I can’t believe I just finished twenty days of distance learning, plus five days of a spring break. When I think about this, it takes my breath away. Thinking back to the last days I had my kids in class I realize just how much I miss my kids! Yes, I have my own kids and we are having a lot of quality time together, but I have an empty spot in my heart. I am a teacher! I don’t know if I chose that profession or if it chose me. So many times, I hear people say, “I don’t know how you do it!” I always think to myself, I’m so lucky that I get to do what I love every day! Yes, there are times I count down to my years to retirement. Don’t get me wrong. I don’t have the picture-perfect classroom tied in a neat little bow but I do have a classroom, where it’s safe and okay to make mistakes. Never the same day twice; it’s perfect for me! 
Distance learning is its own adventure! As a teacher author and seller on TPT, I haven’t had a creative thought unless it’s been tied completely to my current situation. Seeing my kids online every day, having them longing to talk with their friends, has completely overwhelmed me. It makes me rethink daily how I teach and how students are being educated during these uncertain times.
In the last twenty days, I have had on the job training!! After the first week, I recognized that I needed to set up some expectations and an agenda for our class Zoom meetings. This has definitely helped maintain structure and productivity but everyday something else comes up! I tried to do a read aloud because I have seen other teachers doing it!! I thought that was a great idea!! Wrong! Not for my class! I started out reading with 18 students, I looked up after it was over and half of my class was gone!! Well, mark that out of my lesson plans for the rest of the week’s Zooms. My students have AMI packets and we are supplementing with optional materials and Zoom meetings. So, I need to make learning fun, but with a purpose!
Click here to check out some templates! Just add your own Bitmoji!
Distance Learning Making it Fun
Credits for Fonts and Clipart
Things I have tried:
Scavenger Hunts
3 in a row scavenger hunt
Outside scavenger hunts
Kahoo after watching a Crashing Course science video together
Things I’m going to try:
Dress up days
Small groups
I hope some of these ideas will help you in your virtual classroom!! Remember we are in this together! I would love to hear what is working for you!!
Also, if you haven’t registered for STEM Con 2020 Now is the time!!! Click this link to check it out! 
