• Home
  • Blog
  • Master Mentor Sentences
    • Mentor Sentences for K-2
    • Mentor Sentences for 3-5
  • Professional Learning
    • Course Login
    • Interactive Read Alouds
    • K-2 Mentor Sentences Course
    • 3-5 Mentor Sentences Course
    • FREE 1-2 Mentor Text Course
    • FREE 3-5 Mentor Texts Course
  • Shop
    • My Account on Jivey’s Site
    • Shop Jivey’s Site
    • Shop on TpT
    • Mentor Texts on Amazon
  • About
    • Meet Jivey
    • Disclosure & Affiliate Policy
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • YouTube
  • 0 items
  • Ideas by Jivey

    Jivey shares ideas and lessons to make literacy accessible for all.

    • Shop
    • Master Mentor Sentences
      • Mentor Sentences for K-2
      • Mentor Sentences for 3-5
    • Maximize Time With Mentor Texts
    • Vivid Vocabulary
    • Close Reading
    Mentor Texts, Paired Texts

    Virtual Learning in the ELA Classroom

    March 12, 2020

    Share
    Pin
    Tweet

    Check out the collection of free and paid reading and writing resources to prevent busy-work when virtual learning is required in your classroom. Years ago, when schools were closed for snow, flooding, or mass illnesses, the school year was extended to make sure students got in all of their learning days. Virtual learning was like something from The Jetsons! Now, districts can choose to have digital learning days to help make up for that missed learning.

    In this post, I want to make sure your virtual learning ELA lessons aren’t just busy-work, but are actually full of engaging, rigorous lessons that your students will enjoy. I will be sharing some free ideas and suggestions of online platforms that will make this work, as well as how some of my digital learning resources can tie in to help make your job easier.

    Google Classroom

    With a platform like Google Classroom (or an alternative like Edmodo), you can still have collaborative “discussions” through a shared document where students can type responses directly and you can respond, correct misconceptions, and encourage deeper thinking.

    You can even have actual conversations if students are able to access Google Hangouts or a platform like Zoom!

    You can also assign reading with self-grading questions so students get immediate feedback to understand their mistakes (of course, you can also leave it as-is so they don’t immediately see that their answer was right or wrong if you want to take it for an actual grade).

    You can download this paired text resource for grades 4-6 about Epidemics and Germs FOR FREE here!

    I also have a free set for grades 2-3 about having pets- download it here!

    I have several sets of paired texts that are digital classroom-ready if this is something you know your students need to practice. They are all written around fun and interesting topics like deep-sea mysteries and the Titanic, important people like abolitionists, historical events like the American Revolution and Westward Expansion, and more!

    Buy sets for Grades 4-6 here

    Buy Grades 2-3 units here

    Other Online Platforms

    These digital learning platforms are offering free ways to access now as Coronavirus shuts schools down worldwide:

    • Book Creator is currently offering free accounts for schools to keep students and teachers connected!
    • You can even get Brainpop access for your students if you don’t already have it with your school.
    • Kahoot is doing the same thing to support distance learning.

    These platforms are always free and offer fun, engaging ways to keep learning the standards:

    • A site called ABCya.com has games that can be found by standard.
    • A great platform for virtual learning with lessons AND interactive tools for students is Nearpod.
    • One of my favorite online news article sites is DOGO News. This is a great way to assign some current event articles for discussion, writing activities, or comprehension lessons.
    • I also love this interactive site FULL of informational articles called Wonderopolis!
    • Read Write Think has interactive learning tools for students that could help cement a strategy.
    • Another great reading assessment platform is Common Lit.

    Online Read-Alouds

    Check out the collection of free and paid reading and writing resources to prevent busy-work when virtual learning is required in your classroom. A key part of ELA is the mentor text you’ll be using for your lessons. This shouldn’t be left out just because students aren’t sitting right in front of you!

    As I mentioned above, having a Google Hangout or jumping on Zoom is a great way to be “face-to-face” with students… but maybe you or your students can’t be available at the same time. You could always pre-record yourself reading the book using even just your cell phone- you don’t even have to be in the shot if you’re hanging in your PJs… show each page of the book instead! Either way, this would be perfect to also show your think-aloud process of a strategy while doing your reading.

    If it isn’t an option for you to do the read-aloud yourself- maybe you don’t have access to the book, or you aren’t able to do the recording- there are tons of books online already recorded as read-alouds! Just do a simple search for the book you want to use!

    Storyline Online is one of my favorite resources for great read-alouds performed by actors.

    Also check out Epic! which is free for educators!


    Whether you need mentor text activities for digital learning days or 1:1 lessons in the classroom, I have many!

    I am offering a free week of ELA activities to help alleviate some stress of planning for digital learning. These are perfect for grades 3-5.

    Check out all of my reading organizers and activities, and writing prompts too, just like the ones in the free download in my digital Better than Basal resources.

    I also made my Vivid Vocabulary Companions in digital format, too like the ones in the free resource!

    I hope these ideas, suggestions, and resources are useful to you as you may be navigating virtual learning for the first time. Best wishes in your digital lesson endeavors!

    Share
    Pin
    Tweet
    by Jessica Ivey 

    About Jessica Ivey

    View all posts by Jessica Ivey

    Related Posts

    • First Writing Piece of the Year: If You Find a Rock
    • Warm Up Your Winter With A Mentor Text Lesson: Recess At 20 Below
    • Tying It All Together With Mentor Texts {with freebies!}
    • Mentor texts should be used to teach multiple skills and subjects to engage students and maximize teaching time.The Ultimate Guide to Mentor Texts for Teachers
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube

    Welcome!

    Welcome!

    Hi, I'm Jessica, also affectionately known as Jivey! I am passionate about making literacy accessible for all students using research-based strategies. Students learn best through content integration and in-context skills, and my goal is to help you deliver your instruction with these best practices!

    Looking for something?

    SHOP

    SHOP

    Recent Posts

    • Planning a Language Arts Schedule (How To Fit It All In!)
    • Mentor Sentences Routine: Break It Down (Assessment)
    • Mentor Sentences Routine: Break It Down (Time to Imitate)
    • Mentor Sentences Routine: Break It Down (Time to Revise)
    • Mentor Sentences Routine: Break It Down (Parts of Speech)

    Facebook

    Ideas By Jivey

    2 weeks ago

    Ideas By Jivey
    Right?! Picture books are for every👏🏼one!👏🏼 ... See MoreSee Less

    Photo

    View on Facebook
    · Share

    Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

    Ideas By Jivey

    3 weeks ago

    Ideas By Jivey
    I shared my TPT story with you back in April... (if you missed it, you can check it out here: ckarchive.com/b/4zuvheh5z24kp)As promised, the next big celebration update has happened!! FIVE brand new units have been added to the Yearlong Mentor Text Curriculum Bundle: Volume 2 for Grades 3-5! www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Yearlong-Mentor-Text-Curriculum-Bundle-Volume-2-for-Grades-3-... (This is the large $99 bundle that covers the entire year with mentor sentences, interactive activities, reading and writing, and vocabulary.)If you own the large bundle, whether it's through TPT, my website shop, or through a course purchase, you will get these FIVE NEW UNITS (valued at $18.75) FOR FREE!! Just re-download your purchase!📔School's First Day of School by Adam Rex📘Our Table by Peter H. Reynolds📗The Widow's Broom by Chris Van Allsburg📙Sofia Valdez, Future Prez by Andrea Beaty📕Vulture Verses by Diane LangI am creating these units to strategically align with the large bundles- you'll find the books chosen in volume 2 cover language skills that didn't have lessons previously, and can also be paired nicely with books included in the original bundle. For example, use Vulture Verses with Animals Nobody Loves!Just as a reminder, YES! I plan on doing the same thing for all of the other yearlong volumes, so don't be upset if you own another volume, or another grade! (And remember, Volume 1 already has its bonuses added!!) I am going in order of when I released them, and as you can imagine, it takes some time to create so many brand new units. 😉If you DON'T OWN the Volume 2 Yearlong Bundle and still want these five amazing book units, you can get them now ON SALE for just $3 each for the next 48 hours! www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Ideas-By-Jivey/Order:Most-Recent#seller_details_tabsThank you again for all your support and feedback over the last decade! Here's to at least ten more!! ... See MoreSee Less

    Photo

    View on Facebook
    · Share

    Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

    Ideas By Jivey

    3 weeks ago

    Ideas By Jivey
    Every Tuesday in June and July, you'll be able to purchase one of the MANY individual mentor text units that I've created from my website shop!This is a great way to stock up on some new lessons for next school year. 🎉The first $2 Tuesday is TODAY, and is the unit I created for the WONDERFUL mentor text, Trombone Shorty!Don't own the book? Don't worry! It's on Storyline Online! In this pack, you will receive:★a mentor sentence lesson for the book★an interactive notebook activity to review/teach comparatives and superlatives★seven reading ideas suggested with three activities provided: identifying theme, describing illustrations, and analyzing author's language★one writing idea suggested with a writing prompt given★contextual vocabulary activities★ Activities are also provided as links to Google Slides for Digital Learning! ★ www.ideasbyjivey.com/coupon/TROMBONE2/ ... See MoreSee Less

    Video

    View on Facebook
    · Share

    Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

    Pinterest

    Instagram

    Right?!! Don’t take away my #mentortexts! #pictu Right?!! Don’t take away my #mentortexts! #picturebooksaremyjam #picturebooksareforeveryone 

#ideasbyjivey #teachersfollowteachers #teachersofinstagram #teachersofig #teachertribe #iteach345
    Every Tuesday in June and July, you'll be able to Every Tuesday in June and July, you'll be able to purchase one of the MANY individual #mentortext units that I've created from my website shop!

This is a great way to stock up on some new lessons for next school year. 🎉

The first $2 Tuesday is TODAY, and is the unit I created for the WONDERFUL mentor text, Trombone Shorty!

Don't own the book? Don't worry! It's on Storyline Online! 

In this pack, you will receive:

★a mentor sentence lesson for the book

★an interactive notebook activity to review/teach comparatives and superlatives

★seven reading ideas suggested with three activities provided: identifying theme, describing illustrations, and analyzing author's language

★one writing idea suggested with a writing prompt given

★contextual vocabulary activities

★ Activities are also provided as links to Google Slides for Digital Learning! ★ 

Link in profile! https://www.ideasbyjivey.com/coupon/TROMBONE2/ 

#ideasbyjivey #2dollartuesday #mentortext #mentorsentences #iteach345 #iteach3rd #iteach4th #iteach5th #teachersfollowteachers #teachertribe #teacherdeals
    Enough is enough. I’m sick over this. I’m sick Enough is enough. I’m sick over this. I’m sick OF this. I’m tired of children’s and teachers’ lives being lower on the list than the right to bear arms. Sending love to all my Texas teachers and families. Comments are turned off and yes, removed, because this is NOT an argument. Go to someone else’s post to do that. This is the 30th school shooting this year. This doesn’t happen in other countries, yet there is still plenty of evil there. I’m done.
📸: @theteachingtexan
    When I began creating #mentorsentence resources to When I began creating #mentorsentence resources to list in my TpT store over ten years ago, it was because of the huge shift I’d seen in my own students implementing the game-changing routine. I LOVE to hear other teachers have the same results! 🥰 #fabulousfeedback #ideasbyjivey #teachersfollowteachers #teachersofinstagram #teachersofig #teachertribe #iteach345 #mentorsentences
    Can students think critically about grammar!? YES Can students think critically about grammar!?

YES THEY CAN!

I know higher order thinking skills (HOTS) are generally not associated with grammar, but give it a chance… you’re going to see a HUGE shift in writing abilities and language understanding if you do!

Check out the blog post in my profile for a run-down and a free download to help you get started! https://www.ideasbyjivey.com/higher-order-thinking-questions-for-grammar-and-writing/ #ideasbyjivey #grammar #language #mentorsentences #effective #teachersfollowteachers #teachersofinstagram #teachersofig #iteachupperelementary #iteach345
    My club units have been some of my favorite resour My club units have been some of my favorite resources to create because the planning and creation were guided by the teachers using them!

Because of the input from your fellow teacher community, I know these units will be such a benefit to you, too! Every unit in the bundle has: 

📕a week of plans that integrate multiple skills and subjects
📙detailed explicit lessons, including teacher samples
📒a week-at-a-glance plan
📗digitally converted activities in Google Slides and Forms, when applicable
📘mentor sentence lesson
📕reading and writing lessons
📙integration of other subjects (science, social studies, or social/emotional skills)
📒printables for skill practice
📗at least one other text (poem, article, paired passages)* to integrate with your lessons *this will vary each unit depending on skills covered!
📘short assessments

Check out the latest bundle at the link in my profile! https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/MENTOR-TEXT-CLUB-by-Jivey-2ND-EDITION-for-Grades-3-5-7058941 
#ideasbyjivey #mentortext #mentortexts #teachersfollowteachers #mentorsentences #effective #teachersofinstagram #teachersofig
    Did you know I have a total breakdown of how mento Did you know I have a total breakdown of how mentor sentences can look day by day in your classroom?
Head over to my blog! www.ideasbyjivey.com #ideasbyjivey #mentorsentences #teachersfollowteachers #iteach345 #teachersofinstagram #teachersofig
    Elizabeth Started All the Trouble by Doreen Rappap Elizabeth Started All the Trouble by Doreen Rappaport is the perfect #mentortext to incorporate in your studies of women's suffrage. With this unit, you'll be able to work with students on analyzing primary sources (specifically political cartoons, but also some written documents), identifying supporting reasons and details, writing opinion pieces, and using relative pronouns. This unit is the perfect way to integrate social studies with language arts! Grab it from the link in my profile! https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Elizabeth-Started-All-the-Trouble-Womens-Suffrage-Mentor-Text-Unit-8036259 #ideasbyjivey #teachersfollowteachers #teachersofinstagram #teachersofig #socialstudiesintegration #iteach345 #teacherspayteachers
    This feedback means so much to me because as I’v This feedback means so much to me because as I’ve made my mentor sentence lessons over the last ten years, I’ve put so much thought into the way I craft my units and bundles! Thank you for trusting me! ❤️ #mentorsentences #ideasbyjivey #teachersfollowteachers #teachersofinstagram #teachersofig #iteach345 #iteach3rd #iteach4th #iteach5th #iteachfourth #iteachfifth #iteachthird
    Load More... Follow on Instagram

    Copyright © 2022 · Prima Donna theme by Georgia Lou Studios

    Copyright © 2022 · Prima Donna on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

    This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. See full disclosure here.​

    accept

    This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website.
    See full disclosure here.​

    accept