From a Distance...
3/29/2020
What a busy two weeks we had launching distance learning for the foreseeable future! This new adventure brings unique challenges for teaching and learning. When regular classroom activities are grounded in a philosophy of collaboration, connection, and conversation, distance learning is significant shift. During these first days, we began to get routines established, figure out technology tools, and adjust to being at home and apart from each other. Our awesome fifth graders jumped into this new reality with smiles and good humor. Video conferencing via Zoom allowed us to connect each day to learn together, play a game, share family news, or clarify how things work. Students shared their pets, their creative creations, and their questions about our current situation. Though we had our fair share of tech glitches, what a blessing it was to be able to see each other every day to keep at least some of our classroom routines alive! Our “Morning Announcements” project continued without a hiccup as students transferred announcements to a video format using Adobe Spark. You can check them out here! Our class Auction project material is slowly becoming the beginnings of a beautiful quilt. We began a novel study of Fever, 1793, an historical novel about the yellow fever epidemic in Philadelphia during the summer of 1793. It’s a challenging and interesting novel that provides an excellent chance to compare an historical event with our current situation. Students began keeping a Coronavirus Journal documenting their experiences during this pandemic. This journal will provide them a way to observe and reflect on their experiences as they create their own primary source documents of this historic event. Science, math lessons, Spanish class, and vocabulary lessons also kept us busy. Next week students will have the opportunity to connect with their Music and Art teachers as well. There is no way that we can replicate our everyday classroom learning experiences, but we are doing our best to give students the chance to stay academically and socially engaged, healthy, and happy. Though no solution will be ideal, we’ll continue to connect with each other each day, to show grace to each other as we try new things, and to adjust regularly based on our experiences and lessons learned. As exceptional, courageous, independent learners, that’s just business as usual…even from a distance. Thank you to all of the PNA community for the positive support and flexibility as we grow together! |
Elizabeth FerryMs. Ferry's experiences include teaching with the Peace Corps in Tanzania, teaching high school English in Maine, and this is her second year at PNA. She loves moose, outdoor activities, and being with her students. Archives
April 2021
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