I am mildly frustrated that as schools are announcing going virtual that we have wasted so much time in preparing Ts and Ss for what felt inevitable.

I had an idea for those secondary schools that are starting the school year virtually. You can have it.

Thread. 1/

NOTE: This idea assumes we have figured out how to remove all barriers of accessibility, access and funding during a pandemic. <---Figuring this out is actually where we need our best thinking. I asked y'all to vote in 2016, but here we are.

Moving on...
2/

I will have two middle schoolers in a few weeks and if they have to start virtually, there is no way that they will be able to be on Zooms all day moving from class to class like they would in a traditional building. 3/

I propose that schools that are starting virtually only ask secondary Ss to take two classes for a fixed amount of time. I am thinking it could be 3 - 6 weeks. Whatever would be enough for "credit." We make that up so we can change it. 4/

Ss would take one class in the AM and one in the PM (If they have a "live" class. That may not be necessary.) This format would allow them to build relationships with their Ts and classmates - two things that are major concerns based on what I am reading on here. 5/

The format would also allow them to not get behind on their work from the first day of school, and possibly go to jail (Wtf? #FREEGRACE already). 6/

Ts would be able to support a smaller number of Ss (I am thinking no more than 50), be able to engage in real collaboration with one other T, and provide meaningful learning experiences and feedback to Ss. 7/

After the pre-determined number of weeks, Ss and Ts transition to two new classes. The Ss don't have to stay together because they will be given the same amount of time to build relationships with their Ts and new Ss. 8/

I have no idea how the numbers shake out. Hire more Ts. We needed that anyway.

I am sure there are things that I did not think of and would love for you to add your best thinking to this thread. If I am late to this thinking, sorry! 9/

No one is coming to save us - in fact, it feels like the exact opposite - so we are going to have to save ourselves.

End.