November 16, 2020 at 11:47 a.m.
Teaching through a pandemic
Educators finding creative ways to present lessons
Teaching through a pandemic
By Stephanie Kuski-
While many have had to alter the format of their classes and extracurriculars - from hybrid schedules, smaller class sizes and using more virtual technology to wearing masks and social distancing - some of these changes have actually sparked exciting innovations.
When Pelican Elementary School went virtual from Oct. 26 through Nov. 6, physical education teacher Amanda Rezny had to get creative to find ways to actively engage her students online. Luckily, around the same time the school closed for in-person classes, Rezny said the Rhinelander Community Foundation (RCF) and Farmers Insurance donated backpacks filled with equipment students could use to stay active during the weeks of virtual learning.
"There's a variety of things in there to keep them engaged while we don't get to see them at school," Rezny said. "It's stuff the kids get to keep and so they were super excited about it. I am too, because I have equipment in their hands to create some pretty fun lessons with."
"Thank you to the Rhinelander Community Foundation and Farmers Insurance, because they completely funded the project and it's amazing," she added. "We're very lucky to have that at our school right now."
In addition to utilizing that equipment during the weeks Pelican was in virtual instruction mode, Rezny said she also pre-recorded videos with a similar structure as her typical classes, including a warm-up, skill work and fitness component.
When students are back in the classroom, Rezny said routines are important for them to understand what is expected when it comes to maintaining a social distance, wearing masks and frequently washing their hands.
She said some traditional PE games have been modified so students can keep their distance and she's marked spots on the floor as visual reminders to stay six feet away. On warm days, Rezny said she's gotten her students outside as much as possible to mitigate COVID concerns.
Danielle Raleigh, a third grade teacher at Pelican Elementary, pointed to the three W's all students and staff are required to follow since the school year began: Wash your hands, Wear your mask and Watch your distance.
"Wearing the mask and washing the hands have actually been really easy changes to make," Raleigh commented. "We've had some challenges as far as wearing the mask, just because we're getting used to it in the beginning of the year. But overall, the students do absolutely wonderful with wearing it throughout the day."
"The hard one is staying six feet apart," she continued. "We're social, we like to be by each other, so there are lots of reminders. We've also had to change some of the structures we use to teach."
In the past, Raleigh said she would encourage students to turn their desks to discuss their answers with a partner, but since that's not doable this year, due to social distancing, now she is asking students to write their responses on a white board to show to their partner while staying six feet away. Raleigh said she has also been working with the chromebooks more frequently this year so her students are comfortable and confident when navigating the switch from in-person to virtual learning.
"Last year, virtual learning came as a surprise; I don't think anyone was quite prepared for it," she said. "This year from the start, I know my team and I have worked together to make sure we were ready for when it happened."
Raleigh said she's impressed with her third-grade students' ability to take these changes in stride. Although some don't enjoy wearing a mask all day or may have difficulty staying six feet apart at all times, she said most still maintain a positive attitude and understand these expectations are universal throughout the school district.
"Overall, I think everyone who is in-person is happy to be back," Raleigh said. "I know the students have really expressed that they are glad to be back and they enjoy coming to school."
Since some students have opted to go fully virtual for the school year, both Raleigh and Rezny said the smaller class size also fosters a tight-knit relationship between students and teachers, another potential silver lining this school year has presented despite some initial challenges.
At Rhinelander High School, band teacher Jacob Kulba also noted smaller class sizes: He said he typically sees anywhere from 30 to 60 kids in the band room at any given time, but this year, it's capped at 16 students for spacing reasons.
Kulba said each musician and their instrument must also wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to mitigate potential spread of the virus.
"All of the instruments have a cover that goes over the end of it that catches any particles that come out of the end," he explained, "and then all of the kids have masks they have to wear that have a slit in them."
Kulba cited a University of Colorado study published this July which found that without PPE on the instruments, aerosols were dispersed in the air around a three foot radius. With PPE, aerosols typically traveled no less than a foot.
He said students have also been practicing outside as much as possible. But with the winter months around the corner, there's still plenty of opportunity for creative problem solving.
"There are lots of really neat tools out there," Kulba noted. "Different companies have different things where music is on the computer, and you can play along and record."
When students are practicing virtually, Kulba said they use a program which allows students to record their individual parts at home on the computer so he can combine those recordings to play together, creating something like a virtual band practice.
Although these virtual options are engaging alternatives for students given the resources and circumstances, Kulba noted only 60% of his band students are meeting expectations when it comes to completing work regularly on time this year.
Since band is the type of class students usually just show up to and don't take a lot of work home, he said completing online work can be a challenge for students who haven't yet harnessed sufficient time management skills.
The performance aspect of band classes has also changed due to pandemic-related concerns.
The pep band did perform for the homecoming game in addition to a few other home football games, but Kulba said the band will not be performing at the upcoming basketball games since spacing indoors is still a concern.
For that reason, Kulba also noted the vocal and instrumental holiday concerts typically held in December will not take place this year. Instead, he said the hope is to host a virtual concert where video of the students performing is streamed live.
COVID concerns have also hampered the RHS drama department's ability to perform in front of a seated audience.
Co-directors Kristin Higgins and Roddy MacMillan noted the performance of "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" initially scheduled for November has been tentatively pushed back to January. The duo said that decision was made based on the guidance of the local health department and school district.
Although the musical has been postponed, the drama students are still rehearsing at a social distance while wearing their masks.
Higgins and MacMillan opted for a dual cast with two students for every role to ensure the performance can still go on even if students are missing due to illness. The duo also restructured the cast so there are less people on stage at any given time, going from a crew of roughly 75 to 22.
Since a few drama students have opted to go fully virtual, the co-directors had to get creative to engage virtual participation as well.
They said the plan is for one student who is fully remote to actually record their part at home and project their video onto the theatre stage for the live performance.
Although teachers are doing what they can to get creative, Higgins - also an eighth grade teacher at James Williams Middle School - noted the changes can be challenging.
When students were in school five days per week, Higgins said she had more opportunities to work with her students one-on-one to ensure their assignments were completed on time. But with the hybrid schedule, she only sees her students twice per week in person plus two days on Zoom if students show up to the virtual meetings.
She noted many of these frustrations are universal throughout the district, however. Since teachers are continuing to navigate this uncharted territory, she said they are doing what they can to engage students both in-person and online.
"We're all just trying to do the best we can and just help kids, because they need way more than just academics," Higgins commented. "We're just trying to be flexible and there for them, but we're all in the same boat."
When asked what the community can do to support teachers and students, nearly all noted that patience, understanding and kindness goes a long way during times of uncertainty.
Stephanie Kuski may be reached at [email protected]
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