Back to school checklist: Virtual Learning Edition

1. Classroom Rules

At times, maintaining classroom management, while teaching online, can be challenging. It is important for students to know what is expected of them. I like to include the students in brainstorming a set of 5 rules for the classroom. These will look different for distance learning. For example, students may be given a designated time at the end of a lesson to type any questions they have into the chat box, or raise the virtual hand if they have questions. Another rule may request that students keep their microphones muted during direct instruction. It is important to ask yourself what will support an organized lesson online to allow students the best environment to learn.

2. Classroom Community

Walking into a room full of people you don’t know can be terrifying. Similarly online, students may be filled with trepidation on the first day. Establishing a community amongst your students will give them the sense of belonging and motivation needed to kick off a brand new school year. By getting to know your students, you can create an online classroom where students feel welcome and safe. Lead by example. You can introduce yourself, share your interests, share some pictures on google slides and encourage your students to do the same.You can host a show and tell, meet the pets, or spirit week. Seesaw is another excellent app for parents and students to participate. The first day of school is an opportunity for students to get to know you and their classmates. Icebreaker online may look a little different, roll the virtual dice and answer a question, spin the online spinner and find someone who has a pet, younger sibling or plays soccer. Here is a link to an icebreaker on my teachers pay teachers store Allow for students to share by starting your lessons with a daily check in, asking students to share one word how they are feeling or share a quote of the day.Many online platforms, allow breakout rooms where small groups of students can interact and participate in think pair share. Exit slips at the end of a lesson via the chat box can allow students to post a question or a take away from the lesson.

3. At Home Learning Environment

During pre-planning we focus on creating a welcoming, supportive, safe, thought provoking environment. The classroom environment is key to students’ success and their ability to actively learn. So how do we support this while students are learning from home? Well, there is only so much we can control, however, giving simple manageable suggestions to families for how to set up the home environment for learning is essential. A quiet workspace with a flat surface and school supplies ( pens, pencils, scissors, paper)

4. Class Schedule

Students are still developing executive functioning skills: organization, time management and perseverance. It is important that we support our students by giving them strategies to develop these skills. Providing brain breaks, clear concise directions for homework assignments and demonstrating step by step how to turn it in online, as well as setting a routine class schedule will help students to have predictability in this uncertain time.

5. Meet the Teacher

As you can imagine, parents are under a lot of stress in these uncertain times. As teachers, we need to provide a reassuring support system for them. Part of that is establishing a rapport with parents. With virtual teaching they are your eyes and ears in the “classroom”. Therefore, if we see them as our co-teachers, we can team together to ensure student success. Introducing yourself, sharing your bio; education, hobbies, interests and your goals for your students this school year, will reassure parents.