In teaching when we have difficulty reaching a student with a topic we will go back to foundational skills and build up. Since we're having a hard time connecting with @AdrianaLaGrange I thought I'd flip back to the K curriculum (hers, obvi) and go from there.

I'd like to share this fable that I wrote, hoping it will "awaken a sense of wonder" for our MoE. And, since we all know that a fable is a story, usually featuring animals, that contains a moral then maybe we'll all learn something along the way. #AbLeg #AbEd

There was once a wise, somewhat sarcastic, and very empathetic owl. This owl worked very hard to care for and educate all of the young forest critters. She dreamed up big, exciting, engaging lessons to help them understand the world around them. She loved her role in the forest.

One day a very deadly disease started spreading through the forest. All of the weasels told everyone it was like a bad flu and not to worry, it definitely wouldn't spread through the young forest critters and it definitely wouldn't affect the owl's classes. The owl wasn't so sure

A year after the disease started to spread, after many ups and down, changes, and interruptions to the learning in Owl's class the disease got so bad that all of the older forest critters had to start learning from home online (it's a sophisticated forest, k?).

Owl, being a well-planned professional, had a very cool task planned to teach her critters about democratic systems and ideologies. She had worked hard with her team to develop a task that was inclusive, scaffolded, and engaging. Owl was proud of this plan.

When they found out about the pivot to online learning, Owl and her team adapted the task to work online. On paper is seemed to be equitable and accessible without losing collaboration and inclusion. It seemed great and Owl was excited to work through it with her class.

When it came time to do the task it slowly fell apart. On Day 1 the young critters had a difficult time establishing group dynamics in the online environment. Owl went through group by group to clarify expectations and establish some roles based on their needs.

On Day 2 a bunch of critters who thought online learning was optional came back and needed an alternative assignment. Owl worked with them to figure out something reasonable and equitable to what their peers were working on in groups.

On Day 3 there was a major technology obstacle. Owl worked with each group to overcome that and introduced alternative plans. One group fell apart completely and needed a new assignment for half the members and a modified version of the original for the other half.

On Day 4 though, everyone was accounted for.
Everyone had plans to help them find success.
Everyone felt supported, cared for, seen, and accommodated.

Owl reflected on the original plan she had made. It seemed so good but it failed in a lot of ways. In the end she was satisfied that she was able to adapt to the changing situations, change the plan, and ensure everyone got through the task successfully.

Sometimes plans don't work and we need to respond to the situation. That can mean making new plans, adapting old plans, or creating individualized plans. What's most important is that we respond to the situation in front of us and do what's best for all of the forest.

So the moral of this fable, Minister, is that sometimes no matter how prepared and planned we are, we need to admit that something isn't working and change it. It's not too late to change your plan for schools and create a safe and equitable environment for all of us.

PS - the owl is me, the critter are my students, the forest is Alberta, and the weasels are the @UCPCaucus. obviously.

Tagging @shoffmanAB and @JanisIrwin because I know they also care a lot about owls and forest critters.

@threadreaderapp unroll please