The other day, I came across a quote by Victor Hugo that summarized my Covid-19 school year: "The future has several names. For the weak, it is impossible; for the fainthearted, it is unknown; but for the valiant, it is ideal."
Like many other teachers across the nation, I had no idea what was to come for the 2020-2021 school year. I did know, however, that after a six month hiatus, I was more than ready to return back to what I have loved doing for the past twenty years. I knew challenges await (like not having a school calendar approved before the school year, not knowing our exact teaching courses until the week before...) but through challenges come opportunity. For me, that meant having to do things I have been wanting to do but never took the time to figure out.
Economics is a subject that is consistent yet always changing. I do not think anyone can say economics is not important considering this past year's ridiculous toilet paper shortage (that should have never happened) or the furloughs families endured. Any subject, though, can become dull and boring if change does not occur. That was me a few years ago. I was stuck after teaching Economics for over ten years (side note: for five years, I taught 12 sections per year...that is 60 times in just five years). I was stuck in making it fun. I was stuck in making it relevant. No matter how hard I tried, I was bored...the kids were bored. In a nutshell, I was miserable. The "dismal science" was truly becoming dismal! I even thought maybe a career change was needed. I got my media specialist certification in hopes of an elementary librarian position opening up but now thankful the Lord kept that door closed and this door opened. This is where I am called to be for this very moment!
You may be asking what challenges do we face this new school year. First, there are new guidelines that we are asked to follow to protect the students and ourselves. No group work...minimum moving around the classroom (none if possible)...no sharing supplies...minimum papers/worksheets if "doable" (for the ones I need to pass out, I go desk to desk so the students can take their own...a little more time consuming than the past). I have a filing cabinet full of group activities that are laminated. I have spent years (as many teachers) focusing on collaboration activities, all which are of no use now. I have not even asked if my students can go outside to draw graphs with chalk, a highlight to many of my students.
This semester, I have three traditional (face to face) Economics classes, two Virtual Learning Economics (teaching students across the four school zones in my district) and one AP Microeconomics. As of now, I am barely able to keep one step ahead. It seems as if my entire planning block is spent updating all three Canvas courses. I am having to do school work at home which I rarely have done since my oldest was born nearly fourteen years ago. I spend countless hours researching online interactive activities that comply with Canvas. I am having to see myself online, though TEAMS, which I absolutely hate (but getting used to). But through all these challenges, I have found new ways to teach this "dismal science." Yes, it has only been a week with all my students (after a "soft start") but a week I would deem as a success. So what has changed in this short amount of time...
1) Group discussions...yes, we can talk as a class but have you had to engage in a discussion with a senior wearing a mask? Yea...not easy. Thankful that we all are having issues with that one. This past week, I tried GROUP DISCUSSIONS through Canvas. It isn't the most ideal way to engage but one where students are able to discuss solutions to the proposed problem. This has particularly been great for my Virtual classes. Students, although at home, can participate in discussions with students across the district. What I also like about this is that all students have to participate in the group discussion - even the introverts who usually get lost in face to face group settings.
2) Poll Everywhere - I love this site!!!! Although I have used a few times in the past, I spent some time this week examining how I can use it more in my classes. Today, after the students worked in their "groups" and chose a solution to the problem, one student went to the designated website to type their chosen solution. This is a great way to engage students without having them come to the board to right down their thoughts. Also, if you have never used this site, it is great in assessing students. The multiple choice game breaks down each question by the percent of students (what percent chose each question). This enables you to assess what the students know and what they don't know. This is also a great site to use if you wanted to survey students without exposing their names and opinions.
3) Edpuzzle - nearly every Bellringer (for all three classes) is an Edpuzzle which consists of a review of the previous day's content. Economics is everywhere...in every book, in every movie, in every tv show. I love finding clips from funny or engaging shows to apply the economics concept.
4) Flippity - I discovered this website earlier this week. I was needing something that would allow students to match concepts online since we couldn't share my laminated activities (it seems that students learn the factors that shift curves better when they have to categorize it themselves...tactile learning). Although we did not have time in class to do the review game (like Jeopardy), I did create one just in case we had time in class. Since each lesson is linked to a google doc, it is really easy to create and not time consuming at all.
I have no clue what the next few weeks or months hold but I do know that after twenty years of teaching and being stuck in a rut, this pandemic has forced me to make the changes I needed to engage all students...yes, even my virtual students.
“I hope that in this year to come, you make mistakes. Because if you are making mistakes, then you are making new things, trying new things, learning, living, pushing yourself, changing yourself, changing your world. You’re doing things you’ve never done before, and more importantly, you’re doing something.” Neil Gailman
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