My Year of Teaching Virtually

I hated virtual teaching.

I said it. I hated it.

You think it would have been easy because I am considered "tech-savvy." Integrating tech when I teach is second nature for me. So, this should have been easy. Right?

Except, I hated it.

We started our mornings with our 5 minute Waiting Room, then moved on to our Virtual Morning Meeting. We played games on Gimkit, Quizizz, 99Math, and all the new and improved sites that were meant to engage the students in the square boxes.

We created books on Book Creator, went on virtual field trips, (even made homemade ice cream), collaborated on Jamboard and in Breakout Rooms, and worked on assignments posted in Schoology. 

I worked hard to make sure the year was not a loss. (As so many seem to think. I beg to differ..)

But, something was missing.

The best tech in the world couldn't replace it.

The greeting at the door.

The buzz as students greeted friends and got ready for the day.

The gathering at the kidney table, for those who needed just a little more help.

Raised hands. "Real" ones.

Laughter. (These kids didn't laugh on ZOOM, no matter how corny my jokes were.)

The scrape of moving chairs.

Hugs.

Field trips. Outside. In buildings.

Walking down the hall.

Working. (Me seeing you working, or not.)

Social interactions. Aaaah yes, social interactions!

I have a few years of teaching left, and I hope I never have to teach virtually again. 

My year of teaching virtually. Hated it!

Courtesy of Canva: Classroom Yearbook

I wanted my virtual students to have a yearbook. As a 5th grade team, we created a 5th grade yearbook with Snapfish, but I wanted them to have a CLASS yearbook. It wouldn't be filled with pictures of all the wonderful things we did together, because...we were together on a computer, but I still wanted to put something together.

What did I put in a yearbook for a virtual class, you ask?

Page 1- Cover with image of the our school

Page 2- Message from the Teacher

Page 3- Messages they sent me during Teacher Appreciation Week. (Clipped Jamboard stickies.)

Page 4- Message from the Class President

Page 5 - Recognition/Awards

Page 6 - "Remember When...? I asked my students to name their favorite memories.

Page 7+ We placed a quote the students chose, or made up, and their favorite memory from elementary school,on our Celebration slides. I just copied and pasted them onto the Canva page. I gave thestudents access to, "A Quotation a Day", document. I also included 2 pictures, sent by their parents,one as an infant or toddler, and a recent picture.

Page 26 - A graphic about 6th grade and a box titled,"Personal Message from Mrs.Mims." I only had 18 students, so writing the messages didn't take too much time.

The yearbook is pretty basic, because I was short on time, but it really looked good. I used the color copier, and 32 lb paper. Check out the sample. I used my pics to demonstrate p.7, I wish I had thought to do that in their yearbook.:)

I worked on the yearbook for about a week. I chose a Canva template, and if you have ever used Canva,you know that it is pretty easy to use. If you are new to Canva, they have a tutorial to introduce you to the features.

Take advantage of the FREE CANVA Educator plan they offer.

I am looking forward to creating one next year when I am back with my students in "real life.":)