KLEIN's
GUIDE TO
SCIENCE EDUCATION
PHOTO CREDIT: Nadene Klein at Tuolumne Meadows Yosemite National Park
We got the official word that my school will be returning to a hybrid in person learning format beginning on July 6th. My first reaction was super positive and super excited. I cannot wait to be back in the classroom with my students. We had a particularly unique transition to online learning in March in that our school had already been on our 3 week spring break and just didn't go back. We had no last day to prep students for online expectations. Remember that I teach a year round alternative high school serving at-risk youth. The plan is that 1/2 of the students will attend classes in the A.M. and then we will teach the same lesson to the second 1/2 of students in the P.M. We will have what would have been morning classes on Mondays and Wednesdays and what would have been afternoon classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Students will stay home on Friday for online learning. That equates to me teaching 3 lessons per class per week. As a science teacher, this arrangement is ideal for the classic Flipped Classroom. Here's a link to two presentations I compiled about flipping your classroom: Implementing a Flipped Classroom and Teaching Techniques for the Flipped Classroom. My second reaction morphed into concerned and caution. I saw this posted on social media (this is not made by me): I started to wonder about that. Is my dedication and enthusiasm and passion for teaching clouding my judgement about my own safety? If schools can be opening with our precious students, why are other things still closed? Why didn't the school board meet in person when there are less than 10 members? I continue to waffle between starting to plan and being excited to walk back into room #4 and checking statistics and truth about the spread of Coronavirus. Unlike many (not all) of my colleagues, I have another consideration. I have Multiple Sclerosis which is an autoimmune disease. I actually have an appointment with my neurologist tomorrow. It just so happens that it was scheduled 6 months ago for this day, one week before going back to school. You can bet that the risk to my health will be discussed at length. I might have a tough decision to make. Update: (6/29/20) My doc says that I am at no greater risk than anyone else to catch Coronavirus. However, if I were to get it, we'd have more to consider in my treatment. I'm confidently looking forward to being in Room #4 starting on Monday!!! Take time to listen to yourself and your feelings about going back to school. Be prepared to make tough decisions so that you can be your best healthy self. Scientifically yours, Nadene
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AuthorNadene Klein, M.Ed. has been an educator for over 25 years. She brings a passion and love for science to the classroom and through this blog to you. Archives
March 2024
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