Tales from the Chat 2

Because of the way block scheduling works at our school, I teach four of my five sections alternating two and two every other day, but there is one class I see every day for half a block. Splitting the lesson and activities in a way that makes sense adds an extra layer of planning, but so far it hasn't been too bad. I do have to give that group two additional chat snaps every week, though, and that has led to some interesting conversations. 

For example, yesterday, since we were working on character traits, I asked them if they would consider themselves extroverts or introverts. I happen to have an assistant working with me in that class, and she and I have known each other for at least 20 years. She is an extrovert, and I am an introvert, something we have joked about a few times over the years. Before we read the answers, I asked the students to guess what we were. They knew Ms. P was an extrovert right away. "She's so smiley and friendly," one student said, "you can just tell!"

"What about me?" I asked. 

"You're definitely an extra!" one kid said. "You do everything in this class, and you are definitely always talking!"

"That's funny!" I said, "because that's just my teaching personality. Right Ms. P?"

"Oh yes!" she told them. "Ms. S is very quiet!"

Maybe because they've never met me in person, they were unconvinced. 

"Let's try to guess what the students are," I suggested to Ms. P. and we went down the list, making our predictions. Believe it or not, we got every single one right. I'd have to say we aced that formative assessment.

Sometimes it seems hard to believe that we are really reaching the kids we are teaching from a distance; getting to know them, making connections, and building bonds from so far away seems impossible. But there are small signs everywhere, you just have to check for them.

Tales from the Chat

When did we become such a people of indecision? Lately it seems that every answer the students give me begins with "It depends" or ends with "some where in the middle." It's so wishy washy!

For example, before we started our lesson on organizing an argument essay this week, I asked the kids to reply in the chat whether they thought they were organized or disorganized. A few students were willing to commit quickly and succinctly with one choice or the other, but most of them wanted to split some hairs, equivocating along the lines of what the situation was or how long it would take to become and/or stay organized. 

There were a couple of great answers though. One kid confessed that he was extremely disorganized, but he could always find whatever he needed. Speaking as one with a similar approach, it sounds like he has system, whether he knows it or not. 

Another boy wrote that he used to be disorganized, but that had changed. 

I asked him to unmute and elaborate. 

"Well," he started, "at the beginning of the school year everything was new and confusing." 

I nodded sympathetically. 

"Distance learning was hard," he continued, "and I lost track of some things. But now I'm really organized!"

"Wow! What changed?" I asked, impressed.

"I have some folders," he explained, "and my mom sits right next to me."

Now, she seems like a resolute person.

A Couple of Shakes

Just when I was feeling kind of low about the limitations of distance learning, a couple of genuine connections with kids grabbed me by the shoulders and gave me a shake. 

With block schedule, I teach 2 1/2 classes a day, the same lesson 5 times, but one of those sessions is split over 2 days. I'm really lucky that the first group I have most of the time is very high functioning and pretty small. They are the perfect trial subjects, and I often tweak the plans when their class is over. That's what happened today-- I realized that an opportunity for collaboration would improve the assignment, and so I quickly set up breakout groups for the next class. 

Many of those kids are English language learners, but again, they are very compliant and generally hardworking, and hopping in and out of their small groups as they worked together to complete their assignment was amazing. Not only were they helping each other, but when I was there they were also asking questions and interacting with me; it was a refreshing break from the radio silence that I hear so much of the time. 

In the next class, My trusty teaching assistant was running a bit late from her earlier class, and so I asked for a volunteer to read the chat as I checked the students off for attendance and participation. There was a moment of awkward silence, but then one girl, who is usually pretty shy, unmuted her mic and accepted the job. It was so great to hear a new voice transforming the monologue to more of a conversation, and what was even better? The other kids posted much more quickly. I think we might be on to something there!

And honestly? I'm willing to give almost anything a shake to help these students engage a little bit more with their learning.

I Wash My Hands

The latest update for the Apple Watch OS has a hand-washing feature. Any time my watch senses enough back and forth motion of the hands a little chime sounds and a timer counts down to 20 seconds. When all is done, and my hands are clean, a little message of congratulations glows on the tiny screen. It's silly, but after a day spent in front of the computer, when my exercise and move goals seem almost certain to be unattainable, it sure is nice to know that I can wash my hands like nobody's business!

Goodnight Garden

There's a frost warning tonight, and so when I hung up from my final meeting of the day, I laced up my boots and walked up to the garden this afternoon. The day was sunny, but blustery and kind of cold; dark and light clouds raced across the sun, and it felt like the forecast was right. Two hours and twenty pounds of green tomatoes later, our plot was cleared out. Cages stacked and compost bin full, I hefted that last bag of bounty onto my shoulder, closed the gate for the season, spun the combo on the lock, and headed home.

Say Yes to the Turnips

 What does Thanksgiving look like in 2020?

Not sure, but I did get the rutabagas today!

The Will and the Way

I woke up stressing about the plants on my deck and the next unit in my English class. 

I usually bring my plants into my classroom for the winter: the wide windowsill and western exposure provide a perfect home for them in the cold, dark months of the year. Our house already feels stuffed to the seams with the addition of two working spaces and everything else we think we need to survive 2020, and I have been wrestling with the plant situation since September. And as an extra complication, our cat eats any non-toxic plant within her reach. Given those restrictions, where could they possibly go?

Fortunately, we have had a splendid fall, but rain tonight and the threat of frost on Tuesday forced my attention on finding the solution today. As it turned out? I simply needed to start carrying the smaller plants inside to find that we do actually have a place for them on the high shelf in the spare room. Once they were squared away, finding space for the larger plants was a bit more challenging, but manageable. I have great hope that all will successfully overwinter, surviving until we can move them outside again. And to be honest, their green is a vibrant addition to our indoor time. 

If I could only figure out how the students can team up virtually to make commercials in January, I might be able to sleep in a little tomorrow.