Teaching through the pandemic was hard...but it provided us with new perspectives on teaching and learning. What insights and new practices will you bring forward into the fall? by MaryAnne Choma https://padlet.com/mchoma1/q8pfcq4v8tjjnw06 Click on the + under one or more of the columns to add a post to that column. Then, type your response as it is pertains to the category. en-us 2020-11-18 19:11:40 UTC 2025-11-12 13:52:28 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet.com/mchoma1/q8pfcq4v8tjjnw06/wish/1645853108 This past year we relied heavily on technology to convey content. I am looking forward to using technology more sparingly in the Fall and getting back to a reasonable blend of pencil/paper activities with technology mixed in. ]]> 2021-07-12 12:19:43 UTC https://padlet.com/mchoma1/q8pfcq4v8tjjnw06/wish/1645853108 I reached out to parents who then volunteered to zoom with my classes as guest speakers. They spoke about their career paths and their current positions. As part of the World Language Fellows grant, we had alumni, professionals and college professors speak to the fellows about the importance of learning another language and the influence that it has had on their lives and careers. I will continue to have guest speakers in my future classes. dflood4_1 https://padlet.com/mchoma1/q8pfcq4v8tjjnw06/wish/1645854507 2021-07-12 12:21:22 UTC https://padlet.com/mchoma1/q8pfcq4v8tjjnw06/wish/1645854507 https://padlet.com/mchoma1/q8pfcq4v8tjjnw06/wish/1645856745 I agree with the previous comment! This year was awash in technology - admittedly some of it awesome - I really enjoyed using jamboard and when they were ALL zoom Peardeck - but trying to do assessments for example was fraught]]> 2021-07-12 12:23:54 UTC https://padlet.com/mchoma1/q8pfcq4v8tjjnw06/wish/1645856745 I am looking forward to getting back to more student to student collaboration (less teacher centered classroom). I understand there still may be distance restrictions but peer to peer/small group collaboration is an important part of SEL growth. https://padlet.com/mchoma1/q8pfcq4v8tjjnw06/wish/1645857211 2021-07-12 12:24:28 UTC https://padlet.com/mchoma1/q8pfcq4v8tjjnw06/wish/1645857211 I have moved away from some of the more traditional assessments to focus more on mastery based learning, e.g., students using gimkit to gain vocabulary fluency instead of a traditional vocal quiz. I have also embraced portfolio assessment and use that to have students reflect on what they have learned and how they have grown as language learners. dflood4_1 https://padlet.com/mchoma1/q8pfcq4v8tjjnw06/wish/1645857245 2021-07-12 12:24:28 UTC https://padlet.com/mchoma1/q8pfcq4v8tjjnw06/wish/1645857245 I really enjoyed learning how to use and incorporate new platforms into the classroom. With that being said, it was a bit overboard with all of the technology this year. I am looking forward to more of a balance this school year. egambino4_1 https://padlet.com/mchoma1/q8pfcq4v8tjjnw06/wish/1645860619 2021-07-12 12:28:21 UTC https://padlet.com/mchoma1/q8pfcq4v8tjjnw06/wish/1645860619 https://padlet.com/mchoma1/q8pfcq4v8tjjnw06/wish/1645860779 I implemented weekly student reflections in my classes last year which was overall quite successful - although time consuming..
And I think I will keep it at least in one of my classes - although it will no longer equal a quiz grade;)]]> 2021-07-12 12:28:33 UTC https://padlet.com/mchoma1/q8pfcq4v8tjjnw06/wish/1645860779 I have used some strategies in class that I use with students in my internship class to help them loosen up in preparation for final presentation. Getting up and moving around is so important since the students sit so much of the day. Even on zoom, we do some stretches, shake out the legs and arms and do some voice warm ups. Then go around the "room" a few times, first checking in with each other and using a word to describe their day so far. Just knowing how the students are feeling at the start of the class provides a gauge for the feeling of the room. It helps to determine how you might need to adjust the lesson to provide some emotional support for the day. We might also share some other warm ups - a sound and a gesture, an imaginary “whoosh”, toss an imaginary ball. These seem silly but the kids really enjoy them and it teaches strategies to help them relax a have fun, connect with each other and enjoy each other’s company while we learn together. dflood4_1 https://padlet.com/mchoma1/q8pfcq4v8tjjnw06/wish/1645861082 2021-07-12 12:28:56 UTC https://padlet.com/mchoma1/q8pfcq4v8tjjnw06/wish/1645861082 Some new platforms like Jamboard and PearDeck were really helpful and I'll continue to utilize them going forward https://padlet.com/mchoma1/q8pfcq4v8tjjnw06/wish/1645861541 2021-07-12 12:29:26 UTC https://padlet.com/mchoma1/q8pfcq4v8tjjnw06/wish/1645861541 https://padlet.com/mchoma1/q8pfcq4v8tjjnw06/wish/1645862470 The break out rooms were a success and when in person they would often go off into the Learning Commons next door to do group work and that seemed to work well for everyone- and because it was near me I could easily go walk around and check on them and clarify directions etc]]> 2021-07-12 12:30:26 UTC https://padlet.com/mchoma1/q8pfcq4v8tjjnw06/wish/1645862470 Functional Technology jzopp2_1 https://padlet.com/mchoma1/q8pfcq4v8tjjnw06/wish/1645863346 Jumping to a remote setting and digital instruction was not difficult. I have been using technology in my classes widely over the years. What was different this year was that EVERYONE was using it. Kids got tired of it. My class used to be one of the only classes that used it so it was novel and exciting. They began to get bored of it and abuse it. Time for more paper and pencil in 2022!]]> 2021-07-12 12:31:21 UTC https://padlet.com/mchoma1/q8pfcq4v8tjjnw06/wish/1645863346 I too am looking forward to more student collaboration this coming school year. egambino4_1 https://padlet.com/mchoma1/q8pfcq4v8tjjnw06/wish/1645863515 2021-07-12 12:31:28 UTC https://padlet.com/mchoma1/q8pfcq4v8tjjnw06/wish/1645863515 Using formerly asynchronous lessons for reteaching. We have built a catalog of lessons that should not go unused. https://padlet.com/mchoma1/q8pfcq4v8tjjnw06/wish/1645864195 2021-07-12 12:32:14 UTC https://padlet.com/mchoma1/q8pfcq4v8tjjnw06/wish/1645864195 Home Groups https://padlet.com/mchoma1/q8pfcq4v8tjjnw06/wish/1645864262 Home groups were a HUGE help last year for facilitating collaboration with students both in school and at home. I am looking forward to growing these groups and would love to learn more ways to bring my students together. ]]> 2021-07-12 12:32:19 UTC https://padlet.com/mchoma1/q8pfcq4v8tjjnw06/wish/1645864262 I am going to take part in Mara's Civil Discourse Boot camp in August to help shape some of the conversations that will occur from the different units I am teaching this year. https://padlet.com/mchoma1/q8pfcq4v8tjjnw06/wish/1645864267 2021-07-12 12:32:19 UTC https://padlet.com/mchoma1/q8pfcq4v8tjjnw06/wish/1645864267 Peardeck https://padlet.com/mchoma1/q8pfcq4v8tjjnw06/wish/1645865012 Pear deck was a great tool for quick check ins and formative feedback. ]]> 2021-07-12 12:33:08 UTC https://padlet.com/mchoma1/q8pfcq4v8tjjnw06/wish/1645865012 That it is important to truly know our students and explore biases we may have as well as ensure that we are interrupting student to student harm when we see it based on a students' cultural background or gender. https://padlet.com/mchoma1/q8pfcq4v8tjjnw06/wish/1645865081 2021-07-12 12:33:11 UTC https://padlet.com/mchoma1/q8pfcq4v8tjjnw06/wish/1645865081 Empathy jzopp2_1 https://padlet.com/mchoma1/q8pfcq4v8tjjnw06/wish/1645865164 I found that there was a greater sense of empathy between parents, teachers and students. Emails were never about the student not being capable, instead they were about investigating what was getting in the way of learning. Parents were very receptive to SEL inquires.]]> 2021-07-12 12:33:18 UTC https://padlet.com/mchoma1/q8pfcq4v8tjjnw06/wish/1645865164 I took 3 days of prep work at the end of June and beginning of July on the New US History Regents for June 2022 and I am planning some assessments around this work. https://padlet.com/mchoma1/q8pfcq4v8tjjnw06/wish/1645865382 2021-07-12 12:33:32 UTC https://padlet.com/mchoma1/q8pfcq4v8tjjnw06/wish/1645865382 SEL https://padlet.com/mchoma1/q8pfcq4v8tjjnw06/wish/1645865418 This year was so disjointed in terms of instruction and what we could realistically do with our students in the classroom in terms of interaction. While I think that SEL came to the forefront in terms of student well-being this year, I want to work toward creating the culture inside the classroom with my students that I feel suffered the most this year. ]]> 2021-07-12 12:33:34 UTC https://padlet.com/mchoma1/q8pfcq4v8tjjnw06/wish/1645865418 Technology https://padlet.com/mchoma1/q8pfcq4v8tjjnw06/wish/1645865677 During the pandemic I tried so many ew technologies that helped me stay connected to my students. It also changed how I delivered content. As much as this was helpful this past year, I am looking forward to taking a step back from technology this year and giving the kids a and myself a break from the screen time. Having them use paper and pen to take notes ect..]]> 2021-07-12 12:33:52 UTC https://padlet.com/mchoma1/q8pfcq4v8tjjnw06/wish/1645865677 I liked the ability to quickly check for understanding using various different platforms (Quizizz, Gimkit, etc). https://padlet.com/mchoma1/q8pfcq4v8tjjnw06/wish/1645866022 2021-07-12 12:34:17 UTC https://padlet.com/mchoma1/q8pfcq4v8tjjnw06/wish/1645866022 Student expertise https://padlet.com/mchoma1/q8pfcq4v8tjjnw06/wish/1645866121 We had to take the time to teach into technology that we may have skipped over in previous years. This made each student feel like an expert when it came to technology. It will be important in the future to continue to slow down and teach into the basics.]]> 2021-07-12 12:34:23 UTC https://padlet.com/mchoma1/q8pfcq4v8tjjnw06/wish/1645866121 I felt that the work in class since the pandemic began has become much more collaborative between myself and the students. I hope to continue this while at the same time making sure that students are accountable and helping them to see if they are advancing in their studies. https://padlet.com/mchoma1/q8pfcq4v8tjjnw06/wish/1645866241 2021-07-12 12:34:31 UTC https://padlet.com/mchoma1/q8pfcq4v8tjjnw06/wish/1645866241 https://padlet.com/mchoma1/q8pfcq4v8tjjnw06/wish/1645866418 I enjoyed using new platforms to help teach science curriculum this year but I am looking forward to getting back to hands-on experiments. Kids seem to remember more that way.]]> 2021-07-12 12:34:41 UTC https://padlet.com/mchoma1/q8pfcq4v8tjjnw06/wish/1645866418 https://padlet.com/mchoma1/q8pfcq4v8tjjnw06/wish/1645866698 I found that the pandemic allowed for very honest communication with parents.  ]]> 2021-07-12 12:34:59 UTC https://padlet.com/mchoma1/q8pfcq4v8tjjnw06/wish/1645866698 I think it's essential to keep the social emotional component of student learning a top priority. With so much change and political and social unrest in the past school year we need to provide a place of stability and support for students. https://padlet.com/mchoma1/q8pfcq4v8tjjnw06/wish/1645866988 2021-07-12 12:35:17 UTC https://padlet.com/mchoma1/q8pfcq4v8tjjnw06/wish/1645866988 Technology and varied use of it was key but I am looking forward to integrating it more often, as it made learning so transparent for all. https://padlet.com/mchoma1/q8pfcq4v8tjjnw06/wish/1645867265 2021-07-12 12:35:34 UTC https://padlet.com/mchoma1/q8pfcq4v8tjjnw06/wish/1645867265 https://padlet.com/mchoma1/q8pfcq4v8tjjnw06/wish/1645867662 Our recent training sessions have forced me to really take an honest look at my own biases/privilege and see how I can better support the students in my class using this awareness.]]> 2021-07-12 12:35:58 UTC https://padlet.com/mchoma1/q8pfcq4v8tjjnw06/wish/1645867662 Build and foster a community of mutual respect and understanding. Provide choice and voice in assignments to allow for and embrace all perspectives. Apply strategies for civil discourse. dflood4_1 https://padlet.com/mchoma1/q8pfcq4v8tjjnw06/wish/1645867768 2021-07-12 12:36:04 UTC https://padlet.com/mchoma1/q8pfcq4v8tjjnw06/wish/1645867768 Assessments & Home Learning https://padlet.com/mchoma1/q8pfcq4v8tjjnw06/wish/1645867795 I found some of the online learning tools to be helpful for quick assessments or for students to test themselves. I also like the idea of storing videos and digital materials for review or for absent students.]]> 2021-07-12 12:36:06 UTC https://padlet.com/mchoma1/q8pfcq4v8tjjnw06/wish/1645867795 As part of the family history presentations in class we had several grandparents join us via zoom and I want to continue that this year. I also had parents and other experts join via zoom to contribute to class and I want to continue this. I am in the planning stages for a 20th Anniversary ceremony to remember the events of September 11th. The ceremony will include parents and students. https://padlet.com/mchoma1/q8pfcq4v8tjjnw06/wish/1645867832 2021-07-12 12:36:07 UTC https://padlet.com/mchoma1/q8pfcq4v8tjjnw06/wish/1645867832 I am looking forward to students working together without worrying about the distance so much.. https://padlet.com/mchoma1/q8pfcq4v8tjjnw06/wish/1645868135 2021-07-12 12:36:22 UTC https://padlet.com/mchoma1/q8pfcq4v8tjjnw06/wish/1645868135 Parents KNOW their kids and so my job is to tap in and listen well. https://padlet.com/mchoma1/q8pfcq4v8tjjnw06/wish/1645868228 2021-07-12 12:36:28 UTC https://padlet.com/mchoma1/q8pfcq4v8tjjnw06/wish/1645868228 Wait time https://padlet.com/mchoma1/q8pfcq4v8tjjnw06/wish/1645868826 I think there were more varied ways for students to participate in class. Being able to use the chat, or pear deck, or raising a hand let some students which wouldn't have participated as often feel more comfortable.]]> 2021-07-12 12:37:05 UTC https://padlet.com/mchoma1/q8pfcq4v8tjjnw06/wish/1645868826 https://padlet.com/mchoma1/q8pfcq4v8tjjnw06/wish/1645868969 Student collaboration is much more diverse now with things like Padlet and Desmos but I have to admit that I do miss seeing the kids work together in person in groups.]]> 2021-07-12 12:37:14 UTC https://padlet.com/mchoma1/q8pfcq4v8tjjnw06/wish/1645868969 Some recent meetings have made me take an honest look at my background and the unintentional biases that I may have. Hopefully since I have become more aware, I will be a better teacher to all students. https://padlet.com/mchoma1/q8pfcq4v8tjjnw06/wish/1645869543 2021-07-12 12:37:49 UTC https://padlet.com/mchoma1/q8pfcq4v8tjjnw06/wish/1645869543 I have embraced many technology tools and used them daily in my classes. dflood4_1 https://padlet.com/mchoma1/q8pfcq4v8tjjnw06/wish/1645870323 2021-07-12 12:38:34 UTC https://padlet.com/mchoma1/q8pfcq4v8tjjnw06/wish/1645870323 Student wellness https://padlet.com/mchoma1/q8pfcq4v8tjjnw06/wish/1645870739 Through the pandemic, I became more aware of the students well-being as a whole as opposed to how it relates to just my course. I allowed more time to debrief and connect.]]> 2021-07-12 12:38:59 UTC https://padlet.com/mchoma1/q8pfcq4v8tjjnw06/wish/1645870739 https://padlet.com/mchoma1/q8pfcq4v8tjjnw06/wish/1645871317 Parents seemed to be more understanding and more "on our side" throughout this year. This helped. communication and it made it easier to help students!]]> 2021-07-12 12:39:34 UTC https://padlet.com/mchoma1/q8pfcq4v8tjjnw06/wish/1645871317 https://padlet.com/mchoma1/q8pfcq4v8tjjnw06/wish/1645872673 Student collaboration was a bit more difficult this year, but it was interesting how creative everyone got (including students!)]]> 2021-07-12 12:40:55 UTC https://padlet.com/mchoma1/q8pfcq4v8tjjnw06/wish/1645872673 Tech & low-tech https://padlet.com/mchoma1/q8pfcq4v8tjjnw06/wish/1645873094 Teaching in a hybrid format allowed me to try out and experiment with a lot of different forms of technology. At the same time I appreciated even more the absence of technology as a mental and intellectual break from the tech overload.]]> 2021-07-12 12:41:22 UTC https://padlet.com/mchoma1/q8pfcq4v8tjjnw06/wish/1645873094