I think it's safe to say no teacher ever imagined teaching their students from home. UNLESS you wanted to be an online teacher or you were a parent who wanted to homeschool their children. 

Throughout college, I never imaged teaching my kids from a computer. Trying to gauge their level of participation. Their level of understanding. It just wasn't something I thought I was going to have to do. It still is crazy to me that we are living in a time when we are social distancing.

Yet, while I am saddened that I am not with my kids - deeply saddened. I feel a sense of renewal.

I find myself doing things I haven't done before. For example, I'm actually researching and using technology. A few months ago, I would have consider myself tech savvy. But now, I am at a whole new level. Thanks, social distancing! LOL.

But for real. The last time I updated my blog was a year ago. 

I don't feel tired.
I don't feel burned out.
I don't feel overwhelmed by papers to grade.
I don't feel the weight of new curriculum hanging over my head.

And yet. I'm not doing anything different.

As a matter of fact, I'm checking papers more regularly and keeping tabs on my kids work daily. I actually have time to invest into grading papers and seeing their progress. 

And while I miss them terribly. (I seriously hoped we would be back together again now.) I do feel a sense of renewal and for that...I am grateful. 

I am playing games, going for walks outside, and attempting a blog again. 

I find myself wanting to find things to do, not just sitting in front of the tv.

And no, I'm not complaining. But I do think it's good to reflect on how life has shifted and think about how we want life to be when things go back to somewhat normal. 

​Until next time. 

I find that with stations or centers, teachers are busy planning activities that keep students occupied so that they can do guided reading instruction. However, there are a few problems with this plan.  
 

1. Not all students can complete the task.
2. Activities are not fit to teach the student the task. It is busy work.

 
For me, the whole point behind literacy centers is to engage students in meaningful tasks that push their thinking. That give them time to practice skills they need to move them forward with their learning. If you are absent, while this learning is taking place, who is helping to guide students through the learning process.
 
Don’t get me wrong. I do like the guided reading model. I have read books on it and researched it online. Yet, I find myself in a place of upset when I am conducting guided reading because not only should I be at my table with the 3-5 students that I have seated in front of me, but I should also be with the other 15 left on their own.
 
I have found there are other more meaningful ways to meet with students. For example, during reader’s workshop, pulling a small strategy group of 3-5 students to work on a particular topic with them. Or sitting down at a station for a quick minute and reviewing a topic with students. Those moments can be just as meaningful if they are planned.

Start thinking outside the box. Using our time wisely is so important. And using the students’ time is important too. Find ways to get creative so learning is happening for all students. 

I’m naturally shy around people I don’t know. It usually takes me a little while to warm up and get comfortable. So if you asked me to blog and network online with other educators, a year ago, I probably would have freaked out. The weird part is, it has been something I’ve secretly wanted to do for a few years ​but it just didn’t work out when I tried. Something I’ve done though is blog for my parents at school but I haven’t done is blog for myself.