Hello Friends,
I know that this time is especially chaotic and most of us have found navigating this new virtual space overwhelming. I wanted to pop in and share some avenues of online learning that I will be employing in the coming weeks, as well as some ways to keep your students engaged during this incredibly difficult time.
If, like me, you aren’t used to online platforms for teaching, it can be pretty daunting to get started. Thankfully, my school has done a wonderful job at finding ways for us to communicate effectively with each other, as well as our students. With that said, I know that one-size does not fit all in this situation, and we have to consider how to equitably deliver our lessons to each student.
Online Platforms:
With the new charge for distance learning during this pandemic, most schools are choosing to provide online learning support. These can be anything from video conferences with students, recorded lessons, and online assignments. Here are a few that we are using as a school, as well as some that I have found to be pretty interesting that I may want to try myself.
- Zoom: Zoom is very similar to skype or google hangouts in that it provides a way to interface with a large number of people at once. The great thing about Zoom is that you can hold lessons within the application, share your screen (or multiple screens) and PowerPoint files, and employ a whiteboard feature to instruct directly in the app. The host has the ability to mute all participants, and students may “raise a hand” when they would like to speak.
- Screencastify: This is another application designed to deliver lessons through video and screen-sharing. Within this app, you can deliver a PowerPoint lesson while recording yourself talking. The downside to this application is that the lessons do not happen in real-time, but you are able to share the videos through email or other apps.
- Jamboard: Jamboard is an application within Google. With this app you can utilize the digital white board, import images, add notes, and flip through slides.
- Google Suite: I don’t have a huge amount of experience using Google Classroom, but it serves as a portal to communicate with your students and team members, as well as deliver online assignments. You can use it in conjunction with other Google apps and features which allows you to share documents, videos, etc. with each other.
- Flipgrid: Flipgrid is an app designed to facilitate communication and connection among your students. You can pose daily questions to your students and they can respond via their webcam. The possibilities are endless with this app as you can use it as a daily discussion question, reading group reflections, etc.
Online Resources:
While creating video content and conducting online meetings through a virtual “facetime” simulator is a very enriching experience for our students, it isn’t sustainable for a 7-hour school day. It’s just as important to find other avenues of learning to create a robust learning experience for our students. Here are some online resources I have found that can add depth, as well as independent learning opportunities outside the classroom.
- Scholastic: We all have heard of Scholastic before. Yes, they supply us with discounted rates on books, but they also have an incredible library of learning materials available to educators. They have even set up a page dedicated to distance learning. Click the link here to get started.
- Discovery Education: This site hosts free virtual field trips for students that come with a separate, downloadable educator guide. Lessons range from science and STEM to social-emotional learning. Post activities are included in the teacher guides.
- Audio Books: Audible is now offering free audiobooks for students across several age levels. While they have not provided their entire library, there are several titles including classics and modern literature to choose from.
- ETC: ETC Montessori is offering Montessori teachers the opportunity for licenses to their digital curriculums. To access this benefit, simply email the sales team which licenses you would like access to and they will coordinate the rest. Find the library of digital curriculum here.
- Nature and Science: The Denver Museum of Nature and Science has created a PDF document to help students and parents while at home. There are activities ranging from STEM and Outdoor Fun, to cooking and art projects. Here is the complete list: https://www.dmns.org/learn/at-home-science-fun/
- AMS: The American Montessori Society has compiled a list of 100 activities for Montessori Elementary Students. I have included the link to the COVID-19 resources homepage for your reference. https://amshq.org/COVID19
I know that as educators, especially Montessorians, our hearts are hurting a lot at this time. We can’t get into our classrooms and teach using the materials we believe in or build relationships with our students face-to-face. It seems as if our entire profession is being challenged through this pandemic, and, for me, it has been difficult to find a silver lining through all of this. But the good news is that there is one.
After spending several days in an overwhelmed, sad, anxious state, I tried to look at things differently. We were taught in our training to be creative, to embrace the Montessori philosophy and core materials, but to also be innovative when there isn’t a material available. We are artists, architects, and problem-solvers of the highest regard. I know that with a little innovation and resilience, we can make this whole new world work to our advantage.
Personally, I have found ways to use my talents and interests to teach in creative, sustainable ways while separated from my classroom and my students. I know you can too. Make a list of your hobbies, your interests, your strengths, and draw from them. Use them to transform your teaching model into a newer and better one that fits with our current situation. And, above all else, have grace with yourself, your students, and their parents throughout this process. This is new to everyone, and it isn’t going to be perfect. But, as Montessorians, we know that the process of getting to our destination far-outweighs the destination itself. Trust it, sit with it, and believe that it will all work out for the good of your students.
❤
Montessori On My Mind 