Are they Learning? No Tech, Low Tech...No Problem

I'm hearing from colleagues, family members, close friends, and educators around the globe that they are worried about students not getting enough instructional time right now while schools are closed due to the Corona virus. Parents are stressed. Teachers are overworked. Kids are confused. And we're all just trying to figure this out while it's happening (very quickly)!

The biggest concern from teachers is about the kids they aren't hearing from on online platforms or through other means of communication. What are they doing? Are they learning? What's going on? And how can I help? 
​
Guess what...students are learning a lot at home. We might just have to help families refine daily practices a little. So here's what I suggest. 

If you are noticing that a student doesn't seem to be showing up online, they may be having trouble with technology. Even if the district has provided a device and free internet, the family may be struggling with how to use the platforms, how to navigate the system, or may be worried about safety issues with using platforms that are being offered. No matter the circumstances, honor the reality. We are all in different places. Let's move past that and meet families where they are. 

Offer families low tech or no tech ways to continue supporting their child's learning. There is no way we can replicate what instruction was like face to face. So we aren't going to try. But what we can do is give families and students tools to take what they HAVE and use those to build LANGUAGE and learn in authentic ways together. Every moment can be a teachable moment even at home. 

Captions

• Turn on the captions when watching tv. Yes, even cartoons. Captions are annoying to me because I have to read them if they are in front of me. But that's what we want for our students. We WANT them to be reading. Eyes on texts as much as possible. No matter the age. Even our little ones that are emergent readers! 

Games

• Play board games as a family. Playing games as a group incorporates teamwork, thinking, problem solving, listening, speaking, and sometimes reading. Games like charades and Pictionary include movement also. 
• If your child is reading, let them read the directions to you. Games like Sorry, Monopoly, Clue, Uno, teach students to work together, problem solve and also often incorporate math skills.
• Karaoke is a fun way to weave in reading! 
• Teach children games from your childhood. 

Cooking

• The kitchen offers a wide curriculum! Let the kids in no matter their age. The opportunities for learning in the kitchen are endless. The opportunity to share cultural experiences in the kitchen are bountiful. 
• What kids can do in the kitchen will depend on their developmental ability. Readers can read a recipe. If kids are not reading yet, they can listen and follow instructions. For example, "We need these three ingredients: eggs, milk, and butter. Can you get those?"
• Kids can make a list of what is needed for the recipe by writing or drawing. Or they can illustrate and label the steps. 
• Older kids can make a meal for their family. 
• After making a recipe, students can write a recommendation about the recipe. Would they recommend it? Why or why not? What would they change? 
• Cooking together offers opportunities to learn about problem solving and mathematics too. Measuring the ingredients and discussing cups, ounces, etc. What if we need to double the recipe? 

Watching TV

• Teachers can make learning from just about anything...even tv. Watching a movie, television show, or documentary can offer opportunities for listening, speaking, reading, and writing. 
• Again, turn on the caption for a reading opportunity. 
• After watching, discuss the episode in English or in a primary language. What was the main idea? What did you learn? Was there a lesson? 
• Write a recommendation. Do you recommend this show/movie? Why? Who is it recommended for? What would you change? 
• If what you watched was a story, create a story map with visuals or the setting, characters, problem, events, and solution. 
• Write a letter to one of the characters. Ask him/her questions about the events. 
• If what you watched was nonfiction, draw and label the main ideas. 

Many families are doing these things with their kids or they would be open to doing them. They often just need the suggestions. Families, like us, are overwhelmed right now. When learning feels authentic and part of everyday life, it's more readily going to happen. 

​Stay well, everyone.