Did you know that every web-based site now automatically has a QR Code in Google Chrome?
This is great for a quick way to have students go to a site without copying and pasting the address for them. If students have iPads or a smartphones, they can scan this QR code right away. Otherwise you can save the QR code to use another time. Below are some articles on uses for QR codes in the classroom:
As we navigate this year and determine how best to serve our students, one thing is certain - the elements of effective instruction are the same in the online environment, with some small tweaks to accommodate the necessity of technology to make it happen. With that in mind, here are some small tips and tricks, some interesting tidbits, and some resources worthy of passing along.
1. Email apnea is an interesting phenomena resulting from shallow breathing when seated in front of a screen. It causes quite a lot of physical reactions by our body that make us feel worse because we are actually holding our breath while reading our email. By being aware of this, we can proactively seek to remedy it by reminding ourselves to breathe, taking necessary breaks, and relaxing our eyes. You can read more about it here.
2. Being in an online environment changes the way in which we conduct formative assessment. Since we are on videoconferencing software, it can be tempting to ask for verbal responses from our students, but that can be time consuming with a large group. Instead, two ideas are "flood the chat" and "waterfall chat". Flood the chat is the idea of having students type multiple answers to a prompt in the chat so the chat is full of ideas. Waterfall chat is having students type in an answer but not hitting send, then counting down from 3 and when you say go, they all hit send and it fills the chat with a waterfall of answers.
3. As I mentioned in an email after the Elementary and Secondary Technology Conferences, Jamboard is a newer resource from Google that can be leveraged in your classes. This wakelet is a great place to start finding templates for Jamboard to make it more interactive too. I like the Pros and Cons one where students fill in the post-its with ideas.
What have you learned this year that is worth sharing with others outside your department or your grade level team? I'd love to hear from you.
This is a challenging year. We have our professional struggles with how to handle the learning options, the social distancing, the mask breaks, the wiping down of desks, etc. But then we go home at night and we have personal struggles as well - balancing family needs and others (grad school for me).
That's why I'm choosing to start a campaign for kindness. Kindness never goes out of style and you can never have too much of it, so I might as well spread it thick like nutella! Will you join me in my campaign for kindness and be an ambassador?
I was inspired by the pink sticky notes on desks, doors, computers that someone put around after school at the middle school. I heard and saw the positivity that this created both when people talked to each other or mentioned how it brightened their day on social media. One small act.
With this in mind, I'm going to let people know what they mean to Warrior Run. I have "You Matter" cards that need to be spread around. I have some ready to go - if you want a set to share with others, sign up for a pack here. When you see a student, teacher, paraprofessional, administrator, parent struggling, slip them a card. Let them know they matter. Keep it a secret or do it directly - that's up to you.
For the month of November, I plan to express my gratitude for the myriad of blessings in my life. I will be writing thank you cards weekly to those that need recognition the most - everyone! If you would like 4 thank you cards to join me, please sign up for a pack here.
Spread the word by emailing this blog post to another WR employee. Let's create a campaign of kindness.
