District Secondary English Language Arts Teachers Embracing Technology for Creative Remote Lessons
Living through the coronavirus has forced educators and students inside and onto technology like never before, to creatively engage in discussions and collaborate on projects remotely. Secondary English language arts teachers throughout the Washington Township Public Schools continue to emerge with effective and innovative ways to connect with their students and to challenge and encourage them from afar.
“I honestly am so proud of my department and the lengths they are going to create meaningful learning activities while ensuring that all kids are maintaining skills and learning new material,” District ELA supervisor Melissa Barnett said. “They have used the technology to teach lessons and provide feedback and are having their students use flipgrid to give an update on the progress they're making with their projects. StudySync has been a great tool as well. We've created our own writing assignments with the journal prompts for Independent Reading. Our students can log-in to StudySync and complete the writing task after doing their 15 minutes of independent reading. It has been remarkable to see.”
Extraordinary examples of the remote ELA teacher-led learning include:
- Washington Township High School English teacher Abby Molotsky has used the technology to give her students choice and voice. She conferences daily with her students about their research assignments as they work on writing the conclusion to their research papers.
https://youtu.be/gyBNjvHXj94
- High School teacher Kevin MacNamara provided an instruction video to his students on how to use the “Turn It In” website to submit their writing projects.
https://youtu.be/8fUPpFJh2fU
- High School English teacher Shera Jahn used the technology engage and inspire her teachers while teaching Macbeth.
- Chestnut Ridge Middle School teacher Melanie Fortunato prepared a screen cast tutorial on the Powtoon website that her students are using for their third marking period independent treading novel project.
https://screencast-o-matic.com/watch/cYeYcEynna
- Orchard Valley Middle School ELA teacher Maddy Kubik and special education teacher Kelly Walz worked together for a discussion on argument writing.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WlAXzO7xiHI&feature=youtu.be
- Chestnut Ridge Middle School teacher Amanda Dacquisto presented a lesson with color-coded modeling on argumentative essay writing
https://screencast-o-matic.com/watch/cYev2H4Ilv
Bunker Hill Middle School teacher Patti Bernhardt has prepared videos to explain the weekly agenda, teach lessons and share encouraging words.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DpcBvuLws9g&feature=youtu.be
For teachers seeking a friendly face, an encouraging word or a chance to collaborate, Barnett runs daily Zoom meetings for her department. Teachers also are invited to step in and train their colleagues on something new.
“It's awesome that every day I have between five and 25 teachers pop in,” Barnett said. “Many have said they really rely on that daily check-in time just to feel connected and supported. Our teachers have become mini-experts overnight with digital platforms such as Nearpod, Screencast-o-matic, Flipgrid, Newsela, Schoology, Teams and Study Sync.
“Our students have not missed a beat since moving to remote learning, “ she continued. “My teachers are dedicating countless hours to ensure kids are still exercising their literacy skills. I could not be more proud of their dedication and relentless efforts.
And even on the days when technology just is not working in our favor, we always have a good book as an escape!”
WTHS ELA teacher Shera Jahn teaches Shakespeare’s Macbeth from her home
OVMS ELA teacher Maddy Kubik leads a discussion on argument writing.