Week of April 27 - May 1
🙏Prayers and Spiritual Guidance
For Peace in Anxiety during the Coronavirus Pandemic
Loving God, we come to you full of anxiety about what may happen in the coming days and weeks. Shower us with the peace Jesus promised to his disciples, and make us into steady pillars for those around us. In this time of uncertainty and epidemic, wake us up to the reminder that we are not alone.
Even as we are asked to keep our distance from others, help us to find ways to reach out to those who need our support. We pray especially for those whose incomes and livelihoods are threatened. For the children who will miss meals due to school closures. For those already isolated, lonely and scared. Loving God, give them your peace, and through our hands ensure they have what they need.
Sustain, strengthen and protect all caregivers. Bless them as they offer compassionate care and show selfless courage in the face of risk.
Remind us, each time we wash our hands, that in our baptism you call us to let go of our fears and live in joy, peace, and hope. Amen.
🎦Tribute video to Healthcare Workers - "You Raise Me Up" by Josh Groban
Catholic Education Week
"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." (Romans 15:13)
Catholic schools across Ontario will be celebrating Catholic Education Week from Sunday, May 3rd to Friday, May 8th.
This year's theme is Igniting Hope. Hope is what we all need to hold on to during these difficult and troubling times of this pandemic and the uncertainties that it brings.
This week is a special one for Catholic students and educators because it allows us to reflect on the importance of faith and the role it plays in education.
The sub-themes for each day include:
- MONDAY: Our Hope in Christ
- TUESDAY: The Hope Within Us
- WEDNESDAY: The Hope Among Us
- THURSDAY: Hope for the World
- FRIDAY: A Future Full of Hope
Virtual Mass
His Eminence, Thomas Cardinal Collins will be celebrating the Catholic Education Week Mass on Wednesday, May 6, 2020 at 10 a.m. Everyone is invited to participate "virtually" in this celebration of the Eucharist by clicking on the following link: https://www.stmichaelscathedral.com/live.
Social Media Campaign
During this week let us share our messages of hope with others online. Using Twitter or Instagram, post your messages of home using the hashtags #CEW2020, #IgnitingHope, or #STR_IgnitingHope.
Here are some questions you can reflect on when thinking of what to share in your posts:
- How have you ignited hope for others?
- How have others been "messengers of hope" for you when you needed them?
- Where do we see hope alive in our community and country today?
Resources
Next week, I will provide prayers and reflections for each sub-theme of CEW 2020. However, here are some resources in advance of next week, if you'd like to use them to prepare for CEW:
- Web Resources for CEW 2020
- Movie List for CEW 2020 (available on Criterion on Demand)
Join us in Praying the Rosary
On Friday, we begin the month of May. In this month, we honour and celebrate Mary, the Mother of God.
In honour of Mary, join us in praying the rosary every Friday at 10 a.m., this month. Our Google Meet nickname is str-rosary.
If you are unable to join, but would like to express special intentions for our prayers, please email me.
Daily Reflections
These daily reflections are a great way to start your day. Feel free to share them with your students on your class VLE.
Monday, April 27 - “Breath of Heaven” CARFLEO
Tuesday, April 28 - “A Deer’s Cry” CARFLEO
Wednesday, April 29 - I Go WIth You Tim Timmons
Thursday, April 30 - I Am The Bread of Life
Friday, May 1 - “We Are Called” CARFLEO
Thank you to Rob Lothian for creating the following Check-In Google Form that you can use with your students. When you click on the link provided, you will be prompted to make a copy of the form, so that you are the owner and you will be the only one to receive the responses. Feel free to edit it as you see fit.
Here is another resource I found that may be helpful: Student Daily Check-In Using Google Forms. This resource also shows you how to do conditional formatting in Google Sheets so you can highlight certain responses from students. This is pretty cool and worth checking out!
In an article by Edutopia titled, Focusing on Student Well-Being in Times of Crisis, it states that student 'check-in's allow for teachers to gain insight about student safety concerns, feedback, and traumas. It suggests first asking students about something positive about their day, and then inquiring about their mental state. It is a good idea to use multiple choice answers to help students feel less intimidated about completing the check-in. Provide choices such as "I'm great," "I'm okay," "I'm struggling," or "I'm having a hard time and would like a check-in."
You can also ask your tech questions in our online chat using Google Hangouts.
Just click HERE to access the STR Tech Support group chat.
📚Library Resources
Many of us have quickly come to realize how time-consuming full-time online teaching really is. It is safe to say that we are all exhausted from information overload, now more than ever. Some of the simplest tasks that we could easily accomplish in class, take a bit more effort from us to communicate and create online.
Here are 4 lessons about distance learning outlined in this article by another teacher:
1. Relying on a Team Reduces Work and Stress: Collaborating with colleagues during this time can definitely lighten the load. Team Teaching is a concept that has been around for some time, however, it has taken a whole new meaning during this time of distance learning. In any way possible, share resources and support colleagues teaching the same subject or course.
2. Connecting with Students Boosts Morale: Remember our vocation to this profession. "It's isn't about the curriculum, the assessment, or the tech; it's about the students. Seeing the students in real time and listening to their stories, questions, and concerns helps remind us of that."
3. Learning New Technology Isn't So Bad: Think about how much you've learned about educational technology since the school closures to ensure your students continue learning. Be proud of your accomplishments.
4. Model Being a LifeLong Learner: Transitioning to online learning has been stressful, but you've adapted to meet the challenge. You have shown your students that even when you are settled in your profession, the learning never stops. We never know when we will be asked to learn something new.
During this difficult and stressful time, here is the silver lining that you should hold on to:
Source: A. Wiggins. "A Brave New World: A Teacher's Take on Surviving Distance Learning." Educational Leadership. April 2020
Mindful Moment
Monday, April 27 - “Breath of Heaven” CARFLEO
Tuesday, April 28 - “A Deer’s Cry” CARFLEO
Wednesday, April 29 - I Go WIth You Tim Timmons
Thursday, April 30 - I Am The Bread of Life
Friday, May 1 - “We Are Called” CARFLEO
Prayer to St. Joseph the Worker (Feast Day - May 1st)
Here are the Weekly Prayers for Week 4 of Distant Learning.
💻EdTech Support and Resources
Daily Check-in with Students, using Google Forms
Earlier this week, Sara DiFede inquired about a Google Form that would allow her to do a quick check-in with her students to see where they are at and how they are feeling. I thought this was a great idea! Doing a daily, weekly, or monthly check-in with students in your class is a great way to assess how they are coping, both academically and mentally.
Thank you to Rob Lothian for creating the following Check-In Google Form that you can use with your students. When you click on the link provided, you will be prompted to make a copy of the form, so that you are the owner and you will be the only one to receive the responses. Feel free to edit it as you see fit. Here is another resource I found that may be helpful: Student Daily Check-In Using Google Forms. This resource also shows you how to do conditional formatting in Google Sheets so you can highlight certain responses from students. This is pretty cool and worth checking out!
In an article by Edutopia titled, Focusing on Student Well-Being in Times of Crisis, it states that student 'check-in's allow for teachers to gain insight about student safety concerns, feedback, and traumas. It suggests first asking students about something positive about their day, and then inquiring about their mental state. It is a good idea to use multiple choice answers to help students feel less intimidated about completing the check-in. Provide choices such as "I'm great," "I'm okay," "I'm struggling," or "I'm having a hard time and would like a check-in."
4 New Features being added to Google Meet
Thanks to Jeanne Buckley for sharing this latest update from Library Subject Council. Google Meet has recently rolled out 4 new features, with the promise of more to come.
- Tiled layout for larger calls - upto 16 people at once
- The ability to present a "Chrome Tab" in addition to the current features of presenting "A Window" or "Entire Screen"
- Low-light mode - adjusts your video to make you more visible depending on lighting
- Noise cancellation - ability to intelligently filter out background distractions.
How to give mark updates confidentially in Google Classroom. Click HERE.
How to create a Google Hangouts Chat with your Class. Click HERE.
Do you have a tech question? Jeanne Buckley and Lisa Loffredi are available every Thursday to assist you.
You can also ask your tech questions in our online chat using Google Hangouts.
Just click HERE to access the STR Tech Support group chat.
📚Library Resources
A ST. ROBERT TEACHER SUPPORT SITE HAS BEEN CREATED FOR YOU. IT WILL BE UPDATED FREQUENTLY. ACCESS THE ST. ROBERT LIBRARY WEBSITE FOR MORE RESOURCES.
InfoBase has many new subject-specific databases that you and your students can use. See the selection when you log in to any InfoBase product on the library databases page.
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| Username and password: ycdsbhs |
A new ebook database has been added. MackinVia has over 5000 eBooks at the high school level (fiction and nonfiction).
Additionally, through the MackinVia platform, you can link to a free trial for Lightbox (just click on the tab for databases on the left). Lightbox is a database of enhanced eBooks (with multi-media and supplementary resources). Use the filters at the top to find resources for the appropriate grade and subject (Literature, Social Studies, Science).
Free trial until July.
🧠Staff Wellness
A Brave New World: A Teacher's Take on Surviving Distance Learning
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| Source: Brene Brown/Dare to Teach |
Here are 4 lessons about distance learning outlined in this article by another teacher:
1. Relying on a Team Reduces Work and Stress: Collaborating with colleagues during this time can definitely lighten the load. Team Teaching is a concept that has been around for some time, however, it has taken a whole new meaning during this time of distance learning. In any way possible, share resources and support colleagues teaching the same subject or course.
2. Connecting with Students Boosts Morale: Remember our vocation to this profession. "It's isn't about the curriculum, the assessment, or the tech; it's about the students. Seeing the students in real time and listening to their stories, questions, and concerns helps remind us of that."
3. Learning New Technology Isn't So Bad: Think about how much you've learned about educational technology since the school closures to ensure your students continue learning. Be proud of your accomplishments.
4. Model Being a LifeLong Learner: Transitioning to online learning has been stressful, but you've adapted to meet the challenge. You have shown your students that even when you are settled in your profession, the learning never stops. We never know when we will be asked to learn something new.
During this difficult and stressful time, here is the silver lining that you should hold on to:
"You are already a stronger, nimbler, more adaptable teacher today than you were a few weeks ago." - Alexis Wiggins
Mindful Moment
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| Source: www.mindful.org |
How to give marks confidentially is very useful; saves a lot of time! Thanks.
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