It’s that time again; the semester is starting (depending on when you’re reading this), and distance learning is a component. Here are some tips you can use to make distance learning more manageable. Reading this will save time and get some peace of mind, especially if you are a new teacher.
1. Help parents be more involved in distance learning.
Often parents feel overwhelmed. As a teacher, you may as well. One thing that may help is to point parents to online support groups. They can find them on social media, through your PTA, or online. This may include helping them find help or tutors for kids while they’re working.
Be ready to provide consistent communication outside of scheduled work hours to follow up with needs. You can create templates with directions or commonly asked questions to do this. Then set them on auto-reply for when you are not available. You can then follow up with these parents later when you have time. Try creating a Google Number so the parents can call/text whenever they need to or have a question. You can also send out emails weekly letting them know what the expectation was for the week or calling the first week with positives about their child.
2. Set yourself up, so you don’t have to repeat yourself (as much).
a) Set up refresher or introductions on How-To utilize learning platforms.
b) Create and provide a VISUAL routine to support parents with learning at home (try loom).
c) Provide communication via print and electronic means with school and classroom information as well as follow-up support. Some teachers created FB pages for their parents to keep them informed and do things like post pics for various things like wearing blue for world autism day, etc.
You can also create a remote Learning Guide for parents and students. It should have direct links and screenshots to help them navigate the tools you use. Use apps like TalkingPoints parent communication app for parents of ELL students. Then set up gift cards/prizes/thank you cards to the parents that use your system.
3. Save 30-50% of your lesson planning time with the LYS Classroom App (Available to Texas middle school teachers)
With the LYS classroom app, you can easily create supplemental lesson plan resources saving you valuable time; click here to find out more! The LYS Classroom app was designed with you in mind. The app saves you time so you can focus on what matters – your students! It includes The LYS Be, Know, Do methodology. The methodology is as follows: Being – Personal Values, Character, and Principles; Knowing – What resources are available and how to use them; Doing – Executing with Excellence. This means that each lesson offers rich character, life, and career skills streamlined into the lesson planning process.
Conclusion
You were made for teaching. Sometimes, all the other stuff gets in the way of you enjoying your calling. Being proactive to get parents involved early, Setting yourself up to minimize repeating yourself, and using the LYS Classroom App can help save time, energy, and headaches.
