Just a year ago, if you had told me I would be teaching from home through a screen, I would have laughed. We had no idea! But after distance learning in Kindergarten for the majority of the year, transitioning back to in person learning can seem like a big challenge.
These teacher tips will hopefully help make the transition after distance learning a little bit easier!
Reset Your Classroom Management
We all know what happens after a school break. Students seem to forget how to function in a classroom! Think of kindergarten distance learning as an extended school break in regards to your classroom management.
Even if you have been in the classroom this year and were only distance learning for a short time, you need a reset. I suggest acting like it’s the beginning of the year all over again.
If you can, dedicate most of your first week back to reteaching procedures and routines. Focus on establishing a routine and building relationships again.
Any transition can be scary for a kindergartener, and this is a big one. Taking time to reteach expectations and routines will help your students feel safe.
Your students are probably used to classroom management visuals while distance learning. Use those in the classroom! If you need a free set of carpet who group expectation visuals, grab them here.
Even if your students had supplies at home, you will want to reteach how to use school supplies. After all, you really have no idea what they did with those glue sticks when the camera was off!
These no prep activities are perfect for reviewing how to use school supplies.
Prep Individual Student Supplies
Having your individual student supplies all ready to go will make your life SO much easier! You can read more about my suggestions for individual student centers and supplies here.
A reading tool kit can be used during whole group reading, phonics, and guided reading small groups. Grab your FREE ela tool kit here!
I love math tool kits even when we aren’t social distancing in the classroom. Math tool kits make it so easy to have hands on math lessons. Students can bring their math tool kit with them to the carpet or pull it out at their desk for hands on math activities.
Build Student Stamina After Kindergarten Distance Learning
If you are transitioning back to in person learning after distance learning in kindergarten, you are going to have to build student stamina back up. They may be used to working on a computer, but you will probably want to build reading, writing, and independent centers stamina back up.
Plan time to practice building stamina the first week or two back. Model focus and let students practice. I know it can be frustrating to feel like you are starting over, but this will help so much in the long run!
Keep Some Kindergarten Distance Learning Activities for Consistency
Just because you are in the classroom now doesn’t mean everything has to change. If your students have favorite activities from distance learning, incorporate them into your in person lessons!
Did your students love playing white board games? Use those as a “we do” activity for your workshops.
Were digital centers a favorite of your students? Let students complete digital centers and activities during in person centers!
Did you try a scavenger hunt and it went amazing? Is there a way you can {safely} try a scavenger hunt in the classroom?
You don’t have to make big changes to your instruction and routine just because your are transitioning back to in person learning.
Wrapping It All Up
To wrap it all up, if you are coming back in person after distance learning in kindergarten, there are some easy things you can do to make your life so much easier. Reteaching your classroom expectations and routines will help your students feel safe and keep things running smoothly. Prep your individual student supplies and tool kits that you will use daily. Take time to rebuild student stamina and try to incorporate favorite activities from distance learning.
