Back to School 2020 - TNP Goes Virtual
The school year is well underway and Nora Project educators have kicked off the year in style. In the midst of a pandemic, our incredibly dedicated teachers are keeping social/emotional learning top of mind and providing their students with instruction in empathy education, disability awareness, and best practices for inclusion. Whether they are fully remote, hybrid, or back in school full time, The Nora Project programs are in full swing in classrooms across the country.
Take a peek at some of the things teachers have shared with us so far!
A rectangular powerpoint slide with white background. In top left corner is TNP logo. Text reads: “You will need: Nora journal and pencil” with TNP journal cover image and screenshot of 5 minute timer.
Julia Freedman of Pulaski International School recently shared the slide she uses to introduce TNP lessons that helps students prepare all the materials they’ll need for their Primer Pack lesson that day. Visual reminders support students’ executive functioning skills. By seeing what they need to have ready for the lesson, it is easier for students to identify those materials and gather them.
Screenshot from computer with 3 columns colored yellow, white, and blue. Each column lists a question and answer.
Rectangular screenshot from a Bitmoji classroom. An illustration of a teacher on the left side pointing to a cork board with a lesson on empathy posted on it.
Some of the students at Marklund School, which serves students with multiple disabilities and complex learning needs, are back in the classroom, while others are joining in remotely. Their teacher, Sarah Hays, provides instruction in person and by customizing the remote learning slides provided by The Nora Project. Here, she added picture supports to a lesson on empathy and created her own Bitmoji to personalize her remote learning slides. When teachers personalize content, it humanizes them and helps students connect to the learning and feel like they are part of a community.
Two girl wheelchair using students sit on either side of television screen that reads “Lesson 1: The Nora Project Introduction”
Our Storyteller Project asks students to reflect on three essential questions: 1) What does it mean to be a good friend? 2) Why is there no such thing as “normal?” and 3) Why do we share our stories with others? This year, Kerry Duffey has students sharing their ideas via the Google Slides provided by The Nora Project. We’re thrilled to see such thoughtful reflections so early in the school year. We can’t wait to see what these students have to say by year-end!
Worksheet with white background lists 3 questions with problems and multiple choice answers on how to solve the problems.
At Penn High School in Indiana, Biology teacher John Gensic introduced his STEMpathy Club students to the medical and social models of disability to help them process their experiences and begin to shift to an Ability Inclusive Mindset. Check out the slides he’s sharing with students to lead them through the process.
Orange rectangle screen with “My Nora Project Journal” in black cursive lettering. TNP logo is in bottom left corner.
Tricia Doyle at Nathan Hale Elementary School in Chicago created a digital version of The Nora Project Reflection Journal for her students. This will allow her to connect with students and continue the conversation as they process what they’ve learned in each lesson.
Social/emotional learning is more important now than ever before, and it’s critical that we provide students with opportunities to feel connected to their peers and teachers. The Nora Project is proud to provide resources to the best and brightest teachers that promote community building and inclusive classroom culture so that they can support their students in these challenging times.
Check back with us for more updates about how things are going in our participating classrooms!