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THREADI want to share something joyful and delightful that’s been happening in my afternoon Grade 9 Geography class in virtual school.
Gather ‘round...
...Teaching virtually has been an incredible learning curve.
I wasn’t trained to do it this way.
The first couple of months were VERY difficult as we were all getting our sea legs...
I wasn’t trained to do it this way.
The first couple of months were VERY difficult as we were all getting our sea legs...
...Something many of you have probably heard (or experienced) is how students refuse to put on their mics or cameras.
I don’t like it, either, but I don’t have a right to be in their home. I’ve always been on the side of students on this one...
I don’t like it, either, but I don’t have a right to be in their home. I’ve always been on the side of students on this one...
...but truth be told, it was hard to create a sense of community when you can’t see nor hear your students.
Very strange experience.
But there are unexpected ways to build community and it usually only takes one student...
Very strange experience.
But there are unexpected ways to build community and it usually only takes one student...
...Every day, I take attendance. I call out the students’ names and they write “here” in the chat.
Until one day, about a month ago, instead of writing “here,” one of my students dropped a YouTube link.
So, I opened it...
Until one day, about a month ago, instead of writing “here,” one of my students dropped a YouTube link.
So, I opened it...
...AND I GOT RICK ROLLED!
I consider myself “with the times” when it comes to memes + whatnot but I had never heard of this. (It’s when Rick Astley shows up unexpectedly.)
But anyone who’s known me for 5 mins knows I’m obsessed with ‘80s music...
I consider myself “with the times” when it comes to memes + whatnot but I had never heard of this. (It’s when Rick Astley shows up unexpectedly.)
But anyone who’s known me for 5 mins knows I’m obsessed with ‘80s music...
...I revealed to my class just how much I loved getting Rick Rolled and told the student, “I know expect you to drop an ‘80s song for the rest of the quad for your attendance.”
He said, “Really?” I said, “You’ll lose marks if you DON’T.”
It’s been a month...
He said, “Really?” I said, “You’ll lose marks if you DON’T.”
It’s been a month...
...And here are the other songs he’s dropped in the chat for his attendance...
Earth, Wind, & Fire’s September
Earth, Wind, & Fire’s September
...Lionel Ritchie’s ALL NIGHT LONG...
...Toto’s HOLD THE LINE...
...The Police’s EVERY BREATH YOU TAKE...
...Michael Jackson’s BILLIE JEAN...
...Tears For Fears’ EVERYBODY WANTS TO RULE THE WORLD...
...Toto’s AFRICA...
...The Outfield’s YOUR LOVE...
...Queen’s ANOTHER ONE BITES THE DUST...
...Ah-Ha’s TAKE ON ME
(Featuring ME! LOL)...
(Featuring ME! LOL)...
...Whitney Houston’s I WANNA DANCE WITH SOMEBODY...
...Bonnie Tyler’s TOTAL ECLIPSE OF THE HEART...
...U2’s WITH OR WITHOUT YOU...
...Wham’s WAKE ME UP BEFORE YOU GO-GO...
...and today is was Madonna’s VOGUE...
...This student’s name is near the beginning of the alpha so we watch the music video as they watch me dance in my chair AND sing at the top of voice! LOL!
And I continue taking attendance during the song, and that’s how we start every class...
And I continue taking attendance during the song, and that’s how we start every class...
...The whole class is completely invested in this ritual, everyone loves it, we all look forward to attendance (kids are actually bummed out of their late and miss it).
All without mics, without cameras, but a lot of heart.
Maybe I should make a request for HEART.
Fin.
All without mics, without cameras, but a lot of heart.
Maybe I should make a request for HEART.
Fin.
