How to Create a Remote Learning HyperDoc
Drop Everything And Remote Learn
I went back and forth on creating this remote learning document and sending it out to families. I feel that students deserve to have time off with their families, but I also knew that a month away during the school year was an extensive amount of time to miss. What a time we are living in right now. Coronavirus or COVID-19 has taken the country by storm and in attempts to “flatten the curve,” schools have shut down. My own district is out for a month, including one week of spring break. It seems like everywhere I look people are posting ideas for online learning and remote learning. While I know that many of my families struggle with access to technology, many of my families do have resources and materials available. Even if this is in the form of a mobile phone or device. I finally came to the decision that if even if some of my students find these resources useful, I would be glad I put the list together. I wanted to send out a hyperdoc with links to valuable resources that can help allow learning to happen (or at least attempt to) while we are away. This whole issue brings up so many reflections.
As educators, what are we supposed to be taking away from this moment?
What flaws in the system are now clear when our buildings shut down?
What limitations are not being addressed that allow our children to learn when our buildings are up and running?
I am proud that my district will offer food drops, but nothing can replace the routine, the classroom, the learning, the engagement, and the opportunities. The inspiration for this post came from Jennifer Gonzalez from the Cult of Pedagogy and her post titled “How HyperDocs Can Transform Your Teaching.” It made the most sense to offer a hyperdoc that linked to valuable resources. This post will outline my letter to families, a suggested schedule, and 20+ strategies to reach online learners through remote systems.
The HyperDoc Format
The format of this is the same as what I use for my lesson plans. I like to design a document that allows one document to be the epicenter of many resources. By providing all of the links in one place, you create a navigation map for those who are trying to use the document. All you have to do to insert the links is to highlight the piece of text, right-click, and insert the link. The text will then highlight blue when the link is enabled.
Family Letter
The theme from my letter surrounds B.B. King’s quote: “The beautiful thing about learning is that nobody can take it away from you.” Even in circumstances that haven’t been navigated before, we must come back to the power of curiosity and the self-drive to learn. If we teach nothing else to our students, we must teach them to be curious about the world and go find the answers they are looking for in life. Many of these opportunities don’t necessarily offer major sources of inspiration, but the opportunities are present to learn. I do not put anywhere in the letter that I think these online remote learning platforms are substitutes for good teaching, yet, they provide resources in the interim. Please feel free to copy and use any part of my letter for your own correspondence to your students or families.
Dear students and families,
You will be missed over the course of the next three weeks. In order to offer some class materials for English Language Arts, I have put together a suggested schedule and some materials that can be used during the time we are away. These materials are not required, and they should be seen as an option. Please take from this document anything that inspires learning and growing. I will not be grading the materials, and they will not be put into the grade book for participation.
So, then the question might be: “Why would I do this work, Mrs. Hampton?” The answer is simple: I want you to continue to grow and keep learning, even though you are away. Please keep challenging your thinking. Please keep creating new stories. Please keep reading books. I love the quote from B.B. King that states: “The beautiful thing about learning is that nobody can take it away from you.” Nobody can stop you if you want to keep learning.
All of the options I have included in this document are free to use. Some require the internet, and some do not. Some require a computer, and some might work on a mobile device. You may have to experiment with what works with the materials you have on hand. I have noted all login directions with each aspect of the document.
I have never experienced a situation like this before in education. This is a stressful time, and I will always maintain that personal health (in all areas) is what should come first. If you just need the time off, please take it.
If you need anything from me during this time, please do not hesitate to email me at [insert email]
Take care,
Mrs. Hampton
Suggested Schedule
Some families and students crave structure. I teach middle school, so I wanted to keep this in mind. I have no intention of making them do hours of English classwork each day; however, I can offer a similar structure to what they are seeing in class. I always start with the choice of reading. If students don’t have books from the library or they left them in their locker, there are options. Many of these are offered on mobile platforms as well.
25+ Remote Learning Options
1.) CHOICE READING BOOK OR MAGAZINE
2.) READ OUT LOUD TO A YOUNGER SIBLING
3.) DRAW A PICTURE BOOK OR GRAPHIC NOVEL
4.) PARTICIPATE IN A FREE WRITE. MAKE A STORY!
5.) CREATE A DIARY OR WRITE IN A JOURNAL EACH DAY
6.) GETEPIC.COM EBOOKS, AUDIOBOOKS, AND ONLINE LEARNING
7.) LEXIA POWER UP, COMPASS ODYSSEY, OR LEXIA CORE 5
8-13.) LIST OF ONLINE READ A LOUDS-PERNILLE RIPP’S BLOG POST, “PICTURE BOOK READ ALOUD VIDEOS FOR LESSON USE”
Authors Everywhere! YouTube Channel
Indianapolis Public Library Read Aloud
Videos Kate Messner’s List of Read Alouds
Kid Lit TV Youtube Channel
Brightly Storytime (Also, great for younger siblings)