Lower School

CHANGE YOUR ATTITUDE

1) Online classroom tools are not simply a novelty, but a necessity for a top-notch 21st century classroom.

I had already begun the year incorporating certain parent-teacherstudent communication platforms like Class Dojo. This made for a simple and effective way to get information to families, check attendance, and even provided a way for students to upload assignments into their own personal portfolio. Using Class Dojo made for a seamless and less overwhelming transition into online teaching.

Not only that, prior to the lockdown, my students had spent weeks in the classroom learning how to write, create, and record their own podcasts. They facilitated discussions, recorded summaries, and gave book reviews that were available at the touch of a button. Taking the time to teach my students how to excel in the digital domain while in the classroom, equipped them for what was to come. 2) Keeping students engaged online will require thinking outside of the box. In 5th grade, we study a unit focusing on Colonial America, so to help the unit come alive, I reached out to Mark Summers, Director of Public and Youth Programs at Historic Jamestown in Virginia. As the pandemic had closed many historic sites, he agreed to lead our students on a virtual field trip The coronavirus brought many unexpected changes this year. Mandated “attestations”, exasperated four-yearolds attending virtual classes with working parents doubling as teachers’ assistants, changing rules about masks and social distancing--the list goes on and on-and that’s without beginning to consider the unexpected loss of loved ones and toll of isolation. With each passing month, I am reminded of something Maya Angelou once said, “If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude.” Here are three things I learned in this year of change.

through Jamestown. Students learned about the history of the colony from multiple viewpoints, the importance of archeology and how artifacts help tell the true story of history.

On the heels of learning about the roots of slavery in America, and following the death of George Floyd, I connected with a Section parent known for his depth of knowledge and great connections. Together, we organized a forum featuring Rick Party, Sasha the Diva, and George Wilborn, current co-hosts of a syndicated national morning radio show, the RIck & Sasha Show. Students had the opportunity to discuss the treatment of African Americans in the United States, both past and present.

With every new unit, I challenged myself to find methods to keep our lessons interesting, but I also used our distance as an opportunity to cultivate fresh and unique online experiences. 3) Don’t let old expectations prevent you from seizing new opportunities.

Not only did our academic lessons have to change, but the extra curricular ones as well. Our Lower School theater group prepared for months memorizing lines, songs, and finding costumes only to be informed that our planned performance had to be canceled. To help curtail any future disappointments, theater has taken on a new face-focusing on expression, body language, hand gestures, and voice. Theater is normally a chance for students to practice English and develop social skills. Meeting virtually

has provided them with the opportunity to work on key skills to develop themselves as individual actors. This method has resulted in a collection of original and published monologues that showcase their talents. It is becoming more apparent that life will continue to change, move forward and surprise us. The question is, what will we do with these unknowns? We began the year seeking to “get through it” not realizing that it was an opportunity to dust off old feathers, change our attitudes and find new and exciting ways to do things. And amidst all of the chaos, what we have actually accomplished is better prepare our students for the future.

Tifany Champouillon, Lower School Teacher