Opportunities through challenges:
The spring of 2020 has created unique challenges and opportunities as prevailing circumstances have taken shape in our world. While we may not be able to be together in our schools and classrooms, there are still ways to connect, learn, grow and reflect! AWSL will dedicate this page to resources you can utilize as we navigate through these uncharted waters together. “We’re all in this together…..”
AWSL grants educators in schools permission to utilize all materials and activities for the specific use of educating students in public, private and tribal schools. AWSL does not grant permission to consultant-based educators to utilize AWSL Materials and activities for their own businesses and non-profit organizations without written permission from the Executive Director of the Association of Washington Student Leaders.
Virtual Team Building
Check out these virtual team building activities.
Shoebox Parade (Montana State University)
The homecoming parade has become an annual tradition of MSU’s Homecoming Week. Students, alumni, faculty and staff, community members and visitors from around the country gather on main street in downtown Bozeman to show their school spirit, cheer on the Spirit of the West Marching Band, watch their favorite floats drive by, support local businesses and get amped for the big game. For the health and safety of our community, the in person parade isn't happening, but to keep the tradition alive, the Montana State University Alumni Foundation is hosting a virtual Shoebox Parade.
21 Social Distance-Friendly and Virtual Icebreakers Students Will Actually Have Fun With (via Bored Teachers)
Many kids are entering classrooms more nervous and apprehensive than ever before. The 2020/2021 school year is scary for most of us – students, teachers, and parents alike. Everyone is returning to learning after a traumatic six months of learning to live in a pandemic. There are still so many uncertainties and unknowns. Building a school community is going to be extra important this year. Here are some suggestions for virtual ice breakers and in-person getting to know you activities to help build connection no matter what your classroom looks like this year.
A 4-Part System for Getting to Know Your Students
Building solid relationships with your students is arguably the most important thing you can do to be an effective teacher. It helps you build trust so students take academic risks, allows you to better differentiate for individual needs, and prevents the kinds of power struggles often found in poorly managed classrooms.
JOSTEN’s RENAiSSANCE Virtual Conference 2020 Resources:
Culture, Identity, and Staff Morale - Video OnDemand Library
How to Teach and Lead Remotely - Video OnDemand Library
Character, SEL and Student Motivation - Video OnDemand Library
Leadership and Equity - Video OnDemand Library
101+ Virtual Tours of Popular Tourist Attractions Around the World (2020)
Do canceled travel plans have you stuck at home wishing you were anywhere else? We all know how that feels, but luckily, we have a solution. You can still satisfy your wanderlust by exploring famous sights — from your couch!
We’ve put together a list of 101 virtual tours from over 35 countries around the world so that you can explore without having to catch a flight or spend a dime! We’ve organized this gigantic list by country so you can easily navigate to your country of choice… or simply work your way down the list and digitally travel all over the globe.
Grab a snack and get ready to explore!
Search Institute
Search Institute is a nonprofit charitable corporation dedicated to helping All young people gain what they need to thrive. Their mission is partner with organizations to conduct and apply research that promotes positive youth development and advances equity.
For Families: Digital Check ins to Keep Connected
These 30-minute virtual check-in sessions are designed to bring together groups of six to eight parenting adults for mutual support and learning while also providing them with resources to enhance family time and family relationships in the home.The Developmental Relationship Framework: Developmental relationships are the roots of young people’s success. Search has identified five elements—expressed in 20 specific actions—that make relationships powerful in young people’s lives.
For Schools: The Developmental Assets Profile-Social-Emotional Assessment
Measure young people’s social-emotional skills with the research-based Developmental Assets Profile.
Mental Health First-Aid: Tips to Help Teens Cope During Covid-19
When our world changes quickly and suddenly because of things like COVID-19, it is common to experience changes in our thoughts, feelings and behaviors. Feelings of anxiety, fear or worry are typical in stressful situations.
Eight Fun Student Engagement Ideas During COVID-19 and Beyond
The COVID-19 pandemic has drastically affected the way educators across the world instruct, support, encourage, and relate to their students. We know this will continue until at least the end of the school year, and plans are being discussed for online learning through the summer and start of the fall in many communities across the nation. Recently, I shared three major student issues that have arisen since the middle of March: the lack of access to counselor and mentoring, increased isolation, and a potential rise in cyberbullying. To follow that up, Justin detailed specific suggestions for how families can manage increased screen time during this unprecedented time.
Today, I want to share how some school communities across the United States have embraced social media to stay in touch with their members. In this way, the school/community climate is still being positively impacted, youth feel like they are being remembered and celebrated, and everyone can stay connected in meaningful ways with each other. Justin and I encourage educators to consider these ideas if you haven’t already. I think we can agree that it’s worth the investment since it will contribute to higher morale, belongingness, civility, kindness, and so many more of the other goals we strive to achieve.
Every Monday Matters
IT STARTS WITH YOU! We have been creating and offering Social and Emotional Learning lessons for a decade to over 2 million students nationwide. Our program has been embraced and used teachers, educators, administrators, and staff during the school day and during Expanded Learning programs after school.
12 Ways to connect with kids and prioritize relationships while teaching remotely
During emergency distance learning, look for small, simple ways you can center kids’ physical and mental well-being, which will, in turn, be energizing and uplifting for you, as well.
I’ve collected 12 types of ideas from members of the 40 Hour Teacher Workweek Club to give you some insight into how other K-12 teachers from around the world are facing the challenges of teaching remotely in crisis.
Regardless of how much (or how little) contact with your students you’re able to have, and how much (or how little) academic instruction is happening, these ideas can help you prioritize relationships with your students and stay connected.
Online Learning: Managing Behavior and Learning
We recently reached out to our contacts at online schools including Washington Virtual Academies and K12, Inc. They know that teaching students in an online environment presents challenges and are graciously sharing lots of resources with us.
Nate Davis, CEO and Chairman of the Board of Directors, K12 Inc. released a statement on March 20 that said in part:
“For public school districts, as well as charter, private and religious schools now facing uncertainty for the remainder of this school year, K12 is offering a menu of options to support technical and capacity needs. We are also offering free resources for families at home with their children during the school year, as well as for those looking for virtual education options over the summer.”
Here are two online learning opportunities that you and your teachers can take advantage of right now:
Another fantastic resource is from the Center on PBIS titled Creating a PBIS Behavior Teaching Matrix for Remote Instruction
Special thanks to Summer Shelton, Washington Virtual Academies Head of Schools, for sharing a great resource page and seven recorded webinars on leading and managing virtual learning. Look for more resources soon – and if you have any to share with others, let us know!
Random Acts of Kindness | Resources
We need to distance ourselves, but that doesn’t mean we can’t help each other. During difficult times, we often see the most beautiful acts of kindness. If you’re home and looking for things to do to keep busy, scroll down for a list of resources to help! We will get through this sooner if we take care of ourselves and each other (without risking contagion). Kindness is a powerful tool. Let’s use it.
Kent Julian | E+R=0
I shared this content with hundreds of business leaders last week, and their response has been so strong, I wanted to share it with you as well because, as you know, many of your students are thinking about their futures right now.
Therefore, use the webpage below however you'd like. Forward it to your members. Share it on Facebook. Pass it along to the educator groups with whom you're connected.
One final word. Please notice that I'm not selling anything. In fact, we purposely removed the "store" menu from the website for the time being. My goal is to simply share this powerful mindset change with as many people as possible in a time when it's needed most.
Educational Hall Online - Free Course for Adults
A FREE online "course" to help educators manage the stress, anxiety, & worry accompanying our current health crisis. Feeling overwhelmed? Empathy & self-care can help us find strength. Yes, it's FREE.
Leadership Resources for Times of Crisis
The global outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19) is creating significant challenges for leaders at all levels and organizations of all sizes. At CCL, we are working closely with our clients, partners, and colleagues to monitor the virus and prioritize safety for all concerned. Here are answers to common questions we’re receiving from clients.
Also, in the spirit of collaboration, we’re sharing complimentary, practical resources for leaders on topics of crucial importance today:
We hope you take advantage of these materials and find them valuable as you and your organization navigate these disruptive and uncertain times.
Dr. Laymon Hicks | Game Plan Lessons
Thirteen lessons from Virtual 2020 CASL State Conference opening keynote speaker Dr. Laymon Hicks.
Teen Truth
TEEN TRUTH is launching free virtual assemblies to help support schools during the COVID-19 crisis. Visit teentruth.net/free-virtual-school-assemblies or contact them today at teentruth.net/365 for more details. #bettertogether #buildschoolculture #improvementalhealth
Edutopia - 7 ways to maintain relationships during school closures
On any given day in schools across America, many students exchange warm greetings with a smiling teacher, then perhaps move on to a morning check-in, followed by a quick mindfulness exercise to start the day grounded and mentally focused. Surrounded by peers they’ve known for months, or perhaps even years—and a teacher they see daily—kids feel connected.
In spite of some critics who downplay the importance of social and emotional learning and the value of belonging—the numbers of such skeptics is falling, to be sure—the research is clear and has been for some time: when kids spend their daytime hours in safe, supportive schools where adults work every day to build strong relationships with every student, they are simply better, more engaged learners.
Greater Good in Action
Science-based practices for a meaningful life, curated by the Greater Good Science Center at UC Berkeley.
Overcoming Obstacles - Life skills lessons for remote learning
Overcoming Obstacles’ Life Skills Lessons for Remote Learning offers educators engaging activities they can use with their secondary school students while they are learning from home. The activities will help students identify their strengths, make better decisions, achieve their goals, develop a positive attitude, respect themselves as well as others, and handle the stress in their lives.
Varsity Brands - Believe in You
Believe in You® is an episodic series designed to educate students and staff about the incredible power of believing in yourself, despite the challenges and trials that life may present. Hosted by Kevin Atlas, and starring personalities from around the country who have overcome personal challenges to accomplish the extraordinary.
Videos can be viewed in class as a group, or on any mobile device. Each of the 9 episodes per season lasts for eight to eleven minutes, and is accompanied by lesson plans and activity guides to take the conversation further and spark critical thinking.
Lead4Change
Lead4Change is an online program that teaches social emotional and project based learning to students while they are home. Remember - our program is free for grades 6-12 and can be completed as a student led program with the guidance of their teacher.
Lead4Change lessons are available in digital format - either editable PDFs or Google Docs. Teachers can share the student lessons, have them work together in small virtual groups and then turn them in for review. The bonus? You can show real skill development and learning tied to specific skills they need to develop this year.
Social Emotional Curriculum for Home
Free social-emotional activities from Pathway 2 Success that can be done at home.
Kindness 101
Join Steve Hartman as he teaches an interactive week-long course for students of all ages about kindness!
Things to do
A principal complied a list of things to do during this time. Lots of cool things here!
List of things to do
New York Times: Teaching, Learning and Thinking Critically
A page we will continue to update with ideas for working, at school or at home, with content from The Times and other reliable sources about this global pandemic.