Local districts and schools across the state have now been shut down for five weeks, following Governor Mike DeWine’s order for schools to close beginning March 16 as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
Despite physical classrooms being closed until at least May 1, learning continues in all subject areas, and students are completing daily remote assignments. Their instructors also are finding creative ways to connect with pupils by utilizing various forms of technology during the shutdown.
Benjamin Logan Schools shared some insights this week regarding how the district’s teaching staff is staying in touch with students and making sure their needs are being met.
Sixth-grade English language arts teacher Gretchen Powell said she begins each day with a “meet and greet” e-mail to her students.
“We want to connect with our students not only academically, but personally as well.
“Academically, we have Zoom sessions weekly. We also communicate with our students through Google Classroom, phone calls and e-mails. Personally, we have encouraged the students to let us know what they are up to during COVID-19.”
One challenge in Powell’s classroom has included her students submitting photos of themselves reading with their pets, stuffed animals or outdoors.
“We have been able to share the photos in the morning e-mails. We miss our students and they miss us.”
Third-grade teacher Ashley Solano said she has made a YouTube channel, where she has shared a chapter a day of Because of Winn-Dixie.
“I also have Zoom meetings two times a week, where I’ll do a live read aloud of a picture book. We have played a couple different games, including a scavenger hunt.
“It has been nice to see and hear students and learn what things they have been doing during quarantine. Seeing their smiles have really brightened this tough situation.”
Also at the elementary school, second-grade teacher Jessica Hilbun said sends an informational e-mail newsletter to families each Tuesday. She also makes phone calls to each parent to check how the at-home learning is going and give the parents a chance to ask questions.
Hilbun is using the Zoom platform and Google classroom to provide interactive lesson materials.
“Zoom has given me the opportunity to see my students and provide some mini lessons and practice weekly. We have used Zoom to play math bingo.
“In Google classroom, I post science videos, Scholastic News read alouds, math lessons and virtual field trip opportunities for families to explore together.”
Second-grade intervention specialist Morganne Ackley, who said she is a first-year educator, has been connecting with her students individually on Zoom to work on their goals, along with communicating with parents to determine how to best adjust assignments to fit student needs.
“I have learned that I love working with my students even more than I did before, and I love seeing them online as often as possible. I miss them tremendously…Connecting with my students and doing everything I can for them is my passion.
“The staff has welcomed me with open arms as a first-year teacher this year and has continued to help me in every way possible to continue to grow and achieve as an educator.”
At Benjamin Logan Middle School, art teacher Jennifer Davis said she is finding new ways to provide detailed art instruction to the 161 students she teaches each day.
“Last week, the art students strengthened their portrait drawing skills. I sent videos to assist them in drawing facial features. One student even drew a giant eye on her driveway with chalk.
“During our days of distant learning, students have been e-mailing images of their drawings to me. It has been great to give students individual feedback on their daily drawings.
“I have learned how much I cherish interacting with my students concerning the growth of their art skills and the progression of their artworks.”
At Benjamin Logan High School, English teacher and CCP College Writing instructor Michelle Lane assists her pupils with their writing by utilizing telephone conferencing to help pupils make revisions and edits to their essays.
“We can share a doc and talk through it together,” she said. “I miss seeing their faces, but it is nice to hear their voices. I e-mail with students regularly and share pics from the greenhouse so that they can see the progress of the plants that they started.”
While they are keeping in touch regularly with students via technology and telephone, the teachers said they are eager for the days ahead when they can see their pupils at the school building again.
“I miss hearing the students’ stories and seeing their smiles,” Hilbun said.
“Most of us agree, we want to go back to school,” Powell said. “I have learned that being able to interact with colleagues and students at school shouldn’t be taken for granted. I miss greeting my students each day and teaching them in my classroom.”
The skills gleaned through the new technology likely will be implemented in the regular classroom as well.
“I have learned that I can adapt to whatever teaching environment is available,” Solano said. “I love teaching in a classroom, but I have also loved learning about all these new tech tools. I can definitely see myself incorporating more of these tools in future school years.”