WOO HOO! No more remote Wednesdays!
The in-school kids were sent home with old school work packets, and I emailed the remote learners one of the popular read alouds I posted last year on my YouTube channel as well as other educational videos. They will round out their day with Lexia Learning on their iPads. My plan is to do report cards today while I teach the sub (who will be one of my new grade partners in the fall) how to do report cards. All of these early dismissals are great, but I'm really behind on paperwork. I am praying that the administration leaves us alone today.
WOO HOO! Friday is the last day of remote teaching altogether!
Next Monday, remote learners turn in their iPads and pick up work packets and end of the year treats to keep them busy for the last week of school. Friday morning is field day, so tomorrow is my last full day of teaching a classroom full of children while simultaneously teaching remote learners at home.
This year was truly the year of multitasking and juggling while being totally flexible! I remember when I switched to Kindergarten. I physically moved across the hall to teach in-school and remote kindergartners, but my PreK replacement didn't start until 10 days later. So I had to teach a new grade in a cluttered, and frankly filthy, classroom with unruly students using my MacBook for the K remote students and my iPhone for the PreK remote students while my old Para handled the in-school PreK students with work I left them. Who does that? It took a long time to settle into the new room. When we went fully remote, it gave me hours and hours to clean, toss junk, and get the previous teacher to take her things as she dragged her feet. Last week, she finally came in and took the rest of her things! I feel much more competent than I did in October. I have learned A LOT. I still have more to learn, but any mistakes or regrets this year have taught me what NOT to do next year. My goal is to become a much better K teacher next year and become the leader of the four classroom team. I will bring developmentally appropriate practices into K next year and create a much more child-centered environment. For once, I'm actually excited about what the fall will bring. One year ago, I was considering early retirement.
Who knew that a grade change could be so energizing?