My Year of Teaching Virtually

I hated virtual teaching.

I said it. I hated it.

You think it would have been easy because I am considered "tech-savvy." Integrating tech when I teach is second nature for me. So, this should have been easy. Right?

Except, I hated it.

We started our mornings with our 5 minute Waiting Room, then moved on to our Virtual Morning Meeting. We played games on Gimkit, Quizizz, 99Math, and all the new and improved sites that were meant to engage the students in the square boxes.

We created books on Book Creator, went on virtual field trips, (even made homemade ice cream), collaborated on Jamboard and in Breakout Rooms, and worked on assignments posted in Schoology. 

I worked hard to make sure the year was not a loss. (As so many seem to think. I beg to differ..)

But, something was missing.

The best tech in the world couldn't replace it.

The greeting at the door.

The buzz as students greeted friends and got ready for the day.

The gathering at the kidney table, for those who needed just a little more help.

Raised hands. "Real" ones.

Laughter. (These kids didn't laugh on ZOOM, no matter how corny my jokes were.)

The scrape of moving chairs.

Hugs.

Field trips. Outside. In buildings.

Walking down the hall.

Working. (Me seeing you working, or not.)

Social interactions. Aaaah yes, social interactions!

I have a few years of teaching left, and I hope I never have to teach virtually again. 

My year of teaching virtually. Hated it!

Head, Shoulders, No Knees and Toes. Teaching Virtually.

I miss my class. :( 

I miss being with my class. 

I see them every day, cameras, on, cameras off. A glimpse here, a glimpse there.

I saw them once, some of them, when they met me at the school to pick up their "gifts" I got from DonorsChoose. 

We saw each other in "real life!" So exciting!

I miss getting up and going out the door, fighting traffic, road raging at those who wish to make me late.

I miss rushing to get ready because I am not the teacher who is there an hour before school starts.

I miss chatting with my colleagues.

I miss high-fiving my students and teaching them that saying "Good Morning" when someone says it to you is normal.

I miss my planning time that moves at twice the speed of light.

I miss small group at the kidney table. Small group in class vs. Breakout rooms? Small group wins every. time.

I miss moving between and around  desks.

I miss my gorgeous carpet, along with all the flexible seating you could ask for!

I miss students at desks, on the couch, at the standing desk, the rocking chair,...

I miss the snow falling while we are still at school, and everyone, including me, being distracted.

I miss my name called one thousand, two thousand times a day.

I miss having my students actually complete their work because I am there. I am present. 

I miss the dropping off, and the picking up of my students, constantly, throughout the day.

I miss the secretary's smile and cheerful greeting.

Once I get back, I will probably yearn for the time I was home.

I know it is what is best. I know I am fortunate that I have the opportunity to teach from home.

But still, I miss my class.

I miss being with my class.:(

Schoology Updates with a Dash of Bitmoji!

When I learned how to create a Bitmoji slide, it was a game-changer for me. 

When I learned how to add the slide to Schoology and post as an update, I was over the moon! 

Yes, it's the little things. 😎

So, every week , I change my updates. I saved the template, so all I have to do is switch out the image.Ta-da! 

My updates include the message on the board, our "quote of the week" poster, somewhere to sit, and myself,  via Bitmoji, with my motivating message. It's not interactive, just an image. If you want interactive, this video is great.

I change my Bitmoji every week, the walls and floor sometimes, and the furniture.

This week, I added a window because we studied moon phases, and I wanted to make them aware of the Penumbral Lunar Eclipse.

It's just something easy that I do to give my students something to look at when they enter Schoology for the umpteenth time. 

And a little creativity to help me keep my sanity in this virtual classroom world!