in it for the outcome of our kiddos. We thrive off the energy they bring to our rooms everyday (even when it feels like chaos) and they miss them dearly right now. Teachers want what is best for every student that enter their doors - this forced adventure is scary to many of them because they have been in the classroom with your kiddos, not on the other side of a screen. Without a doubt, they will be doing their absolute best to get each of their kiddos what they need while many of them will also be acting as an at home teacher for their own kiddos. True story, it's still hard to home school your own kid even when you are a teacher!
Here are a few reminders as we all move forwards on this journey:
- Routine is important for us all, including us adults who are stuck at home where the weekends and weekdays seem to have no difference and leggings/sweat pants are now dress code.
Set up a routine, or use the suggested one from your school if it fits your family's needs, for your kiddos (and yourselves) that mimic the idea of school, but this is in no means school; home is comfortable and familiar. If your kiddos are old enough or have the cognitive ability, have them help set this up. (Samples here: https://www.additudemag.com/learning-at-home-resources-schedule-elementary-school-adhd/)
Think about this routine as a rough outline of their school day except with extended creative times, breaks, recess, and lunch. Adults, this applies to you as well - get away from your computer; your wouldn't be at it 24/7 at work, don't do it at home. Let me tell you, this part is TOUGH! As an adult who has made this transition, it can still be a challenge.
It is not a routine that is written in stone, it is a guideline (kinda like the speed limit 🤣); your kiddo would prefer to do math first - let them, you don't want to listen to the saxophone - send them outside, they worked really hard and want an extra 15 minutes of screen time - so be it.
Teachers - you know this from your own class, remember that this will apply ten fold while your kiddos are at home. Help families the best you can with what this might mean for their lives - there won't be a one size fits all and that's okay.
- Flexibility will be key to everyone's sanity.
Technology will not cooperate on your end or the teachers at some point; it will be okay. If you can't get in, it's not the hill to die on - try again later and do something else (pick from that rough schedule). Your teacher's scheduled lesson or meeting fell apart because something won't connect, see if you can do it old school and have a phone call instead. You missed a lesson because something would connect, video what your family did to replace it and send it to their teacher later.
Most likely you have multiple working styles in your homes right now, adults and kiddos, and that is a tough learning curve. Johnny wants to work sprawled on the trampoline - fine. Becky wants to listen to music and you need it quiet - let her use those headphones. You/your husband needs a break - take everyone outside for a walk. In these times you are going to have to go with the flow. This is probably the most together time we've all been forced to spend together - it will be a learning curve and it will be alright. Remember, you can all do P.E. class together for lunch (since most of us can't set foot in a gym), pick a family meal and go all out - make it, bake it, and eat it together. Use this time to reconnect and put down the screens when we aren't working or schooling.
Teachers - you do this every day, continue to live by your flexible mantra from your classroom and it will make this distance learning thing a little easier. Kiddos won't want to be in a lesson as a scheduled time, can you send them a recording? You want a map of the Eastern World, they don't like the Atlas, can they build you one in MindCraft? Your technology will not cooperate, can you send a different YouTube link, game, or Khan Academy classroom or Prodigy assignment instead? I promise you, this isn't the hill to die on.
- Humor is vital.
Things not going your way, let it go.
- Creativity is here and now - grab hold and run with it.
You don't love the common core math, that's fine! You can teach them to carry the one or multiply without lattice - the world will keep turning. Your kiddo wants to know about your work, let them help. Think old school here - how can we thrive without screens if that's what we are facing constantly. Working on fractions - bake something together. Working on language - use their favorite book. Not a fan of messes - let your kids make them anyway. Want to learn a new skill - do it together. Can you work outside while your kiddos play - do it, the vitamin D will do us all well.
Teachers - the online world is also your oyster (and for most of you - no state assessments are coming up), what would you give them or assign to your student to allow them access to their creative side? Don't forget things like a TikTok, Bit Moji, Video, Hangout, live Blog, MindCraft, etc... Let the open-endedness of this drive your own creativity.
With some extra Kindness, Humor, Grace, and Flexibility we will get through May.
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