Quarantine Round Two- Done! Our Class Poem

After spending 8 days teaching remotely, my class and I in isolation for 2 weeks, again, there is much I could write.

If I had the energy, and wanted to devote the time and effort to straddle the lines between public and private, I could explore the challenges faced, and the minor triumphs achieved during this time, as well as all of the inequities in public education magnified by this pandemic. 

Though I thought about reflecting, and reflected in thought, I couldn't quite motivate myself to follow through and write. It all seemed a bit much, and in a time period that also involved 2 COVID tests,  I determined early on I was going to do what I had to do, and make the most of the rest. 

I definitely felt akin with my students during this time.

At the same time, I do feel it important to document something about the time away, and so I am including the Google Classroom post of the day today, on our last day of quarantine. 

The top section is my morning message, to which there was no response, comments or otherwise. However, when it came time to participate in creating the class poem, not one student declined, and each providing phrases, thoughts, or feelings to sum up their experience. Their words were clear and powerful. When it came time to assemble them into a class poem, I only needs to add the introductory line and a few pronouns to help the feelings flow. 

They sum up our experience. 

Hopefully we will be able to avoid going through it again in the future.      

Created 9:22 AM9:22 AM

Happy Day Beautiful People, I hope everyone is doing well at school and at home. I am happy to report another negative result puts me in the clear, and am looking forward to returning to school tomorrow and seeing all of your gorgeous, though masked, faces. As we end our quarantine today, I invite Room 11 students to participate in a class poem to mark this time and share the experience. You can write 1 or 2 random lines, which sum up your feelings, which we will then assemble as a whole piece, or you can experiment with six- word memoirs, acrostic, Haiku (5-7-5 syllables), or play with the I AM format. I am sharing my examples for inspiration...hopefully you will do the same Fun at first, then novelty dissipated I am in quarantine Nowhere to go Stuck at home Or is it safe? Too much screen time, and sitting But I'm not complaining I am in quarantine Inside Solitary Only for awhile Learning Avoiding Time for both I remind myself One important reason Negative results Two weeks spent at home Talking to small black boxes Teaching? I hope so See you all in person tomorrow!!! Have a great day...be healthy, happy, and safe

1 class comment

Cari Satran4:26 PM

Thanks to you all for your participation and cooperation this week and with our class poem. I took your words and put them together Room 11 Round 2 Quarantine Class Poem The situation seems Cinematic Like it is all happening in a movie At home, isolated, Learning online Frustrating Depressing Stressful It feels Lonely Scary Boring Boredom sets in So many distractions it's distracting It's a disaster Wah Wah Wah There is some good Some fun Being Lazy Binge watching Making food We adapt We are always Learning New things New ways We are Amazing Nice Work! Be proud!