returning safely to the classroom during covid-19: masks and movement

Welcome to week 2 of our discussion on how to return safely to the classroom during Covid-19.

While I know many of us are starting the year virtually, some of us are facing the reality and fears of face-to-face. My goal through this series is to help other’s find solutions to problems- sometimes through simply asking questions to help you think through what will work in your rooms. Please remember I am NOT an expert on Covid-19 or on teaching during a pandemic. Your own school, administration, district, etc. needs to be the primary source to guide you in making decisions that keep you and your students safe. 

This week we will focus on masks and movement within the classroom.

 

Masks:

 

Problem- Where do we store them? / How do they keep track of them? / What about lunch time?

 

Solution- The BEST answer I have come across for this, and is actually quite simple, is the use of lanyards! In a lot of schools today students are already wearing a lanyard daily as they have to have a student ID. When students are not using their masks (maybe they are at their seats, have shifted to a shield, or are at lunch) they simply fold them in half and use the earpieces to clip them on. 

 

I would also suggest adding a simple and small element to this idea. If you have been teaching for any amount of time (especially at the elementary level) then you have probably experienced the child that comes back from lunch wearing their entire meal or milk carton. Now picture the mask attached to the lanyard….it has now become a napkin or is soaking wet. Or, it’s just hanging there rubbing and touching all dirty surfaces. 

Simply add a small sandwich bag to the lanyard and they can place the mask in there to keep it dry and clean. 

 

To make mine, I added a small piece of duct tape to the corner so it would reinforce the plastic and it wouldn’t rip as easily. I then hole punched it and hooked it to the lanyard. I opted for the slide to seal bags so it would be easier for younger kids to use. Names are also visibly displayed so there is no mixing up masks. 

At the end of the day, I would suggest having the students keep the lanyards at school. This will ensure that they aren’t going home to add germs or get lost. The students will (more than likely) be wearing their masks out for dismissal, so you won’t need to worry about them needing to clip to the lanyards. When storing them in the classroom I would suggest utilizing their toolbox or having clips (spread decently apart from one another) to hang them from.

 

Problem: Students aren’t wearing their masks correctly or taking them off correctly.

 

Solution: As with the start of every year, and more than ever with this year, teaching procedures is going to be a must! You will need to teach them the correct and incorrect ways to wear (modeling this will be great fun) and how to fold their masks in half so the clean side is facing in. 

 

Movement: 

 

Problem- Entering/Leaving Room

 

Solution- This is going to have to be well planned/rehearsed/explained event. This is also going to take longer than in previous years. 

When I think about this, I picture a scene from a wedding. The wedding planner is at the door of the church and when a bridesmaid gets to a certain point, they tell the next one to go. You are basically going to have to become the wedding planner for when entering the room. And more than likely, it will be that the students need to enter and go directly to their seats until you can come in and monitor further movements. 

 

 

Problem- Restroom and Drinks

 

Solution- If they have taken their masks off, they will need to put them back on before any movement. 

Restrooms will probably remain a very similar procedure as in previous years. If you don’t have a restroom in your room, you will need to think about how many you send out at a time and making sure you have sanitizer for when they reenter (because we know how handwashing goes at school). If you do a group bathroom break you will need to think about spacing while waiting and sending in fewer kids at a time. Again, following up with sanitizer maybe a good idea. 

Drinks however are another situation. Kids really need to be bringing bottles from home, and if they need more throughout the day they can fill the bottle. Drinking from a fountain needs to be off limits unless you are able to greatly sanitize after each use. So maybe think about getting some plastic cups (or extra bottles of water) that you can have on standby if someone forgets theirs for the day.

 

Problem- Lining up

 

Solution- This year, having a number/line order will be key! This is a way to reduce the number of contacts students have and can help with contact tracing. I suggest having marks on your floor (tape or other such things) so kids know where to stand. When not in the classroom, teach students how to place their arms in front of them to make sure they have a good 2-3 feet between each other.

Most of these are dry erase and you can write their numbers on them to help.

purchase here

 

Problem- Carpet Time

 

Solution- Spacing and is going to be the key to everything this year, and again having seating charts/number order. Depending on the size of your room, having carpet time may not be feasible anymore once you spread your desks out. If you do still have the ability, then using dots similar to the lining up stickers will help students know their place. 

 

You can read about previous ideas for your classroom library and supplies by clicking here.

 

Again, I would love for this to be a team effort. If you have ideas or concerns, please share them in the comments below. 

 

Next week we will tackle centers/small groups and classroom jobs. If you’re enjoying this series, please show some love and become a follower! 

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returning safely to the classroom during Covid-19: classroom libraries and supplies

First let me say this; I am not an expert.

I have never taught during a pandemic or anything like what educators are going to embark on this year. 

I do have 16 years of teaching experience in grades K-4. I have a bachelors and Masters degree in Elementary Ed. I have worked all but one of those years in Title 1 schools. 

With that being said, this blog series is my effort in creating solutions most teachers are worrying about. A way for us to hopefully work together and support one another. 

 

This week I am going to tackle the classroom library and supplies.

 

The Classroom Library-

 

Concern: Multiple students perusing the shelves at once. 

Solution: Create scheduled ‘shopping times.’ 

-Be specific with expectations and even set a timer (because we all know we have those Looky-Loos that will take all day). 

-Schedule them throughout the entire week and only allow 1 shopper at a time.

-Think about germs with this as well; Will you have them use sanitizer first? Will you have students wash hands after? Will you spray Lysol on books before the next one? Will you spread the student shopping times way out to allow time for germs to ‘disappear’?

-If they need an additional shopping time because they complete a book or it isn’t the right fit, create a system for your room. Will it be as simple as them raising their hands and then you create a list? Will they place a sign on their desk to let you know?

 

Concern: Returning books to shelves with germs on them.

Solution: Create a bin for students to return them to and allow time for quarantine. 24-48 hours with a possible light spray of disinfectant should suffice. You can find the above poster as a FREEBIE in my TPT store or by click here. 

-Please keep in mind that everyday students may need to return books, and more than one return bin may be needed. 

-Create an expectation and routine for how this is done. Reducing student movement in the classroom will more than likely be our new norm. 

Will you collect those books at the end of the day by walking around with the bin yourself?

Will you just monitor them one at a time with their masks on?

 

 

 

Supplies-

 

Concern: Classroom shared supplies such as white boards, clip boards, and markers.

Solution: Those classroom supplies that we used to house in one location, are now a thing of the past. Students will now need to house all ‘classroom teacher-owned items’ in their own desks. This will keep movement in the classroom (and sanitizing of supplies) to a minimum. If you do not have desks in your room, utilizing a bin from the dollar store or crates may contain the items for you. 

 

Concern: Mixing up items between students. 

Solution: LABEL, LABEL, LABEL! If you can stick a label on it, DO IT! Whether it is their actual name or an assigned number in class, this will be pertinent to making sure things do not get shared. Pencils (using washi tape is a great way or simply using a sharpie to write on them), textbooks, glue sticks, dry erase markers, cubbies, book bins, etc. 

 

Concern: Housing personal items from home- such as backpacks, water bottles, and lunch boxes.

Solution: It is going to be imperative that we keep these items separate. We can no longer have the big bin to place these things in or set them on the counter. I’ve never been a fan of hanging backpacks on chairs (it’s messy, they can easily access things they shouldn’t, they are trip hazards), however this will be my solution this year. Using hooks (unless spread out well) will allow them to touch one another. Using cubbies (my usual go-to) allows for some separation but touching can still occur, and student interaction will be high at arrival and dismissal. Keeping them at their seats will allow them to keep their lunchboxes and water bottles safely secure as well. 

 

*As with the start of any beginning of the year, expectations/rules/procedures will need to be taught. Obviously, district and school mandates need to be followed first and foremost. 

 

As we embark on this new world of masks, shields, 6 feet apart, desks, no group work, plexiglass dividers, and whatever else gets thrown at us… we need to work together. 

Like I said at the beginning, I am not an expert at teaching in a classroom during Covid-19. If you have ideas, suggestions, or worries…. Please leave a positive/helpful comment below to add to this ‘discussion.’

 

teach. create. love life.

 

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Changes

**WARNING** This post may be long and rambling, but it has a purpose. I promise!

Towards the end of 2016 life seemed stressed. The holidays, crazy work schedules, kids, etc. Typical things. But I wasn’t ‘dealing’ with them as well as I normally would.

The New Year was approaching and the typical time for people to make their resolutions. I gave up the whole resolution thing a couple of years ago when I started using One Word. So, I began to search for my word as other’s promised to give up things, and exercise, and save more. This word kept coming to mind (speaking to me if you will) but I kept quieting it because I felt it wasn’t pushing me or powerful enough. In actuality, it was the exact opposite.

However, the more I seemed to quiet it, the more I would see it and hear it.

As much as I was trying to push it away, I knew it was the word I needed. It was what was missing in my life and making me feel so overwhelmed.

I’ve been on a journey for the last month and a half to find what balance means to me. So far, what I’ve come up with, is more time for me. As a wife, teacher, mother, and the other multitude of hats that come on and off throughout the day, I was putting myself last…if at all. My cup was beyond empty and needed filling.

This search for balance and filling my cup has lead me on a journey to become healthy. Not only did I put myself last, I also was putting my health last. As much as I was ‘dieting’ and ‘exercising’ I was actually gaining weight not losing.  I didn’t feel comfortable in my own skin, let alone my clothes.

In the past month or two I have changed my eating habits and added in 30 min of exercise a day. I have more energy, I’ve actually lost more weight than I ever have, and by spending 2% of my day on ME I’ve gained some balance.

So why am I telling you this? Because I think the world could use more honesty. Because I know I am not the only person feeling overwhelmed and trying to find balance. We tend to post all the ‘happy’ for people to see and it gives the false sense of perfection.

So now I’m going to take an even BIGGER step out of my comfort zone and show you my transformation. <<GULP>>

There you have it. My before. And my progress.

This is a journey I’m on. I’m in this for good because I’m tired of starting over, and I’m worth it. My kids/family is worth it.

Yes there will be some changes in the blog and my social media accounts (like I may actually make some posts.)  When I first created my blog, I never meant for it to truly become an education only platform. I wanted and intended it to be about my life. My love for creativity, teaching, and creating a life that I love to live.  But as you can see, balance was thrown off.

So I hope you stay with me and join me. Journeys are lonely on their own, and I would love to help others find balance too.

teach. create. LOVE LIFE

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Got STEM?

How?

So you want to start using STEM in your classroom, but aren't really sure how to do it?....

I wish I had the magic wand for you to wave to make that happen, but the truth is that this is a journey/marathon you are going to be on. You will learn and grow just as much as your students will. 

With that said, let me share my journey...

The first year we completed challenges maybe 4 times (one a grading period). 

The first year we relied heavily on already published challenges.

The first year the challenges did not completely align to our curriculum/standards. 

The first year.....wasn't pretty 

Fast forward 2 years....

EVERY Wednesday is STrEaM Wednesday. The entire day is dedicated to the STEM process. 

STREAM lessons may be based on similar activities out there (there truly are only so many engineering things you can do with elementary students), but for the most part they are 100% created by us. 

STREAM lessons are now tightly aligned to our curriculum/standards

It still can be messy, but in a beautiful way.

Things to Consider:

I see several people posting about STEM activity boxes. That may be the route you want to take to begin (especially if this is not a school-wide push/implementation), but we consider that more of a Maker's Space/Tinker Spot at our school.

STEM is NOT a science experiment. 

Your science standards are built into the lesson. You may have a small science experiment within the challenge that relates to the topic, but it's not just a science experiment.

Don't go on this journey alone. 

If you are truly committing to the STEM process and creating plans that fully align, you're going to need a friend and some help. It takes time and commitment. There may be some tears and there may be days you want to pull your hair out and scream. Make sure you have someone on your side so you can cheer each other on and share ideas. 

Take time to create a team. 

This is a completely new way of thinking and acting in a classroom for students. They are having to collaborate and communicate- two skills that are new (or lacking) for our children. Taking time (like a month or two) to do 'fun' challenges that build team and help them understand will be well worth it in the long run. When we first started STEM we didn't take the time to do this and we paid for it. It made challenges painful because students didn't know how to work together and not argue. I spent more time being a referee than I care to admit. Now that my school has been doing this for 3 years, the students are more used to this structure of learning, but we still have to take the time every year to build the new team and remind them of their roles.

Time. 

A STEM lesson doesn't always fit neatly into a given amount of time (Your teachers, you know sometimes things take a little longer than planned). Curiosity and creating takes longer than you think. Don't stress yourself and your students out by strictly sticking to a time frame. 

When creating a lesson keep 2 things in mind:

Is there a problem/challenge?

Are they building/creating something?

I  could go on forever, but I think I might have lost my 3 followers a long time ago. 

If there is something specific you have a question about or I haven't covered, please leave it in the comments (Really, it's okay to comment....I would love to know someone is actually reading this ;) ). I will answer them in my next post. 

teach. create. love life.

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GOT STEM? A blog series

Got STEM?

STEM. The hot new 'word' in education. Do you use STEM? Does your school?

I have been at a STEM school for the past 2 years. Last year, we had the honor of completing the process and becoming the first STEM certified elementary school in the state of Florida. 

It has been an interesting journey filled with learning and growth. This is the first in a series of posts as I share my knowledge and answer your questions on STEM. I am by no means an expert, but I will definitely be honest on the ups and downs and the journey I've been on. 

This week's focus is on the What....

First, let's start with what is STEM. More than likely (unless you have been living under a rock) you already know it is an acronym for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. There are variations- STEAM (adds art into it) and STREAM (which is what my school utilizes) adds reading/writing and art. There has been a major interest and push for STEM education in the past couple of years to prepare today's child for the world and jobs of tomorrow.  It isn't only about preparing students for jobs that focus in math/science/engineering, but it's creating students that can collaborate/critically think/problem solve. 

Young students are natural scientists and engineers, so the STEM process can, and does, work quite easily for most students. 

STEM curriculum has many benefits:

-Highly engaging

-FUN.... yes I said the F word. These are still kids. They need to have fun while learning!...Heck, I need to have fun while teaching! ;)

-Full of natural learning opportunities

-It allows students to connect and apply concepts leaned to everyday experiences

-Students retain the knowledge, gain confidence, build self-directions, and learn to work both cooperatively and independently.

Things to keep in mind as the teacher:

-Be enthusiastic. This is a new challenge for you as well, and is more than likely taking you out of your comfort zone. Embrace it. Be enthusiastic. Have fun!

-Be flexible. Things aren't going to go as planned. (That's the purpose of STEM). 

-Get in there with them. Learn by doing, just like them. Have them talk things through with you (but remember you are only there for guidance and to ask questions). Cheer them on. And yes, sometimes, be the referee.

So, a quick introduction to STEM for you this week. Next week I will discuss the How? I would also love to answer any questions you have about STEM, so leave a comment below and I will do my best to answer them next week. 

teach. create. love life.

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Get PIE'd!

Oh.My.Word.

This was beyond an AMAZING day! I don’t know who enjoyed it more- the kids or me!

The idea of using a form of a real PIE to teach author’s purpose had been in the back of my head since Hope King shared her Periscope back in December. After attending Get Your Teach On I knew it had to become a reality.

We did make a slight change to using Pie Face, and instead had students create a Pie of their own that they would enjoy at the end.

So here’s the not so skinny on our Get PIE’d Day!

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Chef Scalo was more than happy to greet the fellow chefs that would help her bake her author’s purpose PIE’s!

The students were thrilled to have their own aprons and chef hats.

They were too much!

Once we were dressed and had our instructions the students dove in. They had 6 passages they had to read together (in groups of 4). Each student had their own Author’s Purpose checklist (freebie from Read Like A RockStar) that they used to help determine if it was Persuade, Inform, or Entertain. The groups had to have 100% agreement and had to highlight text evidence to prove their choice.

If they had 100% agreement they took that passage and put it into the PIE tin they chose and brought the PIE to me.

Head Chef Scalo would then ask each group why they chose the author’s purpose they did. Not only did the purpose have to be correct, but they had to be able to support their answer choice.  If all of these things happened, they were allowed to add an ingredient to their PIE.

For each of the 6 passages they got one of these ingredients:

1. Graham Cracker Crust

2. Chocolate Pudding

3. Cool Whip

4. Crushed Oreos

5. Mini M&Ms

6. Sprinkles

To make it more authentic we had 50’s music playing in the background (I don’t know why, but it seemed fitting, lol)

They were active. They were having discussions. They had...dare I say it....FUN while learning!

At the end of the day I was exhausted (I only teach reading this year, so I had this experience twice in one day)....but I was smiling and happy, just like my kids! 

teach.create.love life.

~Jenny~

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