Well... if this doesn't sum up my life right now I'm not sure what does :) hahaha
Back-to-school is usually one of favorite times of the year. The excitement, the anticipation, the clean classroom and fresh planner. Getting to know my new students, seeing my previous students after a summer away... I love all of it. This year I feel like I'm a hot mess of emotions... I'm SO EXCITED to see my students and get back in my classroom but I'm also nervous about how everything's going to go. I'm so happy to be teaching Honors Algebra again but I'm feeling totally overwhelmed at the thought of having to teach both online and in-person classes. I take a lot of pride in my job and want to do it well and there are just so many unknowns.
I never ever imagined that heading into my 15th year in the classroom I'd be completely revamping almost everything I do in light of a pandemic but here we are and if I've learned anything by teaching as long as I have it's to roll with the punches and that sometimes the best changes and most learning comes out of necessity. So here we go!
After a quarter of distance learning I learned that students LOVED having the lessons on video. When I asked for parent and student feedback overwhelmingly they appreciated the ability to have the lecture and notes available whenever they needed them - whether it was to rewatch an example before starting the assignment or review a concept before an assessment - essentially having the teacher "at home" with them was a huge benefit.
So when I was trying to figure out how I was going to teach 3 different subjects both in-person and on-line while keeping in mind that "in -person" students may be out for extended periods of time due to illness and trying to streamline everything in the process to not create double work for myself I decided to change my classroom from a traditional to a flipped model.
I first learned about teachers flipping their classrooms during an AP Training class I took several summers ago and this graphic is the best (and simplest) way I've seen to explain what a flipped classroom entails...
Generally, my 45-minute class period would look something like this...
5 minutes - Intro
attendance, announcements, etc.
10 minutes - Homework/Review
answering homework questions and review of the previous days lesson
grading their own papers if there's enough time after questions/review
20 minutes - Lesson/lecture/notes
this is where I would pass out a notes page, teach the lesson, call them to the board to do examples
10 minutes - Quick activity or homework
Depending on how long the lesson took students would use the remainder of the period to either work on a collaborative activity (QR code scavenger hunt, task cards, etc.) or get a start on their homework assignment for the day.
Homework
The amount of time they'd spend on homework at home would depend on how long the lecture/guided practice took, how well they used their time, how well they understood the concept, etc.
If I had a student out for illness or travel - I'd email them a filled-in copy of the notes, a blank copy of the homework and then get together with them for tutoring when they returned to campus.
Here's how I'm planning on my class looking this year...
5 minutes - Intro
attendance, announcements, etc.
10 minutes - Check for understanding
This will be the time that I check to make sure that they filled out the previous nights notes that went along with the lecture video, I'll have some review questions/problems on the board or on paper as a quick quiz and I'll review any concepts/questions that students have
30 minutes - Guided Practice
What used to be completed at home they'll now work on in class - and I'll be there to answer questions. This may look like a "normal" homework page or be a collaborative/interactive assignment. This will just depend on how collaboratively I'm able to have them work with distancing guidelines, etc.
Homework
Students homework will be to watch a lesson video and fill out the corresponding notes page. This shouldn't take any longer than 15 minutes.
In this scenario I'll be able to provide the exact same instruction to my in-person and virtual students. Students learning at home will watch the same video and complete the same assignments (they'll submit them via PDF on Google Classroom). If a student has to be out for any reason their transition to online learning should be pretty much seamless since they'll continue to receive the lecture/lesson at home just as they were doing normally, the difference is that their guided practice assignments will be completed at home instead of in the classroom.
I know that it's going to be a TON of work this year - prepping videos is NO JOKE and I'll be recording, editing and sharing 12-15 per week (3 classes, 5 days) but once I have the videos done they'll be done forever and I know they'll be a great resource for students and parents.
Well, that was quite the brain dump! I wanted to share my plan in case you're a teacher in the same boat that I am and I was also hoping to solicit feedback from any of y'all who run your classroom in this same "flipped" style as I'm planning. If you're not a teacher and made it this far BLESS YOU!!!
Teacher, not-a teacher, student, parent, whatever... the bottom line is that this year school year is going to be a challenge. BUT... I'm hoping that we come out of it stronger and smarter.
HAPPY Tuesday, friends!!!
I'm a teacher in NY. I'm feeling the same way. I'm going into to year 21 and I don't even know where to begin. I think as teachers we rely so much on routine. It's unsettling when the routine is pulled out from under us. Add to it that my school is going back 100% capacity in person and my kids' school is going to a hybrid model - 2 days in school, 3 days home. So adding in teaching my own kids and child care, it's all very overwhelming! Thank you for sharing this idea. You've given me a lot to think about! This will be a challenging school year for sure!
ReplyDeleteOh my word! I can't even imagine how stressful that is to have to manage childcare, teaching, etc. So thankful that we're all on one campus! Praying for you as you start the school year!
DeleteI love this!!! Have a great year!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Sam!
DeleteI’m planning on the exact same set up! My school offered a P.D. for us this summer focused on hyperdocs, and it was life changing! Basically, you design your class for student led, self-paced learning. I’ll be relying heavily on this and the flipped classroom method, too!
ReplyDeleteOoooh! Looking into that! Thanks so much!
DeleteThank you for your hard work for your students! This year is going to be tough for everyone and unfortunately, the grace train seems to be slowing down. Hang in there!
ReplyDeleteIt'll be a year we don't forget - that's for sure! Thanks for your encouragement, Sara!
DeleteI love, love, love this idea as a parent. I would appreciate the video being available at all times especially with the older kiddo's subjects.
ReplyDeleteI love hearing that! Trying to eliminate as much stress for everybody involved!
DeleteYou're AMAZING and your kids are so incredibly lucky to have you as a teacher. So proud of you and how you are willing to continually adapt for your kids! xoxo
ReplyDeleteThanks, friend!!! And thanks for always being there and allowing me to be open, honest and vent my frustrations. So thankful for you!
DeleteI am not a teacher but, as a parent, I honestly think this sounds like a dream. For kids who can attend in person, they're getting the help they need from the teacher (who knows what they're doing) and all the kids, whether in person or virtually, are getting the same teaching explanation.
ReplyDeleteSo glad to hear your perspective! Trying to make things feel equitable and ensure everyone gets the best possible instruction is a challenge!
DeleteThe Schools and Teachers are scrambling here...I see the roller coaster the teachers are on.....bless you! I’m setting my 7th grade son and 9th grade daughter up for dedicated virtual school areas. In their rooms...too many distractions, so I’m opting for dining room and kitchen. Do you have any ideas for good space ideas? I read no spinning chairs (I wouldn’t have thought of that!). Anything else that Mommas may not think of? I would love a blog on ideas....space set ups... Xoxoxo.
ReplyDeleteI think a lot of it just depends on your kids and their personalities. I've heard that having their work space out of their bedroom/personal space can put them in more of a "work mode"... so like a dedicated space in your dining room for school where their room is still a bit of a retreat.
DeleteAndrea I love your plan! God bless you and all the other teachers who are working so hard during these crazy times! Your students are blessed to have you as their teacher!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, JoEllen!
DeleteOur schools in NYC are permitted to use Khan Academy videos. The math teachers set up slides in google classroom with links to a Khan Academy video explaining the lesson.
ReplyDeleteThat's awesome! I prefer creating my own videos that I can tailor to match my curriculum and objectives but I love using Khan Academy as supplemental material. That's awesome for those teachers!
DeleteAs a mom to a rising 6th grader, I LOVE this post. Gives me a whole lot of hope in the middle of all the anxiety about the upcoming year. THANK YOU for working so hard for your students and families and then for sharing it with the rest of us. As someone with a teaching background (but not currently in the classroom), I appreciate this greatly. Wonderful perspective and spin on the traditional.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Erin! I think EVERYONE is anxious over all of this and I'm so hopeful that by Fall we'll all be feeling much more comfortable and settled!
DeleteMy son's math teacher taught this way last year (all year, not because of covid). She provided several links on why this is the best way to teach, at least for math. So maybe you will love it and it will be a good thing that comes from all of this! :-)
ReplyDeleteI'm hoping so! We'll see!
DeleteIf anyone can do this it is you friend!! You are a great mom and teacher, but man, I am praying for you!! I am just a parent...and this feels so overwhelming to me. I can NOT imagine being a parent and a teacher!! Praying for all educators and students!!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Laci!
DeleteI love this set up. I have been a home school momma for almost 16 years and my last one is starting her last year. My heart hurts for all the changes for teachers, children and parents.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on ALMOST crossing the finish line! What an amazing accomplishment!
DeleteTeacher, God Bless and keep YOU.��
ReplyDeleteAs a parent at a school that "flips" math starting in sixth grade, I can tell you how much your students and parents will appreciate this new system. Just warn the particularly clever students (or really, their parents) that watching the videos at 1.5x speed to get through it faster doesn't actually help them learn as well. WishIwerekidding.
ReplyDeleteSo funny!!! Great tip - thank you!
DeleteI don't know a single thing about teaching nor do I have kids, but your game plan sounds great! Your students and their parents are lucky to have you!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Taylor!
DeleteOur gifted math and science teacher at our elementary school has taught this method as long as he's been at our school. My daughter had him for 4th and 5th and my son just finished 4th with him. This system is really the best. He's able to really push the gifted kids and fit in so much more than a regular classroom. (Think amazing science experiments because the kids already know the info from the lesson they did the night before.) And I have to say, when other parents at other schools complained that their kids weren't learning as much or being challenged, I knew my son was because the system transitioned so well when we abruptly went to digital only. We still desperately missed the in class time with other students, and the fun activities, but I knew the actual learning didn't take a hit at all. And just as an added encouragement, this teacher's system has worked so well he's won national awards and finished in the top ten for the entire state, for teacher of the year. I know he puts in a lot of work, but it makes an incredible difference.
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing teacher! I know that there will be some kinks to work out but I'm really hopeful that this goes over just as well as it sounds like your kids teachers system has!
DeleteThat sounds like a wonderful plan!
ReplyDeleteThank you!!!
DeleteHey Andrea! I had a college professor who taught accounting this way, and it was AMAZING! Definitely need to really have students pay attention to the at home lecture videos and TRY to absorb the information (not just watch it and look at their phones haha) and I think your notes page will help with this!
ReplyDeleteWhen we worked in class, we did problems in pods of 3-4, and we kept with those groups throughout the year. I really liked this setup!
Also, once you have the videos filmed, hopefully you can reuse them year after year!
Good luck, I’ve been out of college 4 years now and that was one of my most memorable “learning experiences.”
Yes yes and YES! I think students will catch on pretty quickly that they really need to focus during the lesson at home to be prepared the next day but I'm sure there will be a bit of a learning curve for everyone!
DeleteHey Andrea! I had a college professor who taught accounting this way, and it was AMAZING! Definitely need to really have students pay attention to the at home lecture videos and TRY to absorb the information (not just watch it and look at their phones haha) and I think your notes page will help with this!
ReplyDeleteWhen we worked in class, we did problems in pods of 3-4, and we kept with those groups throughout the year. I really liked this setup!
Also, once you have the videos filmed, hopefully you can reuse them year after year!
Good luck, I’ve been out of college 4 years now and that was one of my most memorable “learning experiences.”
Bless all of you teachers, students and parents. I am sharing this post with teacher friends. Maybe it can help. I know they are feeling overwhelmed as well.
ReplyDeleteHang in there...I feel for teachers...it is going to be a wild ride this year!
ReplyDeleteI love this idea. Can you tell me more about how you made your videos? This is the part I am struggling with.
ReplyDeleteI used my phone to record myself working through the notes and then edited them using iMovie and uploaded them to my teacher YouTube channel.
DeleteOverwhelmed seems to be a common emotion among teachers!! I plan on using hyperdocs and Flipgrid videos in my classroom. Hoping the combination of the two will help eliminate having to create two different lessons for the face to face and virtual students.
ReplyDeleteI really want to do this but many of our kids don’t have internet capabilities. Our online students will be using Apex and we will have teachers that will monitor them.
ReplyDeleteBless your sweet heart. Teachers have so much planning and homework to do under the best of circumstances. And now that everything is upside down, it's like everyone's first year of teaching all over again. Know you are not alone. And that your 15 years of experience will see you through. Thank you for all the hard work you are doing now to make the lives of your students easier.
ReplyDeleteI am a 6th grade math teacher in Illinois and I think I am going to do a flipped classroom. It is overwhelming at this point but I know it will work best since I will have some e learning. Where do you post your videos and what platform do you use?
ReplyDelete