Virtual is the new Reality

In the Spring for 2020, the world began to experience closed businesses and schools due to the Coronavirus Pandemic. Teachers began "emergency response teaching" through virtual means. In the span of two weeks, we flipped our entire teaching from face-to-face to virtual instruction, with little-to-no guidance or training. Of course, we did our best given the situation; that's what teachers do. However, it was seen as inadequate education for many reasons.

Fast forward to the Fall of 2020. We've now been socially distancing, staying home, and staying safe for six months. We've seen loved ones endure the varying effects of the virus, and may have even said goodbye to a friend or family member. Yet...school and life must go on. Districts have spent hours upon hours strategizing on plans to reopen schools in the safest way possible. But for Palm Beach, and many other large districts, the safest solution is to remain virtual for the time being. Over the summer months, teachers have poured into professional development, become Google or Microsoft certified, and have done everything to prepare themselves to provide the best educational experience for a new set of students.

I will share my favorite sites, apps, and extensions in the links section of this site. In the meantime, here is my plan for back to school 20-21. I teach 8th grade ELA and have ESE and ESOL students. This plan may be modified and adapted to fit the needs of your unique students.

BACK TO SCHOOL- VIRTUAL STYLE

I want to start the year with an even playing field for all students, regardless of their virtual learning experiences in the spring. The first week we will cover some online etiquette, navigating basics, as well as get to know the teacher and classmates. I plan to integrate the activities, so that while students are getting used to an app or learning platform, they're also practicing etiquette skills and getting to know their classmates. I understand that students have 5 other classes each day, so the plan will be very straightforward and might seem simple. I assure you, it all builds online skills that students need to be successful in any online learning environment.

THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL....VIRTUALLY

On the first day of school, I will begin our Google Meets sessions as enthusiastically as any other first day of school. The students will know from day 1 that I have high expectations, I am fair, but I'm goofy and making learning fun, too. I will begin by introducing the Google Classroom, with a focus on the interactive banner (see below). For more information howto create this banner watch this video. The banner tour will not only show students where to find information, but also model my expectations for their first assignment: My Virtual Locker.

Mail, Instagram, Twitter images link to social media and school email

SMARTBOARD icons link to apps/sites that we will use frequently

Google Meet code is posted and also linked for easy access

Daily agenda will be linked to folder with daily/weekly objectives and agendas

After 20-30 minutes of my live introduction and virtual classroom tour, students will be instructed to brainstorm what is most important to them and how they would decorate locker if they had one. The brainstorming is step 1 to the assignment and will be uploaded and submitted within 24 hours.

On day 2, I will begin by thanking the students for completing their work and submitting. If any students have questions about the brainstorming assignment or how submit, I will answering during the whole-class Google Meet.

Because good teachers scaffold EVERYTHING, I will continue with my introductions, expectations in the Google Meets, and navigating the Google Classroom. Next, we will continue with the My Locker Assignment. Today and tomorrow, students will be creating their virtual lockers in Google Slides. I will create some standard backgrounds from which they can choose. When assigning the slides in the GClassroom, it's important to select make a copy for each student, so that no one runs into problems ("how do I make a copy? I can't make any changes..."). I will teach how to make your own copy on the next assignment. Remember, keep it simple.

By sharing my screen, I will do a quick demo on how to find items to put in your locker (add image, search the web, type item plus "transparent" or "png"). Then, students will have the remainder of class to begin their lockers, while I am still active in the Meet for any questions.

Students will have the class period to finish their My Locker Assignment and submit it for grading. The district policy states that students must have no less than 24 hours to submit an assignment, so it will officially be due on day 4. As I collect completed assignments, I will compile all the slides together into a view-only slide deck that will be shared will all students in the respective class period. This will allow students to view other work and get to know their classmates in a safe, non-intimidating way. They will also learn how to make comments on classmate's work inside of Google Slides. This is a skill we will use later on when working collaboratively.

WEEK 2...Moving Right Along...

During second week, we'll dive deeper into expectations and become familiar with our online learning platforms. To do this, I will assign Digital Back-to-School Stations. This activity runs through Google Slides and contains four activities: an informational survey, directions on how to sign up for Noredink.com, Reading Plus, Flipgrid, and Belouga.org; explanation of the course syllabus, and a digital syllabus scavenger hunt. I used The Daring English Teacher's station slides from TPT, but modified the content to fit my needs.

The most beneficial station here is the account station. To prep the station, it's important to have the teacher account and class codes created in advance. Traditionally, I have students keep a password and class code cheat sheet in the front of their binders, but this year it will be kept in the Google Classroom's "class information" folder. Doing this is beneficial, especially as students are expected to be more independent this year and won't have my constant reminders of how to login to each site.

Establishing Class Norms Together

This year is going to be unlike any other school year. In order to help my students open up and feel more comfortable working in a virtual setting, I plan to have students be involved in setting our class norms.

To begin brainstorming, I will have students independently answer these questions:

- What does participation in a Meet look like?

- What are the expectation of teacher/students in a Meet?

- What kind of deadlines for assignments help students manage their time best?

- What should be the consequence or action from the teacher if a student misses a Meet without any notification?

- In what situations should the teacher contact the parents of a student?

- What can the teacher/students do to ensure classroom success?

The questions will be presented to the entire class with a day two of "think time" before we have a discussion via Meet, then a follow-up collaborative document discussion. I will encourage students to share their thoughts and opinions in whichever way they feel most comfortable. By establishing these norms together, I hope that students will have full buy-in, but also feel seen and heard. They are not random names behind computer screen.