Today, I started my day with a group of 5th graders. Through my computer screen, I was introduced to three dogs, two cats, and a bunny. Two students ate breakfast in between responses about prefixes. One showed off his pretty amazing drawing skills to illustrate a character in the story I had read. Another introduced me to her three siblings, all "doing school" at the same dining room table. A few shy students didn't turn on their cameras, but when I asked them about a favorite place to visit, they turned their mics on and told me stories about their summer trip the Grand Canyon or their cousins in Mexico.
All of that was before 9:00.
Virtual teaching is a new and somewhat scary experience for everyone. I understand the stress many teachers are feeling. This type of instruction can provide a multitude of frustrations, such as lagging video and wandering students. But I also find it refreshing. I get to witness students in their homes. I watch their family dynamics and see their comfort as they sit in their bed or walk to the sink for a drink of water. I hear them turning to their parents or siblings to speak in Spanish or Arabic or French. I see the posters on their walls.
Because of online teaching, I have also been able to bring together students from different schools in my online sessions. They may have never met each other otherwise, but now light up when they see their "new friends" log into the Google Meet. I teach students ranging from Kindergarten to 6th grade this year, so some of my day involves watching 5-year-olds wiggle and dance and draw "fishies" I spend another portion of my day witnessing pre-teens yelling at their younger siblings that they are attempting to babysit during their school day. In the classroom, it's hard to fully imagine the people my students are outside the classroom.
So, while I look forward to walking into classroom communities and watching students work together and play very soon, I want to take this time and appreciate my students how they are and where they are right now. Some are in comfort. Some are in chaos. For an hour a day, they are in my class, even if that class is just my face on a screen. I am so glad I get to be a part of their day.
Some favorite quotes:
Me: I know that was your sister is answering the questions for you.
Her: How did you know?
Me: Well, first of all, most students don't turn off their camera every time they are called on.
Coworker (overheard): Aren't those supposed to be in a cage?? (It was pet birds.)
Me: You couldn't get out of bed for class?
Him: That would involve putting on clothes.
Student (looking around for proper nouns in his house): I found a Woolpooh!
Me: A what?
Student: (runs to his refrigerator and shows me "Whirlpool" brand)
Me: Oh. That says Whirlpool. Good job.
Him: My Woolpooh makes ice! (proceeds to hit the ice machine with his hand and I watch ice fall all over the floor).
Me: Anna, what did you draw as your favorite food?
Her: Well, I did rainbow spaghetti, but my mom says that isn't a food. So, I drew a pancake. That is your favorite food and I want to be your friend.
