“I am so happy to see my students and work with them – even if it is over Zoom!” she shared.
Courageous and determined educators are working diligently to connect with students through distance learning due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Social studies teacher Eric Shin was able to enlarge student’s virtual Zoom images by cleverly projecting on a whiteboard pull-down screen.
“A teacher friend shared the tip with me!” he said at his new workspace designed with two laptops, stool, and world globe neatly arranged on empty desks in the center of the classroom.
Shin spent time during the first week of school getting to know students and helping them learn how to regulate emotions.
“It’s so necessary right now,” he shared of the priority to create a positive classroom culture.
“Then the kids started asking, ‘When are we going to actually going to start history, Mr. Shin?’” he said.
“So, I told them ‘this is the day - I hope you enjoy it!’”
His 7th grade classes are now learning about Mesoamerica.
“We’re beginning our world histories with America – more specifically Central and South America,” he said to students.
“Your Google Form questions from the lesson on pages 368-369 are due tomorrow night.”
Math teacher Deb Brady utilizes the free WhiteBoard.fi program that allows to her to monitor her geometry students’ work live during class.
“Nicely done, you guys are getting it,” she said to the laptop screen as students solved segment addition problems on August 17.
“So far, it’s working!” she said.
Science teacher Megan Kojder’s students had a chance to get creative while designing personal Bitmoji scenes.
“If you have a question ask me in the chat!” she said to the faces of her online group.
“Give me a thumbs up if you’re there,” she prompted.
“The kids are using science, even though they didn't realize it, by learning the CER (Claim, Evidence, Reasoning) method of asking and answering questions,” Kojder explained.
During Zoom breakout groups, students are able to make correct inferences (using the CER method) based on their scenes.
Teaching from home, Cassie Lambert reviewed an Elements of Literature lesson with 40-seventh grade Advanced Language Arts students before they created a digital infographic to help teach content to other classes.
“So far, distance learning is going better than expected,” Larson commented.
“Together, we’ve sorted out the hiccups that have come along as a class.”
Larson said her students have been "an amazing help."
“They love to solve technical problems and work with each other to find a solution.”
“And they are demonstrating an immense amount of compassion, patience, and resilience.”
Shown:
#WeMissOurStudents! South Pointe Middle School teachers Zoom with students during the second week of distance learning.