Unexpected changes to my routine gets me crazy, but having a day off was usually a welcome one. Now snow days like the worst kind of sick day. It's unexpected. I have to rethink my plans for the whole day and set it all up. Then instead of recuperating at home the next day I also have to perform on the camera. Nope. Nope. Nope.
Well, after I got over it, because what else can you do but
carry on, I did the holiday thing, caught up on sleep and reflected. After that it sunk in
that most teachers of elementary children are feeling the same as me. And since the reason I started this blog was
to share ideas, here you go!
7 Steps for Planning Your Virtual Learning Snow Day
1. 1. Start long term planning for student practice. Just as you will get your own materials together in a later step, you need to anticipate what materials your students will need to practice at home. My amazing teaching partner decided in September 2020 to create a remote learning toolkit for kids to keep at home all year, which we developed together. At the very least kids need pencils and paper. Our first graders also have a dry erase marker with a sheet protector, math manipulatives (discs, pattern blocks, a number line and a tens frame) and lined paper. We are also fortunate enough to have a Chromebook for each student and we use Google Meet in conjunction with Google Classroom for better privacy and security (if your students lack devices or internet access for remote instruction, my heart goes out to you and them. This post will not be helpful for you).
2. 2. Create your agenda template. I like a 4x4 table on Google Slides with a snowy background, and you can find one already made easily. I start out with routines such as lunch, specials, Morning Meeting/Work and calendar. Right away that takes care of a few blocks so the dreaded blank page is no more.
3. 3. Decide what objectives you want to focus on in your content areas. This is obviously the hardest part and there is a lot to consider. Realistically, some of your students might not access your instruction on remote learning days. Tech issues, weather issues, and child care issues happen. I try to focus more on review and enrichment than core lessons, but if you feel the need to do an important lesson, plan how you’ll support those students who miss it.
4. 4. Plan your content delivery. I’ve certainly evolved since 3/13/20 when it comes to my remote instruction toolkit. Here are some options.
a. Consider recording an instructional video to link in your agenda. If you need to present new content, consider making a video that they can view later, either at home or in class. My district paid for ScreenCastOmatic but I actually prefer using my phone since it lets me rotate the video when I accidentally record it sideways (which still happens about half the time). And I finally found a phone tripod (affiliate link) that works well for me. Like Goldilocks, one was too big, one was too small, and this one is just right.
b. Do a web search for a video that is already available (watch the whole video to make sure it’s good quality).
c. If you have a graphic organizer or visual online, you might share your screen.
d. Use low tech options such as markers on paper or a whiteboard. I find that a full sized easel or chart paper is unnecessary; just an 8.5x11 page is fine because you can hold it up to the camera. You should also get together math manipulatives and science materials. Unless your snow day is happening a few hours from now, make a list of items that are in your classroom that need to live at your house from now on. That way the next time snow is in the forecast you will have less to grab the day before.
5. 5. Select specific materials for students to practice with. If your school uses an online LMS (Learning Management System) such as Google Classroom or SeeSaw, take advantage of these and create or select activities that relate to your objectives. I can usually fit in a Phonics Sort for my first graders. You could also create writing prompts that require pencil and paper only. I always try to do a little of both to prepare them for next year.
6. 6. Prepare “Brain Breaks.” I like to create a Slide specifically dedicated to Brain Breaks and present my screen on Google Meet when it’s time. It’s obviously not healthy to sit in front of a screen for hours on end, so this is a great way to get kids moving. My class enjoys GoNoodle as well as the races on Classroom Timers. I tell them to keep our Meet open while they go get a drink, use the bathroom, or dance around. Some kids stay on to watch the race and guess the winner. For first grade, I try to get them up and moving for 3 minutes after every 20 minutes of instructional time.
7. 7. Choose a theme song. Remember before streaming services, back when TV had theme songs? It was so that if you tuned in a minute late you didn’t miss much. When I’m starting synchronous remote instruction over Google Meet, I like to give the children the same grace. I guess it’s because I used to struggle with punctuality. More importantly, the theme song really helps students log in and feel a sense of familiarity and routine. For first grade, I found this one very grounding during remote learning. Maybe once the pandemic is over we’ll graduate to something less basic. I use the theme song every time they come back to synchronous instruction (first thing in the morning, after lunch, after special, and after snack).
Bonus: Again, not everyone has the same access, but consider a block of time for self-directed learning. Does your school have a subscription to MobyMax, Freckle, HappyNumbers, EPIC, RazKids, STmath, or other online learning apps? (At the time of writing, EPIC has some free reading features, so check that out first). I like to dedicate a block to these. My first graders find it helpful for the block to sandwich snack in between 2 different apps to limit the number of logging in/out times. Then I use that 45 minute block to send invitations to students for small reading groups.
Now that you have all the parts, go back to your agenda template. Put links to the Brain Breaks and theme song in. Save this as your master template. Make a copy for a specific snow day, filling in (in a sentence or 2) the objective of each subject in your remaining boxes. Add an extra sentence about the product you are expecting from students (for example: “Return your list to school tomorrow.”). This way you and your families remember everything they need once the day’s lessons are over and they get to unplug. Then make sure you scheduled all your assignments that you chose in step 5. Finally, share your agenda with families, either on your LMS or Email. I like to make a separate copy to share with families. That way I can make extra notes on my own copy.
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