DAY 15

New morning routine when the kids aren't with us: snuggle with D, roll out of bed, prepare matcha, take a shower, put on a little make-up, get dressed in something comfortable but nice, make the bed, eat a delicious breakfast, read the Seattle and New York Times, stare at my seedlings.....

and today, have my first Zoom staff meeting. I sat at the kitchen bar, backlit, in a red turtleneck and black sweats. Two rocks, black shiny paint, a freshly washed brush in front of me - a perfect activity to do while listening, half-listening, not listening. 90 Zoom minutes later = we can introduce new material but not grade it. Another 90 Zoom minutes later with just World Language = a group karaoke assignment, comfort, joy at seeing them.

Later, I tried my first Zoom yoga class at a studio in San Jose, Costa Rica with my teacher training instructor Esteban Salazar. I cranked up the heat in the front room, laid out my mat and towel and lasted 15 minutes. Decided to bundle up and run stairs in the rain instead - scooting to the far edge of the stairs whenever passing anyone.

Finally found a way to reach my students as the Skyward message response rate has been less than 3% -- Google Doc! I made a separate Google Doc for each class and asked all students the same two questions: How are doing (feelings)? What have you been doing (activities)? Almost immediately the responses started coming in, the small joy and at seeing who was writing, who was waiting. I had over 50% of students answer by the end of the day! So cool to think they are literally all together as a class on each Doc - am definitely going to try more.