Digital Get to Know You Activities

                                  

I know we are all thinking about how to get to know our students virtually and help them make connections with one another. I decided to make some digital templates that could be shared with students via Schoology (or whatever your Learning Management Platform is) and used with both Face to Face and Remote instruction. With all of these activities students can complete them, present and share in the classroom or via Zoom whole group or in break out rooms. 

 Here are a few activities I came up with:

Emoji Mingle

This activity allows students to share their favorites with you and their classmates but in a language they love; EMOJIS! 

Click here to grab a copy of the template.

Digital Bingo

This is your typical Find Someone Who activity. I thought it would work well in an Inner Outer Circle 6 ft apart and rotate in the classroom if students all have devices. Virtually you could use in Break Out rooms, switch a couple of times, and then students could all come back and share who they found.

Click here to grab a copy of the template.

2 Truths and a Lie

For this template, I used Meredith Aker's Mystery Reveal for a fun spin to this activity. Students will create their 2 Truths and one Lie. I gave directions on the slide, but you may need to model how to keep the truth and lie answer hidden.

This activity may be best if the student shares their screen and then reveals the answers as others guess, or if you compile all the slides together and then share for the students. You may want to share 2-3 a day as an opener or a closing to your day.

Click here to grab a copy of the template.

Google Forms

I plan on sharing this form with students to fill out individually, to get to know them a little more. They will have the opportunity to share privately any information they want with me as well.

 I'll follow up with a personal letter or video to them to start building a positive relationship.

Would You Rather...???

Who doesn't love Would You Rather??? Mentimeter would be a great resource to poll students and get responses quickly as a group. You could have a couple students share what they picked for each question and why. They also have word clouds, scales, open ended question types. Check it out.

What other ideas do you have for Getting to Know students digitally?

Digital Notebooks

I have had requests to share my digital notebooks. First, I want to say I got the original template from SlidesMania and it can be found here. Also, check out all their amazing resources!

I plan to utilize my digital notebooks regardless if I'm teaching Face to Face or remotely. These notebooks are a way for me to share resources with students and parents. They will be able to access these at school and at home. I do plan on students using digital notebooks as well. This way if students attend some days face to face and then are remote, they will have their notebooks and be able to continue their work. Their notebooks will look similar to mine with the tabs but students will add their own content to theirs. I love that they can still decorate and make the notebooks represent them!

 

Feel free to make a copy of mine if you want the tabs and set up by clicking below:

Reader's Notebook

                                                                      Writer's Notebook

                                                                     Grammar Notebook

How do you plan on utilizing digital notebooks?

Digital Resources

I have created a few digital resources I thought I would share in case anyone else was wanting something similar. All of these digital resources will be great for face to face or distance learning!

DIGITAL LIBRARY

My school district offers our students many digital texts, so I created a digital library. I wanted a place to "house" those and other reading related items like our school library, reading graffiti padlet, and what I am currently reading. From the digital library students can click and access digital texts and help sheets as well. If you would to grab a copy click here!

SCHOOLOGY BANNER

My school district is switching to Schoology learning platform this school year. Like everyone else, I wanted to create a cute banner. I also wanted it to look like my classroom and have my buttons linked in. I ended up using Google Drawing over Slides because I liked the look better. Feel free to grab a copy of mine here if you want something to start with.

"APPS"

My school district is also going to 1-1. I wanted to create something students could easily assess with information that might need on a daily basis. I created a Student App using Google Slides and linking my icons to the slides with in and back to the home page. Students can save this "app" on their phone/iPad home screen or on their desktop. They do not have to login into any platform first to access these materials. I see it being a time saver! You can view and make a copy here.

After creating my student app, I decided to make one for my parents too. Again, the idea is that they can save to the homepage of their phones and have important information all in one place right at their fingertips. As of right now this is what mine includes, but I may make some modifications. Take a look and grab a copy here!

If you're not sure how to save these "apps" do your homepage, here is a short tutorial for you.

Hope these resources spark some ideas for you too!

A Book Review: Onward; Cultivating Emotional Resilience in Educators

I just finished reading Onward; Cultivating Emotional Resilience in Educators by Elena Aguilar. I believe this is a topic that is important and deserves to have many conversations around both for educators and our students. I appreciate Elena's honesty, storytelling, questions, implications for leaders, and desire to help educators (and the whole learning organization) THRIVE.

I love how she set up and divided the book into 12 chapters and related them to a month of the year and correlates the topic with what is going on in the realm of schools and the lives of educators. It may be more manageable to read one chapter a month throughout the school year. I will definitely be revisiting each chapter throughout the year. Elena understands firsthand how many educators feel, our challenges, and gives practical ways that can help make big changes in how we respond to situations and become more RESILENT, the main theme throughout her book.

Even though Elena does not mention spirituality until the very last chapter, but I was able to relate most of her habits to my faith and scripture which help me make connections and helped the information stick with me. Her book is packed full of research, stories, and examples.  I enjoyed learning and thinking more about how to handle my emotions and help others do the same. 

Here are my take aways from each chapter. There is so much more in each chapter that require deep thinking and conversations. 

This is my first time to attempt digital sketch notes. So, I'm taking a risk and sharing them with you. I had a lot of fun making them and was able to express creativity, so I'm well on my way with habit #10 :)!

Intro:

Chapters 1&2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Elena also has a workbook available and her website is full of additional resources on each habit. Make sure to check it out! Let me know if you have read Onward, I'd love to chat with you!

Bitmoji Bingo

Looking for a fun way to connect with students during this Distance Learning time? Maybe Bitmoji Bingo is for you!

I have been seeing the idea of sending Bitmojis to your students to take on an adventure similar to Flat Stanley. So, my partner and I decided to change it up a little bit and create a Bitmoji Bingo for students to complete. They will try and take a picture/selfie with our Bitmoji and get 3 in a row or a Blackout!

They can print out our Bitmoji or save it to their iPad/phone and take a picture with us that way. 

 I created a short explanation video for student and parents along with a PDF of directions and a JPEG file of our Bitmoji and Bingo sheet to print. Click here for a editable copy.

To share the fun with one another, I created a Padlet link for them to share their selfies with us!

I can't wait to "hang" out with our students this week!

My thoughts on Transformation- A present day activity

I've heard Jillian Michaels say "Transformation isn't a future event, it is a present activity." in her workout video to me several times while we've been quarantined at home. This quote has stuck with me and challenged me each day. 

The phrase PRESENT ACTIVITY has been pressed on my heart. What can I do TODAY to transform myself? It doesn't matter if I'm at home during quarantine or going about life as normal, I believe that transformation should always be occurring. Transformation isn't just physical. It can also be spiritual, professional, personal, emotional, mental, etc. The degree of transformation will fluctuate depending on what you are working on. But, I believe it is also a mindset. You must want the transformation to take place, but the great thing is it doesn't happen in one day or disappear in a slip up of one day. Transformation happens as you take the step now, in the PRESENT time! 

I know I've had to transform the way I'm teaching, reaching my students, connecting with my family, finding time for me, etc during these days at home. I'm learning to let go of control and refocus my priorities to what really matters. Let's look at all the new and uncertain times/things we're asked to do as a way to transform ourselves and become even stronger!

So, I challenge you during this time of social distancing ask yourself these questions: What area of my life do I want to transform? How can I improve? What can I do each day to make myself and those around me better?

5 Ways to Encourage Your Kids' Hearts

 

I want to start by saying I am not a licensed counselor, but I am a teacher and a mom, and these are a few ways I am helping my own children stay calm, create some normalcy for them, and enjoy some family time.

“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” Proverbs 4:23

Here are 5 Ways to Encourage Your Kids' hearts (and your own) during times of uncertainty:

1. Establish a routine/schedule that works for you!!

There is no one schedule that is best. Kids and adults alike thrive on a routine and schedule. It helps make things more predictable and safe for them. 

Here is the schedule our family has been following! It is ok if you veer from the schedule or modify it throughout the day. 

Click here to make a copy and make it your own.

2. Gratitude and Goals-

(Built within our family schedule are the other 4 ways to encourage you and your family.)

During our breakfast time, I read a devotional to the boys. Then, we share something we are grateful for and a goal we have for the day. We are creating a journal that we can look back on with our gratitude and goals. 

"Start each day with a grateful heart." This sets a positive tone for our entire day and guides us in prayer.

Click here to grab this simple page to get started with gratitude and goals! I print two or four to a page. 

3. Workout/Get Active

I'm talking to the adults here too! While I work out, my boys do their independent reading time. If you prefer to do this before your kids are up, that works to! Just make sure you get moving! Endorphins are good for the brain. This is a time that is for me. I often listen to praise music or a podcast as I work out. I'm used to working out at home, but if you’re not Peloton is offering a 90 day free trial to their workouts. In addition to your workout, make sure your kids are moving too! Get outside with your kids.  

4. Family Devotional and Quiet Time

Getting into God's word is so important, especially when fear and anxiety are high. We have been using Bear Creek Kids reading plan and family devotionals to dig into God's word. Spending time reading the Bible, talking, praising God, and memorizing scripture has a positive effect on our family. It is also important for me to have quiet time with God. My heart needs to be in the right place and set on the right things to be able to be the best mom I can be for them. 

5. Think, Create, and Share

It is also important for our kids to be able to think, create, and talk each day. I'm a teacher and still overwhelmed with all the different resources you can find on Social Media. Do your best to get your kids reading and talking, writing about their reading or video they watch, and creating something they are passionate about. Bake with them, get the art supplies and cardboard out, build with Legos, play games, spend time together reading. Let them imagine! Have fun!

Family Bingo has a few more ideas

Grab a copy here, feel free to edit for your family

And last but not least, give yourself grace and your children lots of hugs! There is no one answer or right way to do things. We will get through these uncertain times and uncharted territories. Keep your mind and heart focused on God! He doesn't change, and His love and faithfulness never end! Let me know how I can pray for you!

“You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!” Isaiah 26:3