Janet and Kayla


We have begun!  And, full steam ahead!  So much sound “stuff”, staff.  We are charting our path forward, and we will need to monitor our path and adjust our focus and our directions.  All of us know that.  We must give our time and space to learn how best to teach our students virtually. 

ISBE recommends that districts strive to provide students with at least 2.5 hours of “synchronous” learning with real time instruction and interaction between students and teachers.  We need to break down the meaning of the word “synchronous”.  I am taking a broad definition of their recommendation - that is, we need to put on our teacher hats and know that much of what you will be doing with your students - e.g. mini lesson on key concepts along with student interaction around the concept and students applying the main concept independently - all examples of synchronous learning.  Let’s not get stressed out and hung up on spending 2.5 hours of our day directly delivering live instruction. 

Let me break down what I learned by observing a kindergarten class this morning.  Kayla and Janet led their class of 20 students. I observed a time block of about an hour. Here’s a breakdown of their teaching.
  • Continual explicit teaching of procedures directed at developing the kindergartners abilities to respond virtually
    • Practice turning microphones on and off
    • Practice on responding to being present in the session
    • Practice on reciting “good morning” greeting
    • Practice on the use of raising hand around the mouth in order to show a raised hand
  • Invitation to parents encouraging parents to help their students when they are struggling 
  • “Show and Tell” morning meeting as a way for teachers to learn more about their students and interests
    • Supporting students social emotional health
    • A means to connect to each kindergartner
  • iPad Eye Break/Stretching Exercises
    • Responding to the physical needs of kindergarten age students
  • Lesson on similarities and differences
    • Glove activity
    • Students break away into independent practice on similarities and differences
Staff, I’m sharing with you my analysis as an example of “how” to plan a block of time. Outstanding job, Janet and Kayla.  I saw a lesson that is tight; a lesson designed around the needs of your kindergarteners; a lesson that is building engagement and connection; a lesson that gives instruction.  You would have much the same approach in real time as you did virtually. 

Marty







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