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Celebrate the Earth With Us- Virtual Bulletin Board

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For Earth Day students chose between 2 stories to read on Epic about how they can help the Earth. They then completed a writing assignment to share how they will help the Earth. Students had the option to complete a coloring page and email us a picture to be displayed on our Google Classroom stream.

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Students have just started reading and analyzing short stories for a character education unit. I uploaded a read aloud of the short story where I read while presenting the PDF. I also upload lecture videos and voiceovers explaining assignments. Each day there is a specific assignment - each assignment is different, having students infer, make connections, analyze characters, think about how experiences affect people's perspectives and actions, etc. Students are writing essays, short stories, poetry, and comics in response to the readings. Whole class meeting each week for morning meeting/review of work. Small group Google Meet reading group meetings will begin this week!

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Students in Physics completed their summative assessment for their Energy unit by building their own roller coasters out of paper! They made their own tracks for a marble to travel down and analyzed the energy transfers throughout the coaster.

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In math we are using the Personal Math Trainer from Think Central to learn geometric concepts. We are also using supplemental web videos, teacher made videos, specific virtual worksheets, ideas form Go Math! and class meetings to reinforce learning.

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Students meet live daily for a read aloud and book discussion on our class novel. Minilesson videos for reading/writing workshop are posted daily and students complete writing work on a document that is shared with their teachers. Students are currently working on writing literary essays

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Each of my math classes participates in Google Meet sessions twice every week to review material that was taught using videos, games, online quizzes, and other resources posted on our Google Classroom pages. We also use these opportunities to "check in" with one another, discuss what's new, and share ideas. In science and social studies, we have been using videos, Newsela resources, and Choice Board activities. We also have scheduled Google Meet sessions to connect as a group, engage in class discussions, and provide help to one another.

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We also hold morning meetings Monday through Thursday based on an assignment given the day before. In Language Arts, the students and staff takes turns answering or reading the questions based on comprehension, recall, and questions of the day. In Math, we are learning basic geometry with concepts such as "area." For Social Skills, we are learning how to interpret the chaotic world around us by discussing our feelings and different ways to cope with them.

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Our class took a virtual field trip to a food farm. The students were able to virtually explore pig pens, chicken coops, and see how cheese is made among a ton of areas to explore. After the exploration of the farm, studnets had to write about their favorite area and explain why.

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Our K-2 students have been launched into the world of Google Classroom, Google apps, and online instruction without us there to guide them. The elementary media specialists have been creating Google Classroom lessons that highlight a new skill each week. By creating Screencastify instructional videos, we have been walking students and parents through Google Classroom one skill at a time. We reviewed creating a Google Document and working with Google Slides to start. The 3-6 students have joined Khan Academy and are learning coding and computer programming! They have been really enjoying it and using code to create pictures! Some students have logged over 200 minutes on Khan Academy in less than 2 weeks! Distance learning has given our students a chance to dive into technology without us and they have really stepped up!

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We have been learning about percents. I created review videos to help students get a better understanding of each lesson and posted them in my google classroom for them to refer to. We have google meetings to address any technology issues and to just check in to see how the students are feeling.

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In health we have been learning about drugs and alcohol, and the impact they have on our bodies physically. We have also been learning about ways to handle situations when we are presented with peer pressure. The students are responding to a scenario with "What Would You Do?" We are doing this using Flipgrid.

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Every morning at 10:30, we have been meeting live for a Morning Meeting and a story time. The students love seeing their friends. We have been singing, saying the Pledge of Allegiance, talking about our Question of the Day and discussing our current study which is Insects! The students have been looking for insects and drawing them. They also participated in a Math and a 5 Senses Scavenger Hunt. They used their prediction skills in an activity called Loud or Quiet, using items found around their homes. There seems to be a lot of learning going on in our PreK homes in Saddle Brook!

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Students have been documenting a day in the life, kitchen still life and the view out one of their windows taken during different times of day. Mr Hill and I have been updating the art department's Instagram with student work. https://www.instagram.com/sbhsartanddesign/

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Students meet via Google Meets each morning to share and challenge each other. Monday Morning Math challenge, Tuesday Trivia (we traveled around the USA), Wednesday What, What News, Thursday Thinking and Free Free Share. Students are keeping a journal about their Home School experience and share each morning. This week's news allowed students to participate in SGN (Some Good News) presented by John Krasinski from The Office. Keeping connected with students and staff is most beneficial during this time.

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Using Flipgrid, students created a short video essay early on living in this new weird world. The video had to use cinematic devices such as sound, setting, juxtaposition, symbolism etc. to demonstrate either the PTSD our novel's protagonist was feeling OR the PTSD, feelings they are having during this pandemic. They could not use narration or actors. They found this challenging but engaging.

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Students in grades 1-6, were shared a video of me using materials around my house to create a "Book Box." They were instructed to create their own book boxes with materials from around their house. The book boxes were created to help students have books at their fingertips so they can get right to reading each day. Students shared pictures of their book boxes.

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Students are communicating with one another each day through interactive morning meeting posts. Once a week, 2nd grade has a Google Meet to continue our Favorite Book Friday segment where they can relax while I read them a book. Students are also communicating with each other through Padlet to continue to be able to talk to their classmates and teachers. 4th Grade also has Google Meets once a week to talk with each other about what they have been doing. Currently, our big project has been for writing. Both 2nd grade and 4th grade are crafting detailed letters that will be delivered to hospitals to thank nurses and doctors for their help and bravery during these tragic times.

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In math, I have students use the screenshare function to show their work (brave sharers only, not mandatory) and I use document camera to demonstrate appropriate techniques. This week in social studies, I presented a slideshow and "lectured" over the top of the slideshow, while opening up for discussion and questions during and after. Last week, the students went through a DBQ step-by-step in the lessons and submitted the essay.

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Students participated in a Google Meet "Show and Share". They each brought their favorite toy. In conjunction with our Opinion Writing unit, they gave reasons why it was their favorite toy. In celebration of Earth Day, Kindergarteners are learning a variety of ways to help the earth by "Going Green." They will read books, watch videos, and draw the earth by watching a "How To Draw" video. The culminating project will be creating something new out of recyclable materials from their house. We will share our creations in a Google Meet during the week of Earth Day!

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I sent the students heart hero cutouts. Each hero represents a healthy habit. Each day, I assign the student a healthy habit based on the heart hero. I encourage the student to practice the healthy habit and email me what healthy habit they performed for that day. I send a video from Youtube that goes along with the healthy habit theme for the day.

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The fourth grade students participated in Governor Cuomo's #IStayHome challenge. They came up with a reason why they stay home, and wrote it down. I created a collage of all of their pictures, once it was complete. This was a good way for the students to remember why we are staying home during this time, and to help them feel like they are a part of the solution. My students are also enjoying our Wednesday Google Meet morning meetings. We've had special visitors, like Ms. D and Mrs. Bryne. We talk about how we are feeling, share good news, and play a game together. It is a great way to make us still feel like we are connected.

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Students are viewing and completing our weekly #FalconFitnessChallenges that test their physical and mental strength. The use of interactive PowerPoints allow students to further educate themselves on muscles being used during exercise, focus on proper form, and expand their knowledge of more exercises to create circuits. Parents have access to tools for skill development, behavior management, sensory processing, and special needs. Students have access to health and exercise videos, wellness activities, online Apps, and other sources for students to use and add to their fitness logs.

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Grades K-6 Students have a total of 7 Options to choose from as they continue to explore their art education from home. These options include drawing prompts, free choice drawing, virtual step by step drawing online with a cartoonist, printables, puzzle designs, art history inspiration drawings, art critique of famous paintings, and online art websites to explore games and animation. Students log their work each week in an art log and they upload photos of their beautiful artwork that they have created. I also encourage students to feel free to create art that may not be an option given as I feel that any and all art can be celebrated and explored from home. For example, if they want to create a mask out of a paper plate-Go for it :)! Have fun and I am so proud of you all and miss you!

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Students are listening to Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets read aloud. Just for fun. They are also continuing to learn about nonfiction texts using Fast Food National as a model. Every day, they view a video of a mini lesson for either reading or writing and do activities.

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10 Likes, 0 Comments - Saddle Brook Art and Design (@sbhsartanddesign) on Instagram: "Sculpture Jayvian A"

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I saw that we have an outstanding and rare opportunity, despite these difficult times. We study primary sources every day in my class. We now have a chance to be the creator of our own authentic primary source. Who knows? Maybe one day, students will be learning about the quarantine period by reading your words, just like we study the words of John Adams and Anne Frank! Twice a week, each student is required to create a journal entry for our "Create Your Own Primary Source" assignment. Suggested topics include but are not limited to: recipes and pictures of things they've been cooking for their families; experiences and feelings they have dealt with over the quarantine, a picture of something that represents their day with a short explanation, a vent/rant session about something that's bugging them while being stuck in the house, positive/negatives about the online learning process etc... So far, I have received some fantastic feedback and invaluable insight from the students. The only other part of the assignment is that students can write in GREEN font, if they'd like me to share their words with others in a common Primary Source Document, Black font if it is OK for me to read but not to share, and RED font if they feel the topic is too sensitive for me to read. (Which I'm totally OK with, it allows them to open up and be even more honest!) Hopefully, this will allow everyone to see currently that they are not alone in the feelings and experiences, even if they are secluded from each other, and that students in the future can learn about a major event in our nation's history.

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Daily, the students have been participating in morning circle! They work on greetings, the calendar, and do activities on our letter and themes of the week. I am so proud of how well they have been attending and answering questions. I have been getting wonderful pictures of them doing their letters and crafts at home. They are also working on their programs and watching video modeling lessons that I post! The learning I see going on at home through the pictures they send is remarkable. We have been celebrating their accomplishments by “Lighting it up Blue!” for Autism Awareness month. The students learned about Julia from Sesame Street, and how she and Elmo have a unique and special friendship. Each one of my superheroes in AMAZING each in their own way! They are doing a wonderful job!

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Students participate in a Google Classroom morning meeting. Each day has a different theme: Monday Mood, Tuesday Tune or Poem, Wednesday Wonder, Thursday Think outside the box and Finally Friday. Students interact with one another and the teacher and share thoughts, feelings and ideas.

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Students are exploring the parts and classification of plants by taking a virtual tour of different plants through online videos and lessons on BrainPop Jr.

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Students in my health classes are exploring how people are responding in positive ways to the current situation with the Coronavirus outbreak and self-isolation restrictions. To connect to the students' social emotional learning (SEL), we have investigated how people are turning to animals to cope with feeling alone during self-isolation (more interactions with family pets, increased pet adoptions from shelters, and more people temporarily fostering animals in need). Scientific studies have shown that animals provide comport and companionship, especially during times of crisis. We also learned about the importance of taking 5-minute breaks since more time at home causes most of us to feel a bit bored or restless. Some simple, effective things to do include deep breathing exercises, yoga/stretches, get fresh air, make a fun snack, sketch or color, and listen to music.

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I am creating slideshows to engage the students in learning.  The slideshows are broken down into daily tasks. I use Screencastify to upload onto each slide for that personal touch. We also enjoy our Google Meets to share and touch base.  I created a Google form to survey their opinion of Virtual Learning, which I will use as we proceed in our persuasive writing unit.

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Every morning at 10:30, we have been meeting live for a Morning Meeting and a story time.

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Music students are taking a "deep dive" into the life and work of Beethoven. K-2 did a "Flat Beethoven" project which involved downloading a drawing of Beethoven which they placed around their house while they listened to the 5th Symphony. The upper grades explored websites such as Classics for Kids to learn more about Beethoven's life and sample some music. They even learned that Beethoven's favorite food was mac and cheese!