Education Resources Blog

by Cathy Henry, Guest Blogger

It's the word everyone is tired of hearing: unprecedented. And yet, it seems to be the only word that can accurately describe the challenges educators have faced thus far this year. No one could have predicted that distance learning would become full time, graduation celebrations would be cancelled, and the only face-to-face interaction you were allowed with your students was via a drive-through car parade. It has been a strange, strange time. But our world will keep turning, and we will welcome students back into school buildings soon. With changing CDC Guidelines and plenty of measures being recommended to keep our communities safe, you'll need ways to create pieces on-demand - and we're here to help.

It's hard to describe this school year without using the words unprecedented, unexpected, chaotic, and strange. There just aren't the right words for the emotions you and your students are feeling about losing their "previously normal" routines. As this school year begins to wind down, there are some things you can still do to celebrate their achievements and remind them that the role models surrounding them with love and support are there for them, even in times of social distancing.

At a time when a majority of our social interaction is being done online, we have to be more aware than ever before of the things we're posting, sharing, hosting and baring.  So imagine our students, who were born into a world where the internet was already accessible on a mobile phone. They're Tik-Tok-ing, Instagramming, and Snapchatting all day long to stay in connection with their friends during this time of social distancing. And as one of their biggest role models outside the family, what kinds of things are you talking with them about, as it relates to posting content on the internet?

Sensory paths are often used in school building hallways or classrooms to help students release energy, enhance focus, learn, and of course - HAVE FUN in the process. In this time of virtual and distance learning, we thought - what a great idea to give the project to students to create their own "math path" - combining STEAM methodology with kinesthetic learning! Knowing that not all students have access to sidewalk chalk and pavement, this activity can be recreated by cutting out paper shapes for the floor, placing tape on the carpet, or playing "architect" and designing their sensory path with just pens/crayons/markers and paper.

We're talking a lot about virtual needs and resources these days, but what about needs for those who NEED to be in-person? We at VariQuest are corresponding (from a distance, of course) with friends and family who are on the front lines of fighting this pandemic in healthcare facilities, and a common need at these places was around mitigating confusion via signage. People showing up to schools and hospitals need to know where they can and should go, to get the essential food pick-up and emergency care they need. And we thought - we can help with that!

In this time of virtual learning, many educators are dedicated to finding content that all students can access and participate in at home. It may sound simple, but why not start a journaling activity?  Have each student complete one page per day, divided into three sections about what they're reading, feeling, and learning. This can be used for any age, making prompts as complex or as simple as you'd like. Have students submit entries they're particularly proud of, for sharing with the greater class, and use all students' reading, feeling, and learning entries as opportunities to foster larger lessons and discussions with the class. It's crowdsourcing, for your virtual classroom!