My Virtual Classroom - So Many Channels

The other day I wrote a letter to our school board to let them know what's been happening in my classroom, I was trying to let them know that learning was still happening even on this distance learning journey. As I was writing about all the good that happens each day, I realized I should really write about this year over here as well, I really don't want to forget this crazy school year.  It has grown me like no other...

My district uses Microsoft Teams this year.  It was a learning curve, but I'm thankful that I kept with the idea to keep it simple. I have tried to translate what I'm used to doing in the classroom into a virtual routine.  I didn't want to recreate the entire wheel...

This is the channel view when I open up my team.  

I'm still using Color Teams as our weekly groups.  Every week I make new student groups over on Class Dojo, and then move the screenshot to a ppt with the names of the different colors.  That goes into the color team channels for the kids to know who to interact with each week. I want them to chat with different people.

We do a lot in color teams. It's like table groups and center stations all rolled into one.  I throw screen shots of task cards and articles in there and they respond underneath.  I can see their responses and know they are participating... even if their mics aren't working.  It's also a sometimes never-ending recess chat.  I do let them stay on and chat in our meeting during recess, but they are also sharing over there as well.  They give compliments to each other over there.  They don't have access to privately "chat" with each other using the actual chat feature, so this is where it's at.  I LOVE that I can monitor their talk - and then discipline if needed.  It's all there... During our class session they are only allowed to type in there if I give them something to work on - or if something isn't working they will write to give a heads up, a classmate will quickly see and then let me know.  The rest of the time I don't allow it - the basis that if the notifications pop up for me, then it must be distracting to others as well.  

I've also added (and then deleted) other group channels throughout the year.  We've had channels for Book Clubs, channels for creating our DARE songs, channels for these Causes of the American Revolution skits... I start meetings in them for specific groups to work on a task. They leave their notes in there as well. I'll tell about how Book Clubs, creating DARE songs, and these skits in other posts. It has worked so well.  

I also have private channels for each of my students.  Those are the best things EVER! Can't show you those, but it's been a way for me to privately talk to each of my students this year - like a constant text message.  I can send them reminders (aka. lots of nagging), they ask me questions, they respond to my exit tickets in there, and every week I meet with them in their private channels during an afternoon conference.  When the assignment tab isn't working for some, they turn in their work in there as well.  I love how the text becomes bold when there is a new message waiting for me.  It has worked marvelous this year!

When the hybrid schedule starts in a few weeks, I will have most of my class still logging in from home. We will have an A group on Monday and Thursday, a B group on Tuesday and Friday, and a constant distance learning C group.  If they aren't physically with me in class, they will be logging in to join us online.  I am so thankful that we already have gotten used to this online classroom as we will keep on using it to keep the kids interacting together.  I want to keep my class family together as much as possible. 

How are you keeping the groups interacting together online? I'd love to learn!

Back to School: Behavior and Motivation

Back to school means starting from the ground floor... again... It's a good thing for a refresh, but it's also draining as ever.  Let's just keep it real.  On the first or second day of school my class brainstorms this anchor chart.  We first talk about what we want our classroom to look like and what we want it to sound like.  They brainstorm in their groups, and then we share out and write it all down.  We look at all our brainstorms and it always boils down to respect... every year it always boils down to that one word.  Respect for yourself, respect for others, respect for our school...  So with that in mind, we write on this chart exactly what it means to Work Hard and Be Kind - practical, real-life examples.  

Then I tell them how I'm going to monitor their progress.  (Now most of these things I started back in fourth grade and moved it up with me.  When it's something that works, you don't change it... you just modify it to keep it the motivation fresh.)

Color Teams - it's our way to monitor group work.  Color teams are their table groups.  I have their color names on the board, and they can earn points for their team through teamwork, participation, etc.  It's a competition between the teams, and every week it resets.  "Winning" team(s) - because they can tie - win a prize on Friday afternoons.  It's something of my own choosing.  Maybe a reward card, or a piece of candy, or a new pencil... I mix it up.  

 Class Dojo is our independent motivation.  I have it set up with positive points (and some consequences as well).  The kids get reward cards when they reach certain milestones.  I log in first thing in the morning, and it's on a tab all day long.

For whole class motivation, I use Teacher vs. Student points on the corner of my board (similar to Whole Brain Teaching).  I've done it for years.  The ENTIRE class exceeding expectations and they get a point.  The moments that students as a group are not making good choices (could definitely improve) they start to spell out RECESS.  I used to just do a tally mark in 4th, but these 5th graders need to know their consequence.  In 6th grade they spell out ESSAY (5 letters), spelling our RECESS (6 letters) gives them more chances to turn it around.  What I've noticed over the years, is that if they have to serve it one time - just one time - then they never all want to lose it again.  Yep - ALL of them lose recess, they would have to stay inside with me and write me a letter of what they were doing to contribute to the letters, and what they promise to do in the future so it doesn't happen again.  Switching back to positive - the Student points add up to Fun Friday minutes - STEM time or a class game, an extra art project...  It's called motivation.

So, that's what I do in a nutshell.  Hope it helps someone.