This is a school year like any other! COVID 19 hit our area in early March of 2020 and drastically changed how we are going back to school this year. In late August our district made the decision for a fully virtual start to our school year with phases of reopening when local cases supported it. By September 29th the numbers were low enough for us to bring back the youngest learners, this decision was made because their reading ability, independence level at tasks, and current value of virtual learning for them because of it. Depending how numbers trend and the success of our hybrid model the students returning will extend through the rest of the elementary grades, across middle, and ending with the return of our high schoolers all on the hybrid model. The seated table was a great idea and gave me all the space I needed for 'all the things'. I quickly realized I couldn't sit there in front of the screen all day. I like that I learned that so quick because it was also the same for my students. It reminded me to tell them it was ok to stand and learn, that they SHOULD walk away from their screens, and that we ALL need breaks.
By week two of virtual learning I was able to snag this storage cabinet on wheels. This is a MAJOR win for a teacher because it was a perfect standing desk but also HELLO STORAGE! It is full of drawers that can adjust and will be perfect for our new math manipulatives as part of math workshop (plus it was free). Fully virtual learning lasted about a month before my district made the move to hybrid learning. The students across the district were split by last name into cohort A and cohort B. This split my class almost in half making one cohort slightly larger than the other. So I would simultaneously teach Cohort A in person, while Cohort B Zoomed in with us, the next day they would flip and the opposite group would be in person while Cohort A learned synchronously online. Fridays were my day to breathe! Students were 100% virtual on Fridays which allowed me to teach on one platform to the whole class, while this wasn't ideal stop the feeling of being pulled in a million directions by in person students, virtual students, virtual parents/pets/siblings, and email. By March 2021 we were fully in person learning, some families opted to continue learning virtually. I had one student move from the hybrid in personal model to fully virtual so I remained teaching both online and in person.
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We started the school year fully virtual and that was hard. The plan was a virtual start until October 9th, that would allow for a holiday weekend spike to decrease before returning to the classroom in a hybrid model. Well numbers were better than that so with about a week's notice we are moving to our hybrid model (which will also be hard)! I can't lie, the exposure make me a little nervous but I am SOOOO excited to be teaching with children in the classroom again. I can actually show and help kids with the tech issues that plague our virtual days. We can build relationships in a different way while keeping 6 feet apart. Our students will be returning to school on a Cohort A/B 4 day week model. During their "off" days, they will follow a schedule with a mix of asynchronous/synchronous learning through Zoom, Schoology, and the Seesaw Learning app. Our 5th day will be a whole class virtual day with the opportunity for asynchronous learning in the afternoon so teachers can plan the materials needed for both OR work with small groups virtually. So with all that being said.... there are some things that I have ready in my room to make our days (hopefully) a little easier. I hope these things can help you too! Hand Washing Timer
Desk Spots
Mask LanyardsWe will be wearing masks most of the day, but mask lanyards are helpful when we take mask breaks or during snack/lunch. It keeps the mask near by without touching contaminated surfaces, getting lost, or let's be honest without going in the toilet or on the floor! Extra disposable children's masks are also a must, masks will get wet or ruined and extra masks will definitely be needed.
Spill Proof Water BottlesWe said goodbye to water fountains around our school and I bet you did too. I asked parents to send students in with a spill proof water bottle (with their name written somewhere on it). The spill proof hopefully stops the water spilling throughout the school bag, lunch box, or all over the floor. TEACHER TRICK: Keep the water bottle in a cubby or school bag because the more they drink at their desk (simply because they can) the more they need the bathroom. Individual Book Bins
Individual Math Tool Kits
School Supplies
Classroom CleaningIs your school using a fogger? We are. The fogger is a disinfectant spray that will clean every touch surface around the room and throughout the building. This is GREAT, but will ruin our classroom library or any hanging paper. We were also told it will leave spots or a film on surfaces. I want the clean but still want my classroom to feel like a classroom. Hello shower curtain liners!
This was my set up while I was teaching from school in the virtual format. I heard you can drop the liners in the dryer for 20 seconds and all the lines will come right out I just haven't gotten to that level of spare time yet.
It goes without saying that you will need hand sanitizer, disinfectant wipes, and soap (if you have sink access). These are great Amazon Wish List items for families that want to help. I recommended families get a mask lanyard for their child, pack an extra mask, and attach a personal hand sanitizer to their child's school bag or lunch box. Learning Expectations
*This blog is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. This does not add any cost to your items, but does support my classroom with a small percentage of your purchase.
Thank you for supporting teachers! 2020 has been.... well you know! Teachers have been adapting to the constant change since March, now that the back to school news changes every week we are always on our toes. This math tool kit was my attempt at back to school prep that will work in person, at home, or some mix of the two. Here is what I have, what I plan to use, and how I plan to use it. I hope this can help you figure something out for your students or children. I realize this is an expense not everyone can afford (teachers, parents, schools). I'm fortunate enough that I could cover this cost for my students with what I already had in my classroom, personally, or through a school budget. You don't need all this to be a good teacher, but I had it so why not put it to use? Materials
Teaching Expectations
I'm the type that would rather do the work up front when I have the time, instead of rushing to gather it or add it to my loaded to do list later in the year. I printed the 5, 10, AND 20 frame for all of my students right off the bat. I knew we wouldn't spend a lot of time with the 5 frame so I didn't even bother to laminate it. We quickly grow out of the 5 frame and into the 10 frame at the start of the year in 1st grade. We spend a lot of time with the 10 frame as we explore addition and subtraction strategies, but I know we need that 20 frame by winter. The popsicle sticks, shape reference guides, and clock won't be needed until late spring. The popsicle sticks are great for addition and subtraction with regrouping. The number word reference guide will be good for them to have as we read and write the numbers in school and at home. The part part whole and number bond work mats are tools we use as we learn addition and subtraction and will be used pretty early in the year. Teacher TipsA child is not a number. I agree, but their supplies can easily be numbered for all of our sanity. If there is a chance it can be salvaged and reused, then put a number on it. Granted some things will be lost or ruined but it will save you some time and money when you go to reuse it next year.
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It Is Elementary My Dear with Michele *This blog is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. This does not add any cost to your items, but does support my classroom with a small percentage of your purchase. Thank you for supporting teachers! *Material objects won't make humans better teachers, but hey! some items just make our lives easier. These are my recommendations (in no particular order) for MUST have classroom items for novice OR veteran teachers. CORDLESS Hot Glue Gun
White Board MagnetsThat ACTUALLY hold up papers.
Staple GunStaple Remover
Paper, paper, paper
SmartFab Bulletin Board FabricFind a way to merge that idea with something a little more realistic. I'm proud to say my exact same bulletin board and boards have been up for three years! I keep the fabric a solid black and don't change the boards, but I can put seasonal messages or work on top without the hassle of starting over. I like solid black best because it goes with everything. I use solid white text and bright colored cardstock to make it pop and be more youthful for elementary school. This SmartFab comes in several colors and prints but sells out every August, so order enough in advance. It isn't see through, doesn't fade or show holes, and still looks like new in year three! Markers
PensOk, I lied. You need 9 things...I without fail get an upper respiratory infection sometime in the late fall every single year. My coworkers and I do a school time happy hour at lunch everyday taking one of these. The taste is surprisingly good (I like pink lemonade best) and it is a little boost to your immune system. May be the best kept school trick ever. You are welcome. Follow me on Teachers Pay Teachers
It Is Elementary My Dear with Michele *This blog is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. This does not add any cost to your items, but does support my classroom with a small percentage of your purchase. Thank you for supporting teachers! Teaching Expectations
Follow me on Teachers Pay Teachers
It Is Elementary My Dear with Michele *This blog is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. This does not add any cost to your items, but does support my classroom with a small percentage of your purchase. Thank you for supporting teachers! Before School Starts: Read AloudYes, that did say BEFORE school starts read aloud. Whether they made it to a meet the teacher event or not, consider recording yourself (the teacher) reading this book in the rocking chair of your classroom. It shows students your face and their new classroom, they can hear your voice, and possibly calm some of their nerves before school starts tomorrow! Set your phone up on a surface, read, record, and post to YouTube. You can make the video unlisted so it stays private and email a link of the video out to parents in advance of the real night before school!
First Week of School Read Aloud
Back to School Night
Books about Friendship
Setting ExpectationsWhat if Everybody Did That? is great story for starting that conversation about expectations. If you drop just one soda can out the window, it’s no big deal ... right? But what if everybody did that? What if everybody broke the rules ... and spoke during story time, didn’t wash up, or splashed too much at the pool? Then the world would be a mess. But what if everybody obeyed the rules so that the world would become a better place?
*This blog is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
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AuthorCurrent 1st grade teacher and former middle school educator trying to be techy, Reading Specialist, life long learner, and avid reader Categories
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