Teachers- what are we doing today?

[BelleSausage]

As an antidote to the accusations that we are doing bugger all I thought I’d keep a lockdown WFH diary here. Feel free to join in as an illustration that staff are doing lots in this time.

What am I up to today?

New term has started. I don’t usually teach Monday or Tuesday but I consider that out the window now. Will be putting in about four hours today between meetings and work setting and making explanation videos for students and answering e-mails queries.

I also have DD (4) to look after this morning as DH and I have divided the day in two shift so we can both get chunks of work done. Will be mostly reading and answering e-mails this morning. Can’t do anything that requires quiet until I can lock myself in the office this afternoon.

I’ve got a Teams staff meeting at 3 and that should take another hour. So maybe five in all.

Over the holidays I’ve been making talking Power Points for the students. School are keen for us not to do video lessons with younger years.

How about you all? What are you up to today?

I’ll also be sometimes dressed as a witch while answering e-mails and sometimes also excavating a dinosaur. So good at multi-tasking!

[BelleSausage]

Morning All!

Just clocked in to start my morning shift. Total radio silence from students today. I’ve booked out some time with DH this afternoon to do two Q&A sessions with the students on Teams. I would say roughly half of mine are still AWOL.

It sound like you are being asked to do way more than the kids @AriadneCrete

Are the parents receptive to the weekly check ins? Is anyone at your workplace actually checking on how you are (emotionally rather than how much you’ve gotten done)?

[AriadneCrete]

I have spent all day yesterday and today making flip charts and resources for entirely new units of work as our academy chain has said all schools need to do the same units for "consistency". Rather annoyingly, we only got told yesterday as had I have known earlier I could have made a start over Easter.

Creating the flips and then recording myself teaching is taking up the bulk of my time. I really think people (non teaching staff/ the general public) are underestimating how time consuming making and preparing these videos are.

I have also had three Teams meetings, replied to various emails, replied to children on our online learning platform and helped with work and provided feedback and phoned parents/children for the weekly check ins.

I am exhausted. I am working far harder and for far longer than I would ordinarily do. My school is going way overboard and I don't think our pupils are going to be any better or further ahead than schools that are taking a much more sensible approach to distance learning.

[PumpkinPie2016]

A bit late to this but today, I did a teams lesson with my A-level group (they all turned up!). We don't do teams lessons with younger years so I have been answering queries about the work set.

Quality assuring schemes of learning/resources my team have sent and providing feedback and support.

Sorting out the weekly bulletin messages.

Trying to write my own scheme of learning and resources in between all of the above.

I had my six year old son on my own this morning as well so was trying to keep hin amused and do his school work with him.

All in all, lots done but still have a to do list a mile long!

[thebookeatinggirl]

This was yesterday.
8.00am online uploading today's videos and tasks to ClassDojo, and writing a daily message to parents about what it involves.
8.30am go through uploads that came in last night that I didn't get around to commenting on and giving feedback to.
9.00am answer message from parent with very able child, giving advice on how to stretch, finding examples of videos and learning to send her. Answer message from parent of child working way below 'expected' level giving him ideas for activities and the sorts of things we were working on in school, based on her EHCP plan.
9.30-12 Make videos for tomorrow's lessons, make resources etc. The whole video thing is very time-consuming as I'm learning as I go, having never done this before, and have limited tech at home.
12-12.30 have lunch and talk to husband. Nag teenagers about their home-learning. Find stuff they need.
12.30-1.30 go through 40+ uploads of tasks that have come in from this morning and approve/give feedback.
1.30- 2.30 go through various emails from work on safe-guarding updates about children in my class, prep for zoom staff meeting on curriculum development tomorrow, answer more questions from parents, start prepping paper pack of home learning to match online content for those parents not able to access.
2.30-3.30 research new online content for my year group on BBC teach and Oak National Academy, watch some of the videos, look at resources and think about whether it would be appropriate for us to use. Look at links Headteacher has emailed to share other online things he thinks could be useful.
3.30-4.00 phone chat with my TA who is also working from home about resources she can continue to prep ready for our return.
4.00-4.30 check-in with teenagers, check their on-going assignments online. Nag some more.
4.30-5.30pm go through 40+ more uploads from children, feedback etc Be continually amazed by some parents creativity and the effort going into home-learning, especially those who I know are in difficult circumstances.
5.30pm onwards - discuss TV viewing for the evening and be delighted that a new Killing Eve is available. Iron for a bit. Have long messenger conversation with other members of staff about how we are using ClassDojo, what is working well, what isn't. Admire GCSE Art work produced today by child 2. Eat delicious tea cooked by husband and open wine 🍷

[Ilikefresias]

In school today caring for looked after children

[BelleSausage]

I’m done for today. Just cooking dinner. I did a few last minute questions for Yr10. They seem to be emerging.

I’m going to try to do that thing where you record your iPad screen to show them exactly where to find everything tomorrow. The written instructions aren’t working.

Have a lovely evening all!

[Spagbol88]

I've sent work for the week which is due electronically by Friday. I've replied to email queries about bits and pieces too.
Ive sent my team emails about things we need to be focusing on and I'm waiting patiently for btec guidance on grading. A quiet day today but going to get much busier as the weeks go on. I teach FE so our 2nd year's are done now apart from finishing off bits of coursework.

[noblegiraffe]

I did the world’s most boring online health and safety CPD today. The woman on the video was so pleasant looking and had such a nice voice that I spent half the time wondering how exactly you get into it as a career. What do they put on the job advert?

[wasgoingmadinthecountry]

I have emailed various parents whose children I'm setting individualised work for, written the SEN transition forms for my class, done some preparation for an upcoming Zoom "chat" with our SIA, completed a 4 hour OU course relating to the subject I lead (in an hour), liaised with our local councillors over a distant project we're running together, done some work on my action plan, had a couple of conversations about children with other staff members, uploaded a couple of stories for the children... and had a wee when chose to without having to wait 2 hours! Probably some other stuff. First checked emails at 7.30 and about to have final check now. I'm not allowed in school right now due to asthma.

[NotQuiteThere]

Thank you BlessYourCottonSocks. Really, I just need to get my rational head on and put it out of my mind. Results are fine for that class and they are a nice bunch to teach. My boss is taking care of the situation and will be completely fair.

First day back today. My own dc have been pretty brilliant sorting themselves out, although we've been playing musical rooms depending on who needs to be closest to the wifi box at the time! A few technical problems but otherwise ok.

I taught two live meetings and was available online for 3 exam classes. Messed up my first live lesson just from nerves I think, but the second was much better. The kids were lovely and it was nice to hear from them again. They all had a good attempt at the work set, can't ask for more than that.

Exhausted though! Need to mark the classwork tonight.

[Piggywaspushed]

I have been nagging my exam board about 'resits' and NEAs given a few of my students didn't even get to finish theirs. They have no answer yet...

[BelleSausage]

@superram

I’m annoyed because I called them before Easter and they said to enter the marks but not send off the papers for moderation (obviously).

I just feel like the entry level qualifications have been left a bit in the dark. Apparently, they still haven’t got any guidance on this. Told me to call back in two week.

[superram]

@BelleSausage exam boards won’t be asking for neas-they can’t ofqual have said no. I have marked mine (despite hating marking) and will keep the nea in case they are needed for the ‘resits’-though think this is unlikely too!

[Rainuntilseptember]

Well today I've worked all morning online though I don't actually work today (part time)

[Mammyloveswine]

I was in school over Easter and was in school yesterday.

Had a teams catch up meeting with my depart this morning and set some online tasks for my pupils/checked to see who has been interacting. Now I'm going to teach my own children for a few hours then tonight I'll catch up on my emails.

[nevergoingoutagain]

No online video lessons allowed here. We can record videos though.

I have 3 kid at home. 1 of whom is 6 so needs supervised learning.

I have just been marking some assignments and answering queries (about an hour) while kids have lunch (they've finished their lessons) will spend another few hours later marking more assignments and setting some more lessons.

I have 16 classes and I only know 3 of them!! I returned to work the week before we closed! The 3 classes I know were mine in December when I tried to leave teaching for good but covid and the economy had other ideas so now I'm back full time teaching mainly a subject which isn't my specialism 🤷🏻‍♀️

I've also agreed to write a scheme of work in my specialist subject which I started before I left and no one has yet finished. I will soon be doing paid work as a tutor for online group tutorials as well! Hope they don't clash with my daughter online trombone lessons lol

[TubereuseNordlys]

I thought today would be less relentless, but it's not.

I hadn't banked on the value of the Look in a classroom when someone talks over someone else: we're using Showbie and the children are really enjoying submitting work and messaging me, but of course they have no idea that they're all pinging things in at once. I feel like a plate spinner!

Have had a positive comments from two parents, so feeling good about that.

I'm going to start using the Oak National Academy for some things next week - now I've seen a couple of videos I can do a bit of cherry-picking. I am grateful to the teachers who have spent their time making videos for it.

[BlessYourCottonSocks]

@NotQuiteThere

The thing that worked for me with parents was reading this:

A fair amount of the criticism that comes your way is flat out mistaken. The other person is wrong on the facts or doesn’t understand the larger context.

That helped me enormously. Parents who make you miserable generally fall into this category - you know as a teacher you are doing your best.

Today I have:
answered lots of emails
reset lots of passwords, etc for access to digital textbooks
marked some A level work
worked on SoW/planning for next year.

[TheletterZ]

I’m teaching my normal timetable using OneNote supporting the students using teams and emails. Yesterday worked really but today we have having some technical difficulties.

Some lessons I have been busy with questions but some they just got on with it. The lessons are taking a long time to prepare (about 2 hrs per lesson so far) and then I have to go over the work afterwards, which is reasonably quick but it all adds up.

Would very much prefer to be in the classroom.

[BelleSausage]

Update: I’ve just spoken to the exam board and they don’t want grades for NEAs for entry level qualifications. What a palaver!

Apparently, they might want them sometime at the end of May but they’re not sure!

[Shadowboy]

Today I am creating methodologies for the centre assessed grades. This will take about 4/5 hours. I’ll have to stop this afternoon to look after my 3 and 5 year old and then when they go to bed I’ll deal with today’s emails and students that I didn’t manage to deal with in the morning.

Tomorrow is lesson prep for next week...

[ChloeDecker]

Then after she was in bed I cracked on with some of the online CPD we’ve been set

You’ve just reminded me I was halfway through CPD last week and need to finish it! (to get the certificate for SLT). Thanks!

For all of us working hard in often difficult circumstances, have a read of his article, to put a smile on your face today:

schoolsweek.co.uk/a-testament-to-teachers-in-testing-times/

[BelleSausage]

I’m in the same boat @VashtaNerada so don’t worry.

I’m getting started at 9 properly. Checked e-mails at 7am and there was nothing really. I’m not full time or a middle leader and my schools has a no e-mails out of hours policy. I’m really appreciating that at the moment!

I do think this WFH situation will really show up which schools have the best working conditions.

[VashtaNerada]

Finding it so hard to WFH and keep my own DC on task with work. Pretty much only working half-days now so I can do DC schooling in the morning and then leave them parked in front of the TV in the afternoon. This week I’m writing work packs for next week, calling children/parents at home, writing reports plus adapting next year’s medium term plans.

[thunderthighsohwoe]

Yesterday I started uploading the week’s home learning onto Seesaw while DD16mo was having her breakfast. Then I was online all day responding to work uploaded and questions. In between questions I was planning for next week, making resources for parents to use and filming videos for the lessons and of me reading our class story.

DP went to work early and then came home at 9 for ‘lunch’ to have DD for an hour while I ploughed on. I took my ‘lunch’ early afternoon to take her for a walk and run off some of her energy. DP got home at 4.30 so took over for another hour while I got through some more work. Then after she was in bed I cracked on with some of the online CPD we’ve been set, I’m about 4 hours into 30 so a while to go! Luckily I got all of my specialist planning for the EHCP children in my class done last week, when there was lower traffic on Seesaw due to Easter.

Will be in on my rota day later this week to look after key worker children, and DP will just not work that day (self employed) and I’ll have to respond to queries/work at night on that day.

It’s bloody hard work with a toddler at home, but I can’t complain because at least I have a job!