Teaching Update with Covid 19 fears

It's been a tough couple of weeks trying to teach children when there has been real fear in the community regarding Coronavirus. It seems like everyone is holding their breath waiting for schools to close, or waiting for someone we know to get the virus, or waiting for whatever is meant to come next.

I have been guilty of 'waiting' too. On average, eight children from my class are absent each day. I feel myself 'holding off' on the fun learning so they don't miss out. However, it has given us time to catch up on topic and those things we never get around to finishing.

On reflection with my mentor, I will continue as per normal next week. Yes, it will be difficult when the absent children return, but I have provided them with home learning at the moment, so they won't be completely behind.

While these are uncertain times, we need to carry routine on as per normal so that children know that this is a safe place to be and their anxieties can be laid to rest.

I have changed what I am teaching to meet the needs of the children in my class. We are doing project base learning for our topic. This entails children to make a toy or a game. We will write instructions for our game and then make an advertising poster to try to sell it. As a teacher I am aware of group contact and are encouraging children to do projects alone.

Next week I will continue with the project base learning and will plan and teach as though the class is full.

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