Virtual tours, Google Hangouts, and podcasts are becoming a normal part of classes for TSC students. Teachers and families are embracing the challenges of remote learning and finding new ways to stir excitement among students. Here is a look at some of those creative assignments.

Some teachers are giving students freedom to explore different tech platforms in completing their homework. Crystal Mart’s social studies classes at East Tipp Middle School are studying diseases and have the option to submit their responses through a podcast.  “I wanted to offer my students the option to show their creativity by producing a podcast instead of a written essay about world health issues,” says Mart. “It was a wonderful chance to hear their opinions and their voices.”

Wyandotte Elementary School teacher Abby Hare invites students to do some traveling—virtually. Her fourth grade students can explore museums, zoos, national parks, the International Space Station and more. “I send students the links through my website and then we post comments about our favorite parts in our private Google Classroom,” says Hare. “Students have really enjoyed exploring these places and watching virtual animal cams.”

Some Mintonye Elementary School students are changing the rules on how to play some traditional board games. Teacher Jacqui Grider challenged her first grade students to turn a game into a math review. Emily Hodges created a game where players can only advance if the player answered an addition or subtraction question correctly. Rorie Doyle enhanced the family Monopoly game to include correctly solving math problems in order to buy property or get out of jail.

Bogie’s Bed Making Cole Cub Challenge has students at Cole Elementary making their beds. “Making a bed doesn’t involve getting your hands dirty, but it is good, honest work and is a good habit,” says Principal Mike Pinto. “All fifth grade Cole Professionals should be experts at this by now because they understand that the little things make a difference.”

Physical Education teacher Danae Rush is making exercise videos daily to keep her students active. “So far the response has been great,” says Rush. “Students are dancing, exercising and having fun with their families. I also have different games they can play on my PE at home form and a choice of activities on my fitness log.”

Battle Ground Elementary student Christian Reigel says his whole family gets into workouts every morning. “Thank you for making me happy with PE videos,” he writes in an email to Mrs. Rush. Here is a video Christian made for his teacher.

Students in Caren Walker’s FACS classes at Klondike Middle School are learning about foods and nutrition, as well as kitchen safety and sanitation. Sixth grade student Ellianna Lingley says the stay-at-home order has allowed her to do more things inside than ever before. “The main things that I have done are laundry, cooking, and a lot of drawing,” says Ellianna. “It has been a fun, surreal experience so far. Each and every moment of at-home time has been almost a better time, as I have discovered many more hobbies that I never knew I had.”

Even younger students are getting involved in the kitchen. Students in SunShine Waber’s kindergarten class at Mayflower Mill Elementary School receive recipes and step-by-step video instructions during the week and then share their culinary masterpieces in a Google Hangout on Fridays. “The kids help measure and mix the ingredients to a recipe that matches our weekly theme,” says Waber. “We practice literacy, math, and problem solving skills in these lessons.”

Woodland Kindergarten student Sophie Schoch enjoys the Kinder Read Aloud sessions with her teacher Stephanie Salmon. Her favorite book so far has been Chicken in Space.

“We also have a classroom Facebook page where parents share pictures of their Kindergartener doing different things like riding a bike, taking out the trash, working on iReady math with their dog, taking hikes with their family and making stained glass front doors with paint,” says Salmon. “They love to write a few sentences and take a picture of themselves with their writing. I believe these things are keeping my students connected with their friends and me. I believe it also strengthens our learning and mental health during this challenging time.”