April "Vacation"

It's the Tuesday of school break, aka April "Vacation." Traditionally, many families travel to warmer places during this week off from school to visit family, friends and/or amusement parks. This year is different--very different--for most. There is no formal online teaching or learning for our students and teachers this week. Hopefully, we will all spend more time out in our yards and away from our screens. Travel to some places is restricted and it's too risky to be in large groups of people who may be sick and contagious. I can't imagine sitting on a crowded airplane right now. I have been spending most days alone in my house, feeling healthy and safe. I'm wondering how parents with school-age children at home are faring now. On the one hand, students do not have the structure of their online classes to tend to, while on the other hand, they have lots of free time to fill. They probably are not getting together with friends, cousins, or neighbors. Maybe those with pets are playing outside or going for walks in nearby woods or throughout their neighborhood. Maybe some are reading, writing or drawing just for fun. My husband and I had planned a trip to Sedona, Arizona this week, one of our favorite vacation destinations. It is a hiker's paradise--lots of trails to explore on those gorgeous red rocks, nearly perfect weather, and quaint shops and interesting historic places to visit. Oh, and did I mention the big swimming pool and hot tub where we like to relax after a busy day of hiking, shopping or sightseeing? My son is studying in Arizona, a few hours from Sedona, and we were planning a few brief visits with him. We wanted to meet his new friends, see his apartment, have dinner with him, and get a tour of his school, where he is spending lots of time and money. But, unfortunately, due to the coronavirus pandemic and our Governor's stay at home orders, we will not be taking a vacation this year. Like most everyone else I know, I'll be staying home and getting things done around the house and yard, talking on the phone with friends and family, reading and writing, and doing my best to be stay healthy! Like most everyone else, I'm also thankful for each passing day, which means we are getting through this together and getting closer to, hopefully, our life as we once knew it.

Like the Willow Tree

I finished reading a book last night titled, "Like the Willow Tree" by Lois Lowry, a Maine author. The book is set in Portland, Maine in 1918 during the Spanish influenza. Written in 2011, the similarities between the flu spreading in our world a century ago and the coronavirus pandemic today are worth noting. Lydia, an eleven year old, and her brother, Daniel, almost fifteen, are staying home with their family because their school is closed to help stop the spread of the disease. Since they could not fall back on remote instruction, teachers were put to work in hospitals, doing whatever needed to be done. Like today, people wore face masks when venturing out in public, hospitals were overwhelmed and health care workers risked their lives to care for the sick and dying. The story begins in a very lighthearted way, with the children playing and the family enjoying meals together during this time of quarantine. Lydia's dad worked in a store and was somewhat unconvinced that shutting down many businesses, public spaces, and churches was necessary. That is, until he comes home from work for lunch one day and doesn't feel well. By the next day, he, his wife and baby are all infected with the flu. The day after that, they have all died, leaving Lydia and Daniel orphaned. The doctors would not come to the home of a victim because this flu was so contagious, so many people all over the country and the world were dying. According to Lowry, in her historical notes, "there had been 675,000 deaths in the United States, much larger numbers than those who died in World War I. The actual worldwide mortality statistics are not known, but estimates range from 50 to 100 million deaths." The children stay with their aunt, uncle and cousins for a short time at their farm in Gray, but are soon taken in by the Shakers of Sabbathday Lake. Unfamiliar with the Shakers' religious philosophy and ways of life, the children have a difficult time learning to adapt. Although Daniel has a much more difficult time, both children eventually learn the Shakers' ways and feel loved, cared for, and included. I would highly recommend "Like the Willow Tree," a very timely, heartwarming book with a rich historical backdrop, well-researched by the author.

A Wet and Windy Walk

Our school is now beginning Week 5 of online instruction. It still doesn't seem quite real, but we've been told that we'll be staying home throughout the remainder of the school year. Online is how we'll be teaching and learning. We all fully realize that sitting behind a computer screen for too long is not healthy for any teacher or student. It's important to get up and move every half hour or so. I could tell by looking out the window that there was a steady, pelting rain. I could tell that it was very windy as well. On this rainy, windy day, I decided to take a walk outside anyway. I wore a fleece jacket as well as a rain jacket, gloves, and boots. I grabbed my umbrella and headed out the door. But, I guess I wasn't quite prepared for the strength of this wind or the amount of rain that was falling. It was a day that required both hands on the umbrella. Some wind gusts threatened to pull it right away. It was tugging--no, grabbing--the umbrella and trying to take me away with it. Then the wind would die down temporarily, and it morphed into a light breeze, and although wet, the weather felt quite comfortable. I even unzipped my raincoat. But, that didn't last long. The strong wind came back with great gusto. Regardless of the crazy weather, the fresh air and little bit of exercise felt good. It recharged my batteries, so to speak. I was able to go back in the house, change out of my rain-soaked jeans and socks, and prepare a healthy lunch. After lunch, I'll be meeting virtually with the staff of our school on Zoom. It takes the place of our bi-weekly staff meeting, so we have an agenda and a time limit. I think we all look forward to "seeing" each other on the screen, waving, smiling, and joining in on a professional conversation with other adults.

Self-Care

In the midst of the Corona Virus outbreak in our country, schools have closed and teachers are providing remote instruction to their students. We are being told to take care of ourselves, to be well. I’m doing my best to stay physically and mentally healthy. I feel fortunate to have a job where I can work from home. My online instruction keeps me very busy during my normal working hours and the new technology I am learning to use is exciting and helpful. The many resources that are available online could—and sometimes do-- fill many, many hours. But, sitting behind a screen for too long is certainly not healthy for mind or body. At other times of the day, I have found lots to do to fill my time. In my quiet house, it’s always conducive to reading and writing! I have stacks of books at the ready and they are calling me! My mind is filled with lots of thoughts and ideas waiting to be written down. I’ve cleared out some room and set up an old table in my basement so that I can keep my messy paints and brushes handy. An old hobby I’ve recently revived, painting is very relaxing and rewarding for me. Whether it’s painting on paper, canvas, or wood, whether it’s painting a scene that is whimsical, realistic, or classic, I tend to become so focused on what I’m trying to accomplish, that the problems of the world are set aside temporarily.

When my eyes and hands have had enough inside work or play, I grab my hat and jacket and venture out to walk in the fresh air. I often listen to interesting podcasts or lively music to accompany me, as there are few, if any, other walkers or runners in the neighborhood now. If I happen to see a neighbor out for a stroll with the dog, we simply wave and continue on our separate ways. It feels strange, but we all understand the need to protect our fragile health. Self-care is important to our overall wellbeing. What are you doing for yours? Now, in these extraordinary times, it’s wise to heed the sage advice to ‘take care!

Remote Instruction and Learning

We are all now in the midst of providing remote instruction to our students. Fortunately, our students are very familiar with lots of technology platforms, devices, and programs. They also are assigned their own laptop and, with permission from parents, can take their laptops home to use for educationally appropriate work. This past week, they have been logging in to check their teachers' emails and assignments. We have been available to them online if they have questions or need support. So far, so good. Of course, there are a few students who, for whatever reason, may need to have their assignments in hard copy format. That, too, has been provided for and delivered to them. It all seems so strange--working and learning from home, but I think that we are all discovering that this format can be effective and, with time, we can all succeed. There will be glitches and there may be some adjusting that needs to happen, but in the long run, we will have triumphantly salvaged the lost time from our classrooms, gyms, labs and libraries. Teachers are understandably overwhelmed, yet appreciative, of all the available resources being provided by just about any organization or company that is in any way affiliated with education or technology. The generosity of authors, teachers, bloggers, librarians and others has been mind-boggling. I'm awed at the amount of information and resources that are being shared for use with students while they remain at home to continue learning. Our students can be exposed to the best of the best. It is up to us to curate these timely treasures and to prioritize them. We know our students and our curriculum well enough to decide which lessons and activities to post to their list of assignments or alternative activities. When it is all said and done, I think we are going to appreciate each other and the work that has been done and will continue to be done to overcome any obstacles to student learning. We'll appreciate our disinfected classrooms and schools and, hopefully, will not take for granted the privilege of teaching and learning in a 21st century environment--whatever that may look like.

Book Club!

Yesterday was Book Club at our middle school! What a privilege it is to be facilitating questions and concerns about books from these young, avid readers. It's so rewarding for me to see students so excited about books. Our book club routine works like this. On the first Wednesday of every month during the school year, sixth, seventh and eighth grade students who love books meet together after school in the library. We usually all read the same book and we try to select a different genre to read each month. I agree to provide the books, the place, some healthy snacks, and often a related, fun activity. Students agree to read the book and participate in the discussion. We all agree to be respectful of each other's opinions and to keep an open mind. I love witnessing the exchange of ideas and perspectives that these students love to share. We begin our meeting with students telling about a book they are currently reading so that their peers can be exposed to a variety of books from our library. Students who have attended book club meetings for all three years have become good friends and know each other's book preferences. We discuss our current book while we eat and drink. Our snack is usually tied in to the book somehow. We all pay attention to any food that is significant to the story. That food is likely to show up on the snack table. Yesterday, a student baked and frosted a cake and brought it to celebrate her 14th birthday. The sweet butter cream frosting was a hit! By the end of the 90 minutes, students are eagerly anticipating the new book they will be given to read before next month's meeting. I give a fairly comprehensive introduction to the book and read aloud the first few pages to build motivation, then I send them on their way. We all look forward to our Book Club meetings!

Middle Schooler's Perspective

For today's post on The Teaching Voice of Mrs. Boyce, I've invited a seventh grade student, Lev Guirel, to share his thoughts on Middle School, in general. I hope you'll enjoy reading his remarks: Middle School is a place that is filled with drama, excitement and also stress. Middle School can be stressful sometimes because there can be times when there are tests, quizzes, and many more stressful activities, but don't forget it can also be very exciting. Sometimes you can enjoy spending time with your friends, having fun in classes, and doing interesting activities as groups or as a class. Middle School is also very often filled with drama. Lots of rumors could often spread, and Middle School is a place where kids spend a lot of time. That means that if some bad rumor spreads through the school, the child might get stressed and might have trouble learning. It is proven that when you are under stress, it is harder to study, and memorize and learn information. This means that school is not just a place where students learn, but its also a place where a lot of teenagers experience their first teenage years.