Learning in the Fall: Online, Hybrid, or In Person?
- UpperElementaryMadeSimple
- Jun 25, 2020
- 4 min read
We don't all know what learning in the fall will look like, but whether we are back in the classroom with various restrictions or trying to teach fully online again, here are some tips that might be helpful.
Planning for lessons is an entirely different ball game when it comes to online teaching, not to mention trying to teach in a hybrid method with half of your students in the classroom and the other half at home. Sometimes the best way to reach all students (especially in an unusual situation) is to keep it simple! I am sharing a set of Google Slides that I used this past year to teach online. These were shared with my class each day with links to videos and resources. The students had to visit 1 Google Classroom and click on 1 assignment. Everything else was there for them. Access this FREE Google Slides Assignment Template HERE (or the image below).
If we continue teaching online in the fall, there are a few things I will do differently. There are also a few things that I found worked really well.
Provide daily office hours where students can call, email, or video chat. Be focused on meeting their needs at that time. I would do the same if in a hybrid model. Keep these hours limited to 2 or 3 hours, but don't feel like you shouldn't answer a student outside of those hours. Students need to know you are their for them, but know your limits and stick to them!
Do video meetings more often. During our time at home, I focused on one video meeting each week. I had 50 - 75 percent of the class participate each time, but I felt as though I couldn't reach each student as well during these larger meets. I would do one whole group "morning meeting" style video chat at the beginning of each week, but offer small group video meetings throughout the remainder of the week to focus on specific reading and math needs.
Keep a communication log. This may be something your district required, but it is also good practice for teaching, especially if you are not seeing students face-to-face every day. Get a FREE Communication Log Template HERE (or the image below) that I used this past spring to keep track of students attending Google Meets, completing assignments, communicating with parents, and other important notes.
In my mind, those are the three big items that are a "must do" for learning online. You need to be available to your students and keep in contact regularly if you are not in the classroom. Parents will also appreciate the effort you are putting in. You don't need to email or call parents every day...they will be overwhelmed too! But you do need to be in contact, providing updates on assignments, meeting dates and times, and the students work/effort.
If we end up in person, in the classroom, there will most certainly be restrictions on classroom space, sharing materials, etc. Here are a few tips to get you started in planning for the fall!
1. Create a small packet of student materials that each student has access to so they don't have to
share. This packet could include:
scissors
glue
pencils/pens
sticky notes
dry erase marker
highlighter
colored pencils
math manipulatives (dice, cubes, counters, etc.)
clipboard
dry erase board
2. Have study dividers ready if you need to separate students farther. I always keep a few of these on hand, but plan to have more this fall. An easy fix is to purchase the cardboard tri-fold presentation boards at a Dollar Tree and cut them in half. These create the perfect student space separate from other students. They also make great study aids if you attach a few reference sheets inside for students.
3. Pre-record important mini lessons. Video yourself ahead of time teaching mini lessons for reading, writing, or math. You might have to wear a mask and the constant talking, particularly talking louder than usual to be heard, will wear on your voice. Recording lessons beforehand allows you to show these in class, pause and discuss if necessary, and post them online for students to view at home if in a hybrid model. Who knows...maybe you will decide to embrace a flipped classroom approach next year!
4. Have a cleaning station ready to go! This may already be a district requirement, but your student center may look a little different this year. Have plenty of hand sanitizer and maybe even hand wipes ready to go by the door. You may even want to invest in individual tissue packs or have a small box for each student at their desk. This will cut down on students touching and using the same materials throughout the day. Keep Clorox wipes on hand to quickly wipe down common surfaces or materials if students happen to share.
While we don't know exactly what next school year will look like, you can start planning now. Create a mix of online and paper materials. You may have more ability to send home student packets, and if in a hybrid model, you will want a diverse mix of materials.
If you are looking for more online materials, check out the following links to resources in my Teachers Pay Teachers store.
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