Managing an Online Classroom

Somehow I’ve survived four weeks of online learning. Now, I’ve completed thirteen weeks of online learning in the spring, but the workload is so much more this time around! It helps having set structures in place for my students, but also for myself. In the classroom, my classroom management is an area of strength and I wanted that to continue virtually. 

Synchronous Lessons

I use Google Slides that I present during our live whole class sessions on Google Meet. Not only does this help me with pacing while I’m teaching, but it helps my English Learners visually see instructions or materials needed. Prepping these slides can be very time consuming, but I finally found a system that gives me my weekends back! 

On Monday, I make the plans for the following week as well as the slides for the following Monday. If able, I also make the independent assignments for the following Monday. I continue that process on Tuesday. I try to continue that flow on Wednesday and Thursday, but it is more difficult due to meetings. Usually, on Fridays is when I prepare my slides and assignments for the following Wednesday through Friday. This system has been working for me, but I would like to work on being two weeks ahead as I get used to this new way of teaching. It brings me such joy to not spend my Saturdays and Sundays planning anymore because after the first week of school, I spent five hours prepping on my Saturday.

Also, my slides contain behavior instructions (CHAMPS and Expectations), ELA slides (that day’s story, Thinking Map, and RACE response), and Math slides (instructional routine and lesson).

Agenda Slides from A Trailblazing Teacher

Asynchronous Lessons

We are a Schoology district and that is where all in class and independent assignments are located. Students do some work “during class” and some work as “homework.” This time of distance learning holds students more accountable for completing their work.

I have a Google Sheet checklist that I use to mark off when students complete their work. Although the assignments should be completed daily, I still give students until Friday to give them credit for completion. This has been so helpful for keeping track of students who complete their work and students I need to talk to.

Communication

I use Remind to communicate all information to parents. They are probably tired of hearing from me by now, but I’d rather bombard them with information than not give them enough. I inform parents of student expectations, upcoming dates, what assignments are, and when students have not completed work.

I usually check for student completion the following morning before class starts (really working on only doing work during contract hours). I will message parents what work is missing and what assignment it is, usually I see these assignments submitted by the end of the day.

Written by Co-Author Madalyn Bradburn