Party Time in the Zoom Room
The end of the school year is near(ish).
As you start to think about the month of May and end of the year festivities that usually happen your heart is heavy.
May/June is about celebrating!
It’s when we cross the finish line.
It’s when we hug each student before we send them to the next grade.
(Of course with a pinky promise that they will visit)
It’s when we do one last wave as the buses depart for summer vacation.
Will it feel like closure?
Will this school year feel over? Finished?
These questions flood my brain in the middle of the night.
I’m not certain of the answers, however I do know that we will figure it out.
Just like we did Mid-March when we suddenly all became online educators.
Each classroom will celebrate, and whatever you choose to do it will be PERFECT!
It will be what is just right for your students, your classroom, your school.
If you meet with your class on Zoom, I wanted to share some simple ways you can continue to nurture your classroom community while teaching online and finish the year STRONG!
Virtual Greetings
I don’t know about you, but one of my favorite things to do at the beginning of the school day is to stand outside my door and greet each student.
It is such a fun way to start the day and personally interact with each student.
There are numerous things I miss about the classroom during distance learning, but this by far is one of the things I miss the most!
Just like we have adapted our teaching for distance learning, why not adapt our greetings too…
Each morning as you welcome students into your Zoom Room choose a greeting to do with them.
Or once everyone is inside the room and you are on grid view (where you can see everyone’s smiling face) have everyone do a morning greeting to each other.
It’s a great way to get started with your lesson.
Click HERE to access my Morning Greetings (with a Virtual Version)
Dance Party
When I found out my school building was officially closed, my heart was heavy!
That news was hard to swallow.
I knew if I was feeling this, I was sure my kiddos were too.
I emailed them and invited them to an impromptu dance party that night. My hope was to show my face and let them know I was there for them, while also having a little fun together.
I put Kidz Bop on my phone and we danced to a few songs together.
It was great! (I can’t wait to do it again soon!)
Another idea I want to try is to share my screen and play a GoNoodle.
We love to wiggle during the day at school, why not wiggle during our lesson in the Zoom Room?!
Ice Cream Social
Set up a time for your class to meet outside of your normal learning lesson and just enjoy each other’s company.
Have them bring a treat and chat together informally.
If you are afraid it might be too chaotic with the whole class, randomly put them into groups and host smaller sessions.
Perhaps schedule a group each week.
Books at Bedtime
Invite your students to a story before bedtime.
Have them wear their comfy pajamas (you do the same) and read a story together before bed.
Click HERE to grab this FREE Books at Bedtime invitation to send to your families.
Show and Share
Designate a day during your Zoom lesson for students to bring something to share.
Randomly call names and allow each student to share their item.
- When it is a student’s turn to share hover over their video square and right click.
- Click pin video
- Their square will stay in one place so everyone can see what they are sharing.
End of the Year Spirit Week
I LOVE the ABC Countdowns that I always see at the end of the school year, but I have found that 26 days is a LONG time for Kindergarten students to celebrate.
For the past few years we have condensed our countdown to the last five days of school and it has worked out well!
To celebrate a great year in Kindergarten and the transition to First Grade we use the word “FIRST” and on each day we do a spirit day
When we are in school we usually do…
- Favorite Board Game (bring your favorite board game to play)
- Indoor Recess (extra indoor recess)
- Read in your Pajamas (Kindergarten PJ Day)
- Send a note to First Grade (write a letter to a first grade teacher)
- Treat Day (Popsicle day)
Since we will not be at school this year to celebrate I created a virtual version to use with my families.
Virtual Version:
- Furry Friend (bring a stuffed animal to our Zoom Lesson)
- Internet Game (play a game online together)
- Read in our Pajamas (wear your PJs during our Zoom Lesson)
- Show and Share (show and tell during our Zoom Lesson)
- Treat Day (eat a treat during our lesson)
There is also a SUMMER version in case FIRST doesn’t work for your class.
Click HERE to access this FREE End of the Year Spirit Week Letter.
I know this year is different and it’s hard!
I hope I gave you some fun ideas and ways to connect and nurture your classroom community during distance learning.
Keep up the great work.
At the end of the day each and every one of your students know you CARE and LOVE them.
You are doing awesome! Don’t forget that.
Also, know that we all have the same question running in our head, “Are we doing enough?!”
The simple fact that you are asking that questions shows that you ARE!
We got this, one day at a time.
We will finish the year strong and continue to nurture our classroom communities.
If you plan to use any of these ideas let me know, I’d love to hear how your class liked them.
Take Care,
