thread - distance learning lessons of the day.
1. asked my students if they want to start every class with a 5-minute breakout where they can just talk to each other and catch up without me monitoring. They loved the idea. Will be implementing on Tuesday.

2. started breakout session games. Competition of who could name the most strengths of an animal in 6 minutes. Winner gets a signed copy of my last book mailed to them - http://amzn.to/2nwGu0I  (NOTE: over the years students preferred getting a book by me as a class memento)

3. my big fear is the loss of social ties in the summer. So I am doing an online pool of who wants to give their email and will keep an ongoing email thread w students to provide mentorship & class friendships to carryover into the Fall. they loved the idea. Its an opt-in.

4. spent time w them to talk about immunity. The science of exercise building physical immunity and the dangers of alcohol and drugs that sap one's immunity. I gave them an annoying parental figure trigger warning (sorry @paytonjjones)

5. After every few minutes I say this - time for me to stop babbling. Use the chat room and chimney sweep thoughts, questions, beefs, connections, or just random thoughts. my students love it as people say hilarious shit that keeps the mojo going for class.

6. don't forget as the instructor - do personal reveals instead of hypotheticals to form connections. have fun with them - lighten the f up for them, for you. and keep reminding them of exactly what you are doing to lighten the load & grade emphasis. good luck out there!