How teachers are using Nearpod for classroom routines for in-person and virtual teaching
Classroom routines are at the heart of every classroom. During one of Nearpod’s weekly Twitter chats, teachers came together to share how they’re using Nearpod for classroom routines for virtual and in-person teaching. Check out their responses below!
1. Why are classroom routines important now more than ever?
Students NEED routines. There have been too many traumatic events occurring that are out of their control.
— Melissa Sawetch ✨dream~inspire~educate✨ (@edtech_fanatic) August 20, 2020
Routines = structure = control of their learning
They may have been without this since March and we need to be aware of that! #NearpodChat
A1: routines matter because they encourage our kids (and teachers!) to reset and prioritize self care, build boundaries, co-create and build the world they want while we have the opportunity to make change. #NearpodChat
— Cait O’Connor (@JustTeachingELA) August 20, 2020
A1: Routines help with a sense of normalcy right now. They’ll also help Ts and Ss have a much smoother time this year no matter if you’re virtual, hybrid, or f2f #nearpodchat
— Jessica Clawson (@_MrsClawson_) August 20, 2020
A1: Classroom routines are very important now. The students need stability and structure would give them that. This will also make it easier when and if we return.
— Nicole Fisher (@FisherZarxy) August 20, 2020
2. What classroom management routines will you introduce?
A2: 📆 Consider #MindfulMondays with Nearpod’s SEL FREE check-ins or Flocab’s #SEL lessons!
— Amber Calderon (@PeppyZestyTeach) August 20, 2020
💌 Start your days with a Collaborate board so that all students can feel heard at the beginning of a lesson!
This is so important, especially during #remotelearning!#NearpodChat pic.twitter.com/NENDrk2xuS
A2 ➡️ I will be focusing on #SEL check-ins and making sure students & families can know how to contact me. We will focus on attendance expectations and using #executivefunctions to succeed from home. Clear expectations that are modeled and scaffolded will be needed. #nearpodchat
— Melissa Sawetch ✨dream~inspire~educate✨ (@edtech_fanatic) August 20, 2020
A2: I’ll be playing their favorite songs (thanks @superherobarbie!) and have a countdown timer showing at the beginning of class to show them how much time before we start. It’s gonna be fun and focusing! #nearpodchat
— Jessica Clawson (@_MrsClawson_) August 20, 2020
A2) I plan to intro Zoom main room, breakout room, chat box routines as well as how to find the weekly schedule of online and offline tasks for the week.
— Marilyn McAlister (@MarilynEDU) August 20, 2020
I want Ss say “hi” and “bye” at the beginning and end of class.#NearpodChat https://t.co/vSeDfbIKlZ
3. What routines during will you begin using?
A3: Check out these skill-based practice lessons that strengthen students understanding foundational ELA, Math, Science, & Social Studies topics!
— Amber Calderon (@PeppyZestyTeach) August 20, 2020
⭐ https://t.co/12yQ9G0yq8
These are great for review moments or additional practice opportunities!#NearpodChat pic.twitter.com/2LE6DaRpFC
A3: In the spring for each topic, we had must do, pick one, and choice board options. It was consistent while still providing choice. After the first module, students didn’t complain about not knowing what to do. We are trying to replicate or do something similar #nearpodchat
— Lisa Whiston (@SrtaLisa) August 20, 2020
A3: Constant review & amendment and discussion of our classroom culture checklist and community agreements, to solidify our expectations of one another and our work. I will also start having students do responses to each other rather than submit work in isolation! #NearpodChat
— Cait O’Connor (@JustTeachingELA) August 20, 2020
A3) When I think about @Nearpod and academics, I plan to intro the math with a video (with checks for understanding), practice w/whiteboards, show what they know on a draw it, then poll the class with how they feel about their understanding level. #NearpodChat https://t.co/k3CreaFTZo
— Marilyn McAlister (@MarilynEDU) August 20, 2020
4. How can we incorporate SEL through class routines?
A4: Build quick, #SEL-infused activities into your regular routine! These are ready-to-teach FREE mini check-ins that require no prep work from you! #NearpodChat
— Amber Calderon (@PeppyZestyTeach) August 20, 2020
🤩 https://t.co/pK7CeOr07R pic.twitter.com/A7srHaf9OB
A4 ➡️ focus on mindfulness, check-in with students multiple times a day, check-in with families at least once a week, provide collaborative learning opportunities, use @opencircle lessons for learning interpersonal skills, nearpod lessons for all of the above! #nearpodchat
— Melissa Sawetch ✨dream~inspire~educate✨ (@edtech_fanatic) August 20, 2020
A4: Conversation while we wait for the class to start, bellringers, and virtual transitions between activities can all have SEL built in! #nearpodchat
— Jessica Clawson (@_MrsClawson_) August 20, 2020
A4: I always give free chat at the beginning of class for my students to chat with friends about anything #nearpodchat
— Emily (@sattlercyber) August 20, 2020
A4: Focus on making sure students are comfortable each day when they log in, give opportunities for check ins, and take time for a morning meeting. #NearpodChat
— Brandon Roby (@MrRoby815) August 20, 2020
We definitely need to make sure those students who rarely talk or share are engaged and contributing to our class so they feel like they belong. #nearpodchat Jobs can help provide that support at the beginning of the year when they may be more reluctant than normal to share!
— Melissa Sawetch ✨dream~inspire~educate✨ (@edtech_fanatic) August 20, 2020
A4: prioritize compassion over compliance, be willing to negotiate, amend, and lead with love above. It is possible to lead with love while thinking critically, especially when it comes to encouraging students to dismantle, reconstruct the world and make it better. #NearpodChat
— Cait O’Connor (@JustTeachingELA) August 20, 2020
5. How can Nearpod or Flocabulary’s features & lessons support classroom routines?
A5: The reports on Nearpod are awesome when emailing with students and parents about grades, it is easy to respond with tangible evidence of participation. There is normally a correlation #nearpodchat
— Lisa Whiston (@SrtaLisa) August 20, 2020
Using the ⏲️ on draw it for kids to write letters/numbers for PM is amazing! And using the record audio on OEQ to get fluency checks. Such a time saver!
— Emily (@sattlercyber) August 20, 2020
A) For me, I think the participation percent feature will help w/S accountability. I plan to show Ss the reports (w/out names) so they can see the data that is generated. We will be reporting attendance and participation. #NearpodChat https://t.co/YpF8E8CRhp
— Marilyn McAlister (@MarilynEDU) August 20, 2020
A5: Nearpod and Flocabulary can be used to create interactive and engaging elements in a lesson. #NearpodChat
— Nicole Fisher (@FisherZarxy) August 20, 2020
A5: Incorporating games and engagement activities at certain points can be a transition of topics or an exit ticket. These can indicate to Ss what’s happening next or complete the lesson #nearpodchat
— Jessica Clawson (@_MrsClawson_) August 20, 2020
Not to familiar with flocabulary, but @nearpod has great built-in features for needed brain breaks or energizers.
— Chinyelu Okoye (@CoachOkoye) August 20, 2020
6. What advice would you give somebody struggling with technology & class routines?
A6: I created a @nearpod with procedures and routines for my class. Then, whenever I got a new student, that was the first thing that they did! (I get new students about once a week at my cyber school) #nearpodchat
— Emily (@sattlercyber) August 20, 2020
A6 ➡️ First and foremost we must be #empathetic during these times. Especially with the use of technology to avoid frustrated Ss & parents. My biggest advice for Ss: “Breathe. You can’t break it!” They always feel a little better when reassured they can’t mess it up! #nearpodchat
— Melissa Sawetch ✨dream~inspire~educate✨ (@edtech_fanatic) August 20, 2020
Stay positive , pedagogy is the driver and technology the accelerator , you already master pedagogical practices as an Educator so using tech will just accelerate it so definitely you can handle it .
— famida choudhary (@famidachoudhar1) August 20, 2020
A6: Go slow!! You don’t have to incorporate everything all at once. Create routines with the tech you know, then add in others as extras to support the lesson #nearpodchat
— Jessica Clawson (@_MrsClawson_) August 20, 2020
I tell them to start small. Just try to plan one activity online. They can gradually progress to a lesson plan and a unit plan. Eventually, they have the whole course. They should be ready for mistakes and have a backup plan for when things don’t go their way.
— Linda Wright (@lkwright1464) August 20, 2020
Just like you give your students extra slack when they are first learning something, cut yourself some slack when learning how to navigate new technology.
— Maria (@ss6teacher) August 20, 2020
Want to participate in the next #NearpodChat?
Interested in attending the next #NearpodChat but unsure how? Read this post to learn how to join in on the conversation next Wednesday at 8pm ET!
Want more information and free lessons about classroom routines?
Click the images below to read more about classroom routines!
Nearpod’s award-winning platform is used by thousands of schools around the globe, transforming classroom engagement.
