Many students have been learning remotely for a long time.
Many people are concerned about academic loss from not being physically in school.
No matter what the children have experienced for the last several months, it has most certainly NOT been a normal school year.
What can we do?
Yes, there will be a big slide this year. Far bigger than the typical summer slide. But as teachers we know that we need to take our students from where they are, and bring them as far as we can bring them. Some students lose less than others. Some lose a lot. It happens. But we do the best we can.
There's not much we can do right now to prevent that slide, especially when we're not in the same room as the children.
But what can we do?
Brain research tells us that when children go for a long period of time without practicing skills, they won't remember what they've already learned. Therefore, we need to do a lot of review right now. Give them plenty of practice with the skills they have developed this year. But it's important to make it as fun as possible!
One of my favorite platforms for reviewing skills: Boom Learning! These digital task cards can be used on any device, and gives immediate feedback to the students. The teacher can see exactly what the students have been doing, and they can repeat each task over and over again for frequent review.
One of my favorite collections of Boom Learning Cards:
Here's a link to many more!
Here are some more review activities that are perfect for "end of year" or "summer review."
It's also important that children read frequently, and use their written skills often. I recommend a daily journal (with a gratitude element) and writing letters and emails to loved ones as well as friends. Board games and cooking experiences will give them math practice too! Squeeze it in when you can, but in a fun way!
I'm sure you already know how crazy things are, and how many people are dealing with heavy duty anxiety right now. Children are scared. Parents are frustrated. Teachers are trying to learn a whole new job without training and are trying to make it work. It's definitely not a good time to push them academically. They are experiencing history, that's enough! Their brains are overloaded. Don't push, just review! (I'll bet your instincts were saying this, too!)
This is probably the most important thing teachers and parents can do right now: let them know you care.
Elementary teachers know how much they are missed, and how reaching out to the little ones will make their day. Search for ways to make personal contact with each child. Email, call, drive by, or if your district allows, video conference.
We know those personal connections are what really makes teaching work, and what makes online learning so tough.
But it's also what makes teaching worth it.
Want
to know something that might make you feel a little better? When this
is all over, they'll be older. When they're older and emotionally ready
to learn, they pick things up quickly. They'll be ok. They'll be more
than ok!
Want more information? Here's an informational brochure for parents: Parent Communication Brochure: Social Distancing Edition
