For most of us expanding our teaching practices into virtual teaching or distance learning is a fairly new thing. We are on a steep learning curve as we work to do what is best for our students. It’s kind of like the first year of teaching . . . again! Today I am excited to share some of the things I have learned on this journey. Here are 5 ways to use PDFs digitally in the virtual classroom.
One of the most frustrating things about distance learning or remote learning is feeling like all the amazing lessons and resources you have accumulated over the years cannot be used. But don’t fret yet – there are ways to use your pdfs and Teachers Pay Teachers resources for distance learning with the TpT digital tool. All you need is a Google Classroom account to assign the activity.
The year 2020 will go down as the year that education changed! We might have been forced into the changes by COVID-19 but I’m not sure that we will ever go back to “the way things used to be.” I believe that the increased use of technology in education is here to stay. I’ve put together a list of 25 of the most useful resources for remote learning (aka distance learning, virtual learning, home learning – you know what I mean)! But these resources can also be used in the classroom with technology integration.
The morning is one of the most hectic times of the day in the classroom. There’s attendance to take, lunch choices to make, bags to unpack and homework to stack. There are people moving in different directions and greetings and questions that occupy your time. If you’re teaching virtually, there are daily check-ins to complete, the daily agenda to share, and assignments to submit. So why not create a morning routine that allows the classroom (or virtual classroom) to run itself during this busy time. Morning meeting slides are a classroom management #teacherhack that can help you start your day the right way.
With the sudden increase of digital activities and assignments, student feedback and grading of work can lose the personal element. Students turn in an assignment digitally, teacher checks, records grade . . . next. It’s all pretty mechanical. But just because the work has gone digital doesn’t mean that we have to lose all the personal and sometimes fun feedback and encouragement students receive from the teacher. Enter Digital Stickers! I’m so excited to teach you how to use digital stickers so you can add a personal touch to your digital grading. Keep reading, because I have some free digital stickers for you to try at the end!
If you have been a teacher for longer than 1 day then you already know the importance of having good communication with parents. Add to that distance learning and the stress of a pandemic and the need for solid parent-teacher communication is vital. Here are some ideas for stellar parent communication during distance learning (but you can really use them any time)!
Whether you have been thrown into distance learning because of a worldwide emergency like the coronavirus, your school is transitioning to a 1:1 format or whether you have chosen to educate your children through homeschooling, these distance learning tips and resources will make your job easier!
When I was growing up my least favorite subject in school was spelling. Each week we had a new spelling list of 10 words, and each week we had to write each word 5 times and use it in a sentence. It seemed to be the same spelling activities, year after year. I wasn’t a bad speller, but I just couldn’t make myself get excited or even a little happy to sit down and write my words A.G.A.I.N.
Growth mindset in the classroom? It’s a game-changer, trust me. If you’ve been around education for the last few years, you’ve likely heard “growth mindset” more than once. That’s because teachers everywhere are adjusting their classrooms to cultivate a growth mindset environment. It is a powerful tool that can potentially transform students’ futures positively.
Task Cards are a great classroom activity loved by students and teachers alike. Most commonly used as a center activity, task cards are a wonderful way for students to practice a skill or concept on their own. But . . . there are many other ways to use task cards in the classroom. Today I am excited to share with you 5 new ways to use task cards in the classroom.
The four words no teacher wants to hear: “I’m done! Now what?” I don’t know about you, but those words make me shudder and I can feel the stress rise at the utterance of them. Why? Well, I want my students engaged and learning during class time. If they have finished our assignment, then they are taskless. And . . . I know that many students are still working. I want these students to have the time they need to thoughtfully complete the activity in an environment that is conducive to learning. And so there it is – the balancing act of early finishers.
Bitmojis are so much fun to use in the classroom! Students can easily relate to them, and personalizing your whimsical avatar with emotions adds a fun effect. Choose a hair color, eye color, facial features, clothing, accessories, and more! Bitmoji will create a huge library of wacky stickers that you can use with your students. Use them to create posters, fun messages, feedback stickers for student work, digital story telling, presentations, comics, and so much more! Find out how to use them in the classroom!
Is the end of the year getting you down? I know…it’s overwhelming. There’s so much to do. From end of grade testing to finishing report cards to updating each individual student’s permanent records – the end of the school year leaves us drained every.single.day. With over 18 years in the classroom, I’ve managed to come up with an end-of-year checklist to make life a little easier. This checklist includes a little bit of everything. If you’re like me you’re swamped with so much to do that you don’t even want to think about next year. This checklist will help you keep your sanity and hopefully make the beginning of a new school year much easier!
End of year awards doesn’t have to be stressful. If you’re looking for awards and certificates for your students that are super quick and easy to print – then you’ve come to the right place! It’s not always easy to find the “PERFECT” award for every student. Sometimes teachers have to search and search to find a “just-right” award for their students. Well, search no more! I have over 194 Editable End-of-Year Award Certificates to choose from.
I’m Kim, the founder of A Love of Teaching. My ultimate goal is to empower teachers to reclaim their afternoons and weekends, all while feeling confident in their role as educators. I’m passionate about inspiring teachers with fresh ideas and providing them with time-saving materials.ย
I’m happy you’re here!
COPYRIGHT ยฉ 2024. Kim Miller.
