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So I’ve been doing distance learning for about 3 weeks now, and here are my takeaways: 1-they are going to surprise you. In a good way. Students who were reluctantly shy to speak in the physical building are some of the most loud and proud and engaged during DIstance learning
2-never under estimate the pre call. The pre call is the call to students who need that extra motivation before class or that heads up to let them know that you’ll be calling on them today and maybe even discuss the prompt you want their response to. This is a confidence builder
3-intellectual preparation is everything . The more prepared I am heading into each live virtual lesson, the more optimal our learning time can be. I have to have a clear understanding of the outcome of that text and put students in a position to succeed with the independent work
4-which leads to the 4th point: outcomes r everything.If I want scholars to write a short response in which they compare ideas between texts, I have to ensure that I’ve developed those ideas in each text, individually, with them.
4 contd.-this sense of strategic instructional alignment paces the instruction in a way that organically grows their skill and confidence and puts them in a position where the lesson becomes a reference that they can harken back to as needed
5th-never apologize for being a parent and your scholars or other staff seeing that. NEVER APOLOGIZE. I am not sorry that I am teaching my students and my own children. In fact, I’m damn proud.
6th-live lessons aren’t enough. Some students still need those check-ins AFTER the lesson is done to make sure they have processed what they’re being tasked with. Be intentional and equitable about supporting our babies and you will see outcomes academically and socially
7th-Quality over quantity. As you build your instructional framework, be sure to focus on quality. Dive deeply into one component of a program and build that up and out. Ensure students have it. Add a component. And repeat. Less is more rn. This naturally alleviates angst.
8th-I’m gon teach you. And it ain’t a damn thang you can do to stop me. I’ve had to reach out to students and let them and their parents know that school isn’t over and they have a right to quAlity service and instruction and I’m not letting up on that mission.
9th-be you. Do you. Regardless of the space we are in. Our teacher presence is everything, and we have to convey joy and pride and love and belief. Yesterday, my students started class w/a virtual dance party. My daughters even joined in
10th-lastly, give yourself grace. Understand that this is new for us all. Expect to have things happen that ur not prepared for or didn’t anticipate. Chalk it up the game, adjust and grow from it all. Y’all are doing amazing work and I’m so honored to be in this field w/y’all
