Helping Kids to Feel Secure
This is a hard time in our lives. It is possibly the hardest many of us have experienced. As adults, we can grasp “adult” information with a vast background of experiences and reasoning. With children it is different. It is common to think they are so resilient they will take everything in stride. But kids KNOW there is something wrong now. BECAUSE children lack the experience and reasoning of adults, we have the responsibility of assuring them everything is under control, even tho we ourselves may not feel it at times.
What Can Teachers Do to help Kids Feel Secure?
By this time, most schools are either already out, or are contemplating the next weeks to months of how to educate our kids while safeguarding the health of everyone. From how to best communicate with our students, to how to get lessons delivered and returned, it is mindboggling! Many districts are working on contingency plans for this emergency. If students have good connectivity, it is as simple as picking a common app. If not, it becomes more dicey. Whatever your plan, you have an enormous opportunity to influence the most vulnerable of our population: our kids.
No. 1 Thing!!! Establish Your Classroom Community
Your very first lesson as an online classroom teacher should promote community and caring among your students. To accomplish this, it is so important to use great literature. Here is one of my favorite stories about how community cares for animals:
Don’t Forget to Throw in Some Fun!
This is EPIC! Mo Willems has decided to provide drawing lessons online at Noon most days! You must check it out! It could spark a great story for writing journal time!
News About Seesaw!! Teaching Kids Remotely\
Seesaw has done something phenominal! They have added Home Access to the app so you can use it for instructional purposes and sharing! The remote learning tutorial document walks you through setting up a class step-by-step. This is my choice for remote learning. Check and see if your district is on board before using this method though!
Go to this link for details:
https://web.seesaw.me/remote-learning-for-teachers
There are tons of resources for teachers online! Be sure to check your favorite Facebook Groups for tons of links and ideas.
Know that I am with you as we continue this new uncharted journey. My prayers are with you and your families, as well as the whole country.
Leave a Reply