Dear Little Learners, We Didn’t Want This Either

Dear Little Learners, we didn’t want this either. This wasn’t our plan. We want to be in the classroom with you, teaching you, leading you, and supporting you. But until that can happen again, we are here We supporting you digitally in every way we can.

We Didn’t Want This Either: I Thought I Had Time

My little learners, when I saw you at school last, I knew I would have tomorrow. I had lesson plans already. Copies were prepped, centers were swapped out, and amazing, art projects were prepped. I even had a few tricks up my sleeve that I KNEW would make you smile. After all, you can’t always know what I have planned, you just have to show up and I would make sure to make it would be fun.

All that was missing was you… or so I thought. Little did I know we were also missing time.

Teaching You is the Goal

Teaching YOU is always my goal. I love seeing you walk in the door of our classroom. I love seeing your face light up when we learn something new. When you read to me, it makes my heart soar. You didn’t know how to read at the beginning of the year and now you are reading everything!

If I had known that school was going to be suspended or closed, I wanted to be the one to tell you. You should have heard it from me. We could have cried together. We could have talked about what we wanted our digital school to be like and how I could help you.

I Was Upset Too, I Cried

Instead, I got the news while I was on the ball field with my child. First, they canceled sports, then they canceled school. I cried. I didn’t cry because I was scared to get sick. Instead, I cried because that means that I don’t get to see you tomorrow. Or next week. I cried because I realized that I was going to miss TIME with you.

Then, I cried because I am worried about you and your family. You are more than just a child, you are my student. You are uniquely and wonderfully made. Now I don’t know what you need. Will you have food three times a day? Will your family be able to afford child care and rent? What about your parents’ jobs?

Digital Learning

After changes were being made to the school, I got to work. If I do the work, then I am hopeful that I plan for your digital learning. I recorded videos and organized learning activities and engaging links. I want to see you and hear from you as well. Our classroom may look different, but it can still be our classroom. I still want to grow your brain and heart in every way that I can.

I know learning this way is hard for you. It is different, maybe weird? But you know what… we can do hard things. We do them all the time. When things are different, it creates an opportunity to learn something new! I am so proud of how your strength to work through this. Please remember that I am here on the other side.

My Thoughts

I wanted your whole year of Kindergarten to be fun. First, I always planned on making leprechaun traps, egg hunts, and art projects. Then, I want to watch ladybug larvae grow with you while we talk about life cycles. How about Mother’s Day gifts? Will we be able to make those? If we don’t, who will?

I think about these things and more. For example, I think of my empty classroom each day. Then, I think about all those materials that I wish I had at my house to show you and guide your growing brain with. I wish I had a certain book to read that I know you will love. But more so, I think about you. I think about classroom. And I wish we had more time in Kindergarten together.

So Little Learners, please know we didn’t want this either. This wasn’t our plan. But we are going to do whatever it takes to make this experience, your experience, the best we can together… because you deserve it.

Here is how I am handling planning for Continuous Learning.

And check out these at-home learning kits.