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Living rooms have become classrooms and kitchens cafeterias as families across the state adapt to the new changes.
While families charge their computers and pick up packets, many classes are hands on and require more attention than a packet can hold.
Heather Chace teaches zoology, anatomy and physiology and chemistry at Stroud Public Schools. For those three classes, Chace is find
For those three classes, Chace is finding ways for students to perform experiments at home with common household items since all of her classes are hands on.
“It’s not the same, but that’s what we’re going to have to do,” she said.
Dissections were on the agenda for her students to perform this semester. Although they can’t dissect any animals at home, Chace prepared owl pellet packages for her Zoology students to perform when they get to the bird chapter.
“They’re so excited because they want to do something hands on at home,” she said.
The Anatomy and Physiology students were planning on dissecting a sheep brain after spring break, but instead they will be watching a video and taking a quiz.
“That part is not nearly as good as what I could do in the classroom, but it’s the best I’ve got right now,” she said.
A teachers’ job tends to be more than teaching students material on a specific topic, but also reaching out to students in times of uncertainty. Chace said many of her students are still working in essential jobs, whether that’s at a grocery store or a food service.
“I don’t know how many times I’ve had to tell my students just to breathe,” she said. She said many of her students who are working are
She said many of her students who are working are worried about what they may bring home to their families, making focusing on school work difficult.
“Those are some of the things they are living with and that is affecting the classroom,” she said.
While striving to regain some normalcy for her students, Chace reminds them that they are living history and that they will all get through it together.
“It’s one of those things that all of us are in,” she said. “Just uncharted territory.” Laura Watson, music teacher and choir director at
Laura Watson, music teacher and choir director at Chandler Public Schools, said throughout this process of the unknown, everyone has been very flexible, communicating well and finding solutions to problems that they weren’t aware of two weeks ago.
“Everybody’s been super positive, which I know this is a very stressful time, especially for families who have lots of kids at home,” she said. “I’ve been really happy with how positive and helpful
“I’ve been really happy with how positive and helpful everybody has been.”
Watson said when the news came in that they wouldn’t be headed back into the classrooms, the first thing the school did was hold a virtual meeting to begin planning the rest of the year.
“Obviously it’s not anybody’s ideal, but this is what we’re in and I think the school and the state are prioritizing everybody’s safety,” she said.
Although music and choir classes are hands on, Watson plans to use this opportunity to focus on music literacy.
Watson found this program that allows students to work on their sight reading.
The students will record themselves singing and send it in.
Watson said this program allows her to focus on each students voice individually.
“It’s something I definitely want to continue next year because it’s been so great,” she said. “I get to listen and self assess what they did very well at and what they can work on.”
Even though the students will be practicing at home, Watson plans on working on a new piece of music.
“As soon as we get the first opportunity to perform it, we will,” Watson said. “I’m really excited.”
Watson said this piece of music was written just for Chandler and she plans on dedicating it to the former choir director Mary Milburn.
Jackson Day, a first year ag teacher at Wellston Public Schools said his classes are not only hands on, but also formatted in a question-answer set up.
In order to adapt his class to distance learning, Day has assigned his classroom to write an essay over COVID-19 and how it’s impacting the agricultural industry.
“I think Wellston school staff is doing a great job dealing with this especially the cafeteria workers,” he said. “They have been passing meals out during this whole deal.”
Day said the spring time is the biggest time of year for ag students with multiple conventions planned.
He said although the Oklahoma Youth Expo is cancelled his students are still practicing and preparing for contests like speech contest, parliamentary procedure, milk quality and more.
Day said they are hoping of getting to participate in these contests, whether they be online or through the mail.
“It’s a learning curve for all of us,” Chace said. “For us teachers, when we first figured out this is how we were going to do this, with zero training, all of us were frustrated in just trying to get this started.”
Chace said through it all they are being patient and learning together, teachers and students.