Learn some tips for remote learning and grab a clickable list of remote learning resources and subscriptions for schools impacted by the coronavirus. Is Your School Ready for Remote Learning? We have an interesting discussion happening in the Teach With Tech Facebook group about the logistics of teaching from home and how schools are handling the novel coronavirus outbreak. Some teachers have been asked to pull together a plan with very little time and some districts already have a system in place but there are still concerns about training, tools, money, and even if students have access to WiFi and reliable devices.
It's back to school season! Things may look different this year with virtual learning, but it won't last forever. Here are the 10 photos to take to remember remote school.
Most of us are teaching in either, remote learning or a hybrid model, at least for the start of the school year. The parents of our students are struggling as much as we are to
eLearning Day activities are easier to find than you may think! Click through to find ideas for elementary students in math, reading, writing, ELA, & more!
Tips for remote learning or attending school from home during the coronavirus outbreak. Homeschool Work At Home During Emergencies if Schools are closed due to pandemic outbreak. Homeschool Tips.
A huge list of educational websites for learning at home. A must-see list of online activities and resources for primary students and teachers planning remote learning during a school closure, illness, or during summer break.
As a teacher, those same free educational websites for kids make for a fantastic addition to your classroom! They're excellent practice for early finishers
Here a veteran teacher shares the 9 best zoom games to engage students and keep learning fun! Click to learn more!!
A huge list of educational websites for learning at home. A must-see list of online activities and resources for primary students and teachers planning remote learning during a school closure, illness, or during summer break.
How to organize for remote back to school that inspires? Back to school has been a hot topic lately with how everyone is choosing to school
Parents will love these free educational websites for kids & school apps. Use these Educational Resources to plan while school is cxl or on Summer Vacation.
You don’t have to teach technology to use technology in your teaching! Teachers can integrate technology into any unit of study.
Help build intrinsic motivation in elementary students during distance learning! Be sure to download the free editable student choice boards in the blog post!
Remote learning doesn't have to be scary! Put these best practices and tech tools into action to increase student learning.
Students today face a lot of challenges and stress, which can create complex emotional situations. But understanding and addressing the diverse emotional needs of students is no easy feat, as each …
The coronavirus craze has led districts to roll out remote learning through a digital platform, while other school districts are not prepared.
A huge list of educational websites for learning at home. A must-see list of online activities and resources for primary students and teachers planning remote learning during a school closure, illness, or during summer break.
The coronavirus craze has led districts to roll out remote learning through a digital platform, while other school districts are not prepared.
Top laptops vs desktops for homeschool: Do you need a laptop for homeschooling? And, if so, is Chromebook good for homeschool? What computer is best for homeschooling? Here are laptop vs desktop pros and cons and the best and cheapest computers for students--including how to get discount laptops to homeschool families!
Teacher approved educational shows for elementary aged kids on Netflix and Amazon. Tons of high quality programs covering science, nature and literacy.
If you are looking for FREE activities to use with your elementary students, I got you covered! Unfortunately, thousands of schools across the nation are closing ( or are preparing to close) due to COVID-19.
As we enter into this time of school closures, students are now at home and parents are an integral part of students' learning. Teachers are assigning work
In this blog post from Modern Teaching Aids, we explore 18 Tips & Tricks to help Educators that are new to remote teaching.
These homeschool resources will help you support your child, no matter their age or what type of parent you are. You'll be ready to teach instantly!
This blog post contains offline and online resources for when your students are not at school, whether that is through remote learning, distance learning, virtual learning, or something else. This also includes preventing the summer slide, providing enrichment or remediation, and much more!
Remote learning has sent teachers and schools into high gear! We are all trying to figure out what works. In this episode and post, I'm going to show you 10 Google Tips for Remote Learning.
Many of us were just thrust into the challenging new role of 'emergency homeschooler' without a moment’s notice or a single second of training. As an
Learn some tips for remote learning and grab a clickable list of remote learning resources and subscriptions for schools impacted by the coronavirus. Is Your School Ready for Remote Learning? We have an interesting discussion happening in the Teach With Tech Facebook group about the logistics of teaching from home and how schools are handling the novel coronavirus outbreak. Some teachers have been asked to pull together a plan with very little time and some districts already have a system in place but there are still concerns about training, tools, money, and even if students have access to WiFi and reliable devices.
Learn how to make remote learning more personal with three quick tips and an interview with Thomas Murray, the author of Personal & Authentic.
A second career for teachers is a great way to fluff up their resume experience, as well as branch out into different career paths.
Video conferencing with elementary students is a useful resource for distance or remote teaching. It brings a classroom like atmosphere to remote learning.
I've been a virtual teacher for the last 3 years. During the school year, I teach 3rd grade for students in a virtual school in my home state of Florida. On weekends and during the summer, I teach ESL children in China with VIPKID. Virtual teaching definitely has it's perks! No commute, no "classroom" with ALL the things, some flexibility, to name a few. (Don't get me wrong- my teaching job during the year is just as much work as when I taught in brick and mortar school, just in a very different way.) Here are 8 essentials I feel you need when teaching virtually in any setting: 1. Headphones & Microphone This is essential for virtual teaching! I use MPOW Headphones that have a built in microphone. When I teach with VIPKID I always use my headphones because they help cancel out extraneous noise that my happen since my own two kids are home during that time. During the year, I use these about half the time I'm teaching and my webcam with the built in mic the other half. I feel when I wear my headphones I am a little more focused on the lesson and teaching. Plus, I am doing a lot of typing for whatever reason during a lesson, I like that these cancel that typing noise that is definitely there. When I am typing and just using my webcam mic you can always hear that "click, click, click" which I think is distracting for students. 2. Webcam I teach most of the day from 8:30-2:30 with my 3rd graders, so a good webcam is essential! This is also super important with VIPKID as well. I love this inexpensive Logi webcam because it has a build in microphone that works really well and my laptop does not have a reliable mic. If I am using my headphones I do usually use my built in webcam in my laptop, but I will have this hooked up as a second camera to show books, model actual writing, etc. during lessons. 3. Portable Dry Erase Board I actually have about 2 or 3 handheld dry erase boards that I use every single day! Sometimes you just need to show something on camera and you want to be able to write it down- and not use a mouse on the computer screen. I use mine to work out math problems, write important words, draw something we are discussing, display rewards, and the list just goes on. It's a serious must have! I have one that is 11x14 and one that a bit smaller and is magnetic. The magnetic one is more useful for VIPKID to display rewards I use. Here is a similar version to the one I currently own. 4. Laptop stand I use this adjustable stand every single day. There are a few benefits to using a laptop stand that I've figured out this year. First, it keeps your laptop able to ventilate and stay cool when you use it all day. Second, it props up your camera to keep it at a more flattering angle when you are on camera. Lastly, it makes typing so much better since your hands are more ergonomically correct. This stand I use is sturdy and doesn't wobble at all. It's also super easy to move if you feel like teaching in a different place, plus it's completely assembled when you get it! 5. Good Lighting It goes without saying that if you are going to be on camera, you need some good lighting! I don't use anything professional. I actually use a desk lamp that I got from Costco that has a fan built in it too. What I like about this lamp is that it allows you to choose the kind of light you want (warm, bright, natural), so you can pick what is best for you and the time of day. Just make sure you put the lamp IN FRONT of your face, so that the light shines on your face. A lamp next to you or behind you on the desk isn't going to help for video. Some people also get small selfie lights that they can hook to their computers. Also, lipstick goes a looonnnggg way in making you look alive on video! I don't worry so much about make-up with my everyday classes. But, when teaching my VIPKID classes I always put on a bright pink lipstick that I would NEVER wear in real life. But, on camera, it looks fantastic! 6. Fun student rewards In my 3rd grade class, I use digital rewards as well as rewards that I mail my students. I regularly use Class Dojo to reward my students for participation and hard work. I also find small things that I can send in the mail like stickers, erasers, sticky hands, slime, etc. I get some of these things from Oriental Trading. I love the sticker scenes especially, like in the photo below. Other stuff I find in Target dollar spot and random places. I also make simple reward cards using my Bitmoji to send along with the little treat. My students love getting these in the mail! 7. Mouse Pad with wrist support (plus a wireless mouse) So, when I first started virtual teaching all day, I actually started getting pain in arm from using the mouse so much. After googling my symptoms I diagnosed myself with "mouse elbow". (Google it- it's real!) I realized I needed some more wrist support with a mouse pad that had that gel wrist support pad attached and the laptop stand for my keyboard. Made a huge difference and now I am pain free! 8. A 2nd computer monitor Last, but not least, if you can swing it, a second monitor is a huge help in virtual teaching! It allows you to easily multitask while teaching. So, you can have the virtual classroom/camera on one computer and use the other monitor to pull up videos, websites, etc. that you need during class. I have an Acer monitor that is great. Check out my "classroom" set up from my first home office below! *All product links are Amazon affiliate links and I may earn a small commission if you use my link when purchasing products.
I haven’t shared this with you all, but I’m a Google Certified Educator, Level 1. I love to integrate technology into my classroom. I once was the Digital Ambassador for my campus. Which meant I was in charge of helping other teachers integrate technology. That position made me see that a lot of teachers struggle...
My favorite search engines for kids and elementary students to use for safe online research.
My students work at vastly different paces so it is always a challenge to decide what the early finishers should do. Here is a list of 10 great activities for your early finishers that aren't just time wasters but will actually work to build their technology skills.
Learn some tips for remote learning and grab a clickable list of remote learning resources and subscriptions for schools impacted by the coronavirus. Is Your School Ready for Remote Learning? We have an interesting discussion happening in the Teach With Tech Facebook group about the logistics of teaching from home and how schools are handling the novel coronavirus outbreak. Some teachers have been asked to pull together a plan with very little time and some districts already have a system in place but there are still concerns about training, tools, money, and even if students have access to WiFi and reliable devices.
Virtual learning in the elementary setting refers to delivering education through online platforms. It offers flexibility, personalized learning paths, and access to a wide range of resources, enabling students to learn from anywhere while developing digital literacy skills crucial for the 21st century.
Games are a tried and true way to engage students. Whether teaching in-person or remotely via a live session like Zoom or Google Meets, teachers know that games, brain breaks, and icebreakers are an awesome way to get students actively involved in learning. With the ever-changing landscape of education, I thought it might be nice to compile some versatile activities that challenge students in really fun ways. Best part? These activities are very low prep and work in a variety of settings. These activities encourage students to listen, solve problems, be creative, and practice critical skills. They're designed to be easy to do with little to no prep. You can easily add one of these games to any lesson as a warm-up, closure, community building activity, or lesson extender. GAMES & ACTIVITIES ⭐How Many? Give students a category and then challenge students to see how many different things they can fit within that classification. At first students will respond with obvious ideas. However, as they brainstorm, their ideas will stretch and their creativity will grow. Students can jot their ideas down on scrap paper and earn points for each unique response when they share out. Here are some categories to get started: occupations, things that are slimy, things that roll, animal noises, articles of clothing ⭐Listen Carefully: Read a short passage out loud to students. Then, have them answer questions based on what they can remember. Make it especially fun by awarding points for every answer that students get right. You can change up this activity by reading two versions of the same story. Mix up some of the details in the second version for students to listen for. Give this activity a try with the passages in this set of FREE Brain Bursts. Add your information below and then check your inbox! ⮟⮟⮟⮟⮟⮟⮟⮟ ⭐Silly Silent Spelling: Practice spelling words in a super silly way. Explain to students that you are going to be giving them a practice spelling test (definitely NOT the real thing). Just like a typical practice test, they'll listen for the word and write it down. However, here's the catch: you're only going to silently mouth the words. Students will need to read your lips to figure out what word they will need to write down. Of course, figuring out a word from a silent cue is not easy. That's what makes this fun. Students will write down some wild guesses as they spell their way through this game. ⭐One Word: Pose a fun question to the class and have them all think of a one-word answer. Then, give every student a chance to share their responses as you call on each of them. Here are some questions to get started: --- If you were a type of dessert, what would you be? --- Where do you feel happiest? --- How would a soccer ball describe its day? --- Where is somewhere that you would like to visit? --- What would be the perfect gift for you? ⭐Mystery Item: This activity is quick and easy to play. To prepare, write 5 or 6 clues about an object. Make the clues gradually increase in their specificity. Then, read the clues to students as they jot down their guesses for the mystery item until you reveal the answer. ⭐Punchline: Start telling a joke to students, and then have them guess the punchline. Find a ton of jokes for kids here. ⭐Strike a Pose: Explain to students that they are going to pretend that they are in a photograph. They will need to imagine that the photo was taken at the height of the event. All they have to do is strike a pose after you give them a situation. For instance, you might say, "haunted house," and then students would freeze in a pose that shows them frightened or terrified. Here are a few situations to try: Dentist Office, Roller Coaster, Last Day of School, Scary Movie, Food Fight, Race ⭐Timed Writing Activities: Engage students with a creative writing prompt. Then, "amp up" the fun factor by adding a timed element. Challenge students to race the clock as they write as much as they can in a fixed time period. Find my favorite prompts here. ⭐And Then...: This is a listening game for the entire class. Students will need to listen to and add to a growing story. You'll start the story with an opener like, "At the zoo, I decided to open the lion's cage, and then..." Next, you'll call on a student to explain what happened next. That student will add one line and the phrase "and then" before selecting another student to add to the story. ⭐Listen and Draw: Students love this activity! To prepare, create a simple illustration filled with shapes and designs. Then, write out the directions for students. Have students complete the activity on a piece of paper. Read each direction to students and challenge them to replicate the illustration you instructed them to draw. (These are included in the exclusive freebie below.) ⭐Class Pet: Pretend that you have a new class pet. Explain to students that they will need to guess the type of animal. Students will need to ask questions and write their guesses on a piece of paper when they think they have figured out the new class pet. ⭐Add the Ending: Engage students as they practice writing and storytelling skills with this activity. First, students will listen to the beginning of a story that you read to them. Then, they'll take over the writing and complete the story. The story starters are a fun way to motivate students to write. ⭐Alien, Tiger, and Cat: Here's an improvisational theatre game that works in the classroom. Explain to students that they can be one of three things: an alien, a cat, or a tiger. If they choose to be an alien, they need to hold their pointer fingers next to their head (like antennae) and say "bleeb, bleeb." To be a cat, they need to rub their wrist along their face (like a cat cleaning itself) and say "meow." Finally, to be a tiger they need to push their hand forward with a claw stance and roar. On your cue, every student will choose and act like an animal. The goal is to get everyone to choose the same animal (which is nearly impossible, but fun to try). ⭐Rapid Recall: Create a list of random words. Then, read the list of words to students. As you read the words, you might have students put their hands on their heads so that you know for sure that they aren't taking notes. Once you've read the words to students once or twice, wait about a minute before letting students write down every word that they remember. (Find ready-made lists in this complete resource.) ⭐Finish the Fact: Share the beginning of a fact with students. Then, challenge them to complete the fact. Have them share their guesses before revealing the complete fact. Find a collection of random facts here. Want a free set of virtual classroom activities designed to be NO PREP and NO COPIES? Just add your name and email below. ⮟⮟⮟⮟⮟⮟⮟⮟ BONUS: Here's one more idea: ⭐Paper Airplanes: Help students practice following directions by challenging them to fold a paper airplane by following your directions. To get started, choose a paper airplane design to have students fold. Then, have students take out a piece of paper. They'll need to listen carefully to each of your directions to make their paper airplane. Wishing you tons of fun in your (virtual) classroom, Mary Beth P.S. Find a TON of ready-made activities HERE.
I did not include any channels for toddlers or early elementary. Because of the width of YouTube, kids can come across crazy things on YouTube! For even more safety, watch the following videos on the channel’s website or YouTube Kids instead of YouTube. Learn in Color is not affiliated with any of the channels below. […]
With the back-to-school year upon us, this new school year will present some unique challenges. In particular, how are teachers going to get to know their new
5 must-haves for a functional virtual teaching workspace: the essentials you need to help you teach remotely. Extra screen, planner, and more.
I have found that there are many things that we can to do help our kids adjust. Check out my 5 Tips to Help Children Transition to Remote Schooling.
With so many schools closed, teachers around the world are scrambling to find ways to hold classes and engage their students in remote learning. For some
A huge list of educational websites for learning at home. A must-see list of online activities and resources for primary students and teachers planning remote learning during a school closure, illness, or during summer break.
Learn some tips for remote learning and grab a clickable list of remote learning resources and subscriptions for schools impacted by the coronavirus. Is Your School Ready for Remote Learning? We have an interesting discussion happening in the Teach With Tech Facebook group about the logistics of teaching from home and how schools are handling the novel coronavirus outbreak. Some teachers have been asked to pull together a plan with very little time and some districts already have a system in place but there are still concerns about training, tools, money, and even if students have access to WiFi and reliable devices.
A huge list of educational websites for learning at home. A must-see list of online activities and resources for primary students and teachers planning remote learning during a school closure, illness, or during summer break.
