My goal is to be a resource to you with monthly tips that support you and your students within an ever-changing, diverse classroom.

Education Service Center Region 11| ESSA Team Lead

Email: myocom@esc11.net
Website: https://www.esc11.net/Page/719#calendar13881/20200304/month
Phone: 817-740-7563
Twitter: @myocomesc11

Many of us are starting the year remotely. Although we all experienced the spring shutdown, some of us are now faced with the expectations of a virtual classroom.

We've been on a roller coaster for the past six months, and have now approached the drop-off point. For some it will be thrilling to teach online, and for others it will be terribly scary.

Below are some considerations and resources. There is no magic solution. It will be trial and error. Don't be too hard on yourself.

• Start small and keep it simple.
• Create a class hub to provide consistent communication to parents and students.
• Instructions should be easy to find, explicit, and provided verbally and in written form.
• Have a backup plan for tech support during after-school hours.
• Model how to use the digital tools for students.
• Most importantly, use the first few days or weeks to build relationships.

We are being bombarded with so many digital tools that it can become overwhelming. Keep it simple. Start with one or two. As you feel more confident, add on.

Below is a list of some of my picks and their purpose. Remember, start small.

• Texthelp https://www.texthelp.com/en-us/products/free-for-teachers/
• TalkingPoints - Reach all your students' families in their home language https://talkingpts.org/
• Read, Write, Speak https://thinkalong.org
• Make Beliefs Comix https://www.makebeliefscomix.com/
  
• Digital Tool https://www.tes.com/lessons
  
• Digital Tool https://padlet.com
• Promote listening & speaking https://flipgrid.com/
  
• Create class lists, activities, assignments, and assessments https://www.vocabulary.com
• Classroom Screen https://classroomscreen.com/
• Interactive classroom in real time https://www.classkick.com
  
• K-5 Reading Student Centers http://www.fcrr.org/resources/resources_sca.html
• Free Content Power Points & Interactive activities http://www.pppst.com/
• Transform lessons to make learning impactful and engaging, or allow students to create animated products to show mastery https://www.powtoon.com/edu-home/
• Current event articles to promote critical reading, writing, and speaking http://wordgen.serpmedia.org/
  
• English Learner Teacher Support http://www.colorincolorado.org/
  
• Writing Guru Gretchen Bernabei http://trailofbreadcrumbs.net/
  
• Free reading passages & literacy resources https://www.commonlit.org/
  
• 2,000+ multidisciplinary wonders https://wonderopolis.org/
  
• Free reading passages by lexile level and content https://www.readworks.org/
  
• Lead4ward.com http://lead4ward.com/resources/
  

I am not perfect, so if you see errors or find broken links, please give me grace.

LB 08.12.20