Tips for Teaching Your Students At a Distance

If you would have ever asked me if I would be sitting in a meeting spread out 6 feet away from my co-workers listening to our state and district plan to teach our students from a distance for the next month, I never would have guessed I would be. But, that is exactly where I was yesterday at 8 A.M.

Because this is completely uncharted territory, and we are making this up as we go, I figured I would share some tips for teaching your students at a distance that I have figured out in this last 24 or so hours.  If you have any ideas to share, please feel free to in the comments below, because we are all in this together!

This post contains affiliate links. I earn a small commission each time someone makes a purchase using one of my links, which helps to support the blog.  All opinions are my own and I only promote brands and products that I have used myself and truly love.  


1. Take care of YOU!

As teachers we tend to put the needs of everyone else above our own, and I know this situation will be no different.  We will spend the next month (or more) worried about our students, (are they learning, are they safe, do they have enough to eat?).  That is just what we do.  But, as you have probably all ready been told, it is hard to fill others' buckets when our own bucket is depleted.  That is why my first tip for teaching during this challenging time is to take care of you!

1. Get plenty of rest.

2. Drink plenty of water and eat as healthy as you can during this time.

3. Take time to yourself - this is a great time to read that novel you've been putting off since you got it last Christmas! You can even get a free 30 day subscription to Kindle if you don't have enough books to read.

4. Resist the urge to be a news junkie - limit news and social media consumption right now.  I don't know about you, but I tend to freak myself out with information overload.  I have decided to limit myself to 30 minutes of news at night and Facebook posts that are only about things I love - teaching ideas, funny videos, etc.

5. Don't compare!  I have many on-line friends in other schools or districts who don't have to go in at all, or who are still in school.  There are so many considerations with this - just stay in your lane and focus on what YOU need to do for your students and your family!

2. Keep it Simple

Yes, that good ol' K.I.S.S. principle!  Restrain yourself from the urge to send all of the links, all of the copies, and all of the free resources that are bombarding you now.  You don't know what kind of situation each of your students is in during this precarious time.  Some may be home alone, others may be sent to daycare situations where they don't have access to internet.  Some have three siblings who are also vying for the internet during the day and possibly don't have more than one computer (if one at all).

My solution was to use Class Dojo to handle the majority of assignments because it is something my parents have been using all year and not a new program that they had to learn.  Keep it simple.

I shared links to my resources that I use ALL YEAR long - again trying to keep it something that the students already know how to do.

I sent my daily math review, my homework packets (I send home a daily sheet from 180 Days Reading and 180 Days math), and reading logs for the next few weeks.

That is it!  I have sent additional resources for fun, like some color by number math facts sheets, and some math games, but I have told parents to mostly worry about keeping their children safe and secure during this time.

Bonus FREEBIE

You can grab an addition and multiplication sample of my Unicorn math facts sets free here.


The full unicorn math facts sets are listed below:

Unicorn addition facts color by number

Unicorn multiplication facts color by number

If you own any of my resources, feel free to send them to parents however you need to - this is a trying time and we need to stick together!

Families can also get a FREE month of Kindle just for signing up! This might be a great way for them to keep up on their reading if they don't have enough books at home!

Kindle Unlimited Membership Plans

3. Use video.

I sent a video to my students yesterday, just to say hi and let them know that I was ok and still would be working with them distantly for the time being.  I also video recorded myself reviewing our homework so that they could check their work.

I plan on sharing mini video lessons throughout this time period.  I am sharing videos on my Class Dojo app and on a Facebook group that I set up for my classroom.  You can do the same or even send email videos.

I know many of us do not like the idea of videoing ourselves, but your students will really appreciate seeing your face as reassurance during this scary time! I am even going to be brave enough to share the video I made for them with you to help show you it's not as bad as you think!

4. Share Your Day.

Your students have been used to seeing you every weekday all school year, this sudden departure may be challenging for them, particularly since many of us didn't get to say "good-bye" before the long break. Take the time to share little bits of your day and what you are doing.

My students always comment about my lunch - how I always eat salad EVERY DAY!  I sent a picture on Class Dojo of my salad yesterday.  They loved it and some even shared their own lunch menus with me.  Just one of those little things to keep the relationship building even when we can't be with them.

I will be sharing things around my house such as my pet bearded dragon, my own boys, and my "temporary classroom/work-space".  I will also be encouraging them to share things from their day as well.

5. Manage Your Expectations

I've touched on this briefly, but, we don't know what circumstances each of our students or parents are dealing with at the moment.  They may have child care issues, employment issues, fear, etc.  We definitely DO NOT need to add to this burden with our teaching expectations.

Per our district policy, we need to make contact with each student and parent each day.  That is my ONLY solid expectation right now.  If you need a copy of this contact form, email me at kellys3ps@sbcglobal.net and I will send it to you! :)

If they get the work done I sent home - awesome! If they do above and beyond - even better! If their parent goes completely off course and does their own thing - fantastic! Maybe they need to do this to help ease their fears and stresses.  Let them!

I am not going to hold their individual circumstances against them, and neither should you!  Most states are making concessions because this is all NEW to all of us!

Those are just a few of my tips based on day 2 of this crazy experience of teaching my students remotely!  I will be sharing more tips and ideas as I have them here on the blog, on my Facebook page, and through email.  If you have any PLEASE share with me as well!

Before you go - head on over to my giveaway page to enter our current giveaways for Teachers pay Teachers gift cards! I know those will come in handy right now!

Hang in there teachers!  We've got this!

Multiples Math Game

I recently played a game with my students to practice their multiplication skills and think of a strategy to challenge their fellow students.  My students had so much fun with it, that I thought I would share it with you so that you could play it with your students as well!

This post contains affiliate links. I earn a small commission each time someone makes a purchase using one of my links, which helps to support the blog.  All opinions are my own and I only promote brands and products that I have used myself and truly love.  

To begin the game, I wrote out factors on a handful of index cards. I used the digits 2-9.

When we first started playing, I had my students work with their table groups, then we switched to a whole group format.

The object of the game is to write a multiplication fact or sentence that no one else has written and solve it correctly to stay in the game.  Each table group was assigned a factor to use in all of their facts.

Using whiteboards, the students all quickly write a multiplication fact using their factor.  They reveal their fact all at the same time.  If all students write a different fact, and solve them correctly, all students continue to the next round.

For example, one table was assigned the factor 9. Students could write any multiplication fact with 9.  As you can see above, the students wrote:

9 X 9 = 81

9 X 8 = 72

and

9 X 11 = 99

Students try to think of a fact that no one else will write.  If two students wrote 9 X 8 = 72, they would be out of the game.  If a student solved the fact incorrectly, they would be out of the game.  The game continues until you are down to one or two students.

My students began to push themselves to think beyond the basic facts to multiplying by hundreds, thousands, and millions.  Some of them used double digit multiplication such as 18 X 9.  It was a great game with a low floor and a high ceiling so that each student could play at their own level.

Once my students were "pro" at the game we played whole class as you can see in the video below:

If you play this game with your students, I would love to hear how it goes!

If you don't want to miss out on the other math games I share, be sure to subscribe to my weekly newsletter for more games like this, freebies, giveaways, sales, and more!

And... before you go, head on over to our giveaway page to enter our current giveaways!

Easter Color By Number Worksheets

These adorable Easter Color By Number Worksheets are a fun Easter activity to help your elementary students to practice their math facts! The Addition Facts Easter Color by Number Worksheets are perfect for your first grade and second grade students!  Third grade and fourth grade students can practice multiplication with the Multiplication Facts Easter Color By Number printables.

This post contains affiliate links. I earn a small commission each time someone makes a purchase using one of my links, which helps to support the blog.  All opinions are my own and I only promote brands and products that I have used myself and truly love.  

To celebrate Easter in my classroom, I like to give my students fun, no-prep Easter math worksheets like these color by number sheets where they can practice skills such as addition, and multiplication,  while coloring fun Easter themed coloring pictures!

I currently have  addition and multiplication math facts versions of these items.  If you have a request for additional skills, leave a comment below!

Each math facts set comes with (6) Easter themed color by number pages and answer keys.

These Easter color by code pages are also available (with just about every other holiday) in my money saving color by number bundles.

 Color By Number Multiplication Facts Holidays Growing Bundle

 Color By Number Addition Facts Holidays Growing Bundle 

Pull out the crayons or markers and help make Easter in the classroom a bit calmer and more productive with these Easter math fact printables!

Other Holiday Color By Number Sets Available

New Year's Color By Number
Christmas Color By Number
100th Day of School Color By Number

Martin Luther King Jr. Color By Number
Valentine's Day Color By Number
Groundhog Day Color By Number
Mardi Gras Color By Number
St. Patrick's Day Color By Number

Helping Your Child Learn at Home

One of the questions I get from parents of my students is "What can I do to support my child's learning at school?"  They may ask this because their child is struggling in a subject, because they need acceleration opportunities, or because they will be missing school for illness, vacation or family emergencies.

This post contains affiliate links. I earn a small commission each time someone makes a purchase using one of my links, which helps to support the blog.  All opinions are my own and I only promote brands and products that I have used myself and truly love.  

Here are a few fun learning activities for kids you can do at home:

1. Read. Read. Read some more.

The number one thing I tell parents to have their child do if they are going to be absent for any reason is to read.

Studies have shown time and time again, that students who read more become better readers and students!  If you are looking for some book suggestions for 3rd-5th graders, you can find some great ones here.

2. Play Games

I have found in the classroom that the more I have my students play games to learn, the more they love learning!  You can play just about any traditional board game to practice social skills such as turn taking and cooperation, but my students also love playing academic games like the ones below.

You can also just have your child throw a pair of dice to practice a variety of skills from basic math facts (rolling two dice) or long division (using multiple dice). 

3. Provide Daily Spiral Review Practice

One of the reasons why students fall behind when they miss school, is because they miss concepts that may or may not ever be introduced or practiced again.  I like to give my students spiral review practice throughout the year so that not only will the students who are absent will not miss instruction, but also, so that ALL students will have repeated opportunities to practice skills throughout the year.

I use these workbooks in my class as daily homework.  You can also purchase them to use at home with your child as well. If your child is behind, you may want to order the grade level one year below as well.  If your child needs acceleration, get a grade level ahead.

You can find other books available in this series here.

4. Provide Practice For Essential Skills

When students know essential skills such as math facts, letter sounds, spelling, etc. it makes it so much easier for them to learn new skills in class.  

I encourage my parents to practice math facts with their students using games like the ones above or with color by number math fact worksheets.  My students LOVE these!

I have these available for most of the holidays of the year on Teachers pay Teachers or Amazon.

Bonus FREEBIE

You can grab an addition and multiplication sample of my Unicorn math facts sets free here.


The full unicorn math facts sets are listed below:

Unicorn addition facts color by number

Unicorn multiplication facts color by number

There are also a lot of great apps on cell phones to practice facts as well!

Practice spelling using the things around you.  Ask your child to spell microwave, refrigerator, cell phone, etc.  As they are spelling focus on the sounds they hear in each word.  Are their any other words that use those patterns?  For example, what other words have a ph that make the "f" sound they hear in phone.  They might say, "photograph,  nephew, or dolphin."

When your child asks you how to spell a word, don't just tell them, but see what sounds they can figure out on their own.

5. Write!

When I was a child, I loved carrying around notebooks and writing to my heart's content!  Many of my students do too, but many really struggle with writing. One way to encourage those students to write more is by keeping a journal that you and your child each write notes to each other.  Start with smaller notes and gradually increase the length of your own responses to your child.  You will see theirs grow as well.

Another way to get them writing is to ask them to write a story about their favorite tv show or video game.  My reluctant writers really love writing about Minecraft or Pokemon!

You could also write interactive stories with your child with each of you taking turns writing sentences for the same story.

Some of my other Teacher friends have shared some ideas for learning at home as well!  Head on over to read their ideas!

Paula at Paula's Preschool (Perfect for your little ones!)

Melissa from Peas in a Pod (Resources for K-6)

St. Patrick's Day Color By Number

St. Patrick's Day Color by Number worksheets are a fun way to celebrate the holiday! Build your students' math fact fluency for addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division with these St. Patrick's Day coloring pages! 

To celebrate St. Patrick's Day in my classroom, I like to give my students fun, no-prep St. Patrick's Day math worksheets like these color by number sheets where they can practice skills such as addition, and multiplication,  while coloring fun St. Patrick's Day themed coloring pictures!

This post contains affiliate links. I earn a small commission each time someone makes a purchase using one of my links, which helps to support the blog.  All opinions are my own and I only promote brands and products that I have used myself and truly love.  

I currently have addition subtraction, multiplication, and division math facts versions of these items. 

For younger students, I have this number recognition subitizing/counting set.

 I also have a figurative language set and homophones set. 

If you have a request for additional skills, leave a comment below!

Each math facts set comes with (8) St. Patrick's Day themed color by number pages and answer keys.

These St. Patrick's Day color by code pages are also available (with just about every other holiday) in my money saving color by number bundles.

 Color By Number Multiplication Facts Holidays Growing Bundle

 Color By Number Addition Facts Holidays Growing Bundle 

Buy now and save by getting all additional versions for FREE!

Pull out the crayons or markers and help make Presidents' Day in the classroom a bit calmer and more productive with these Presidents' Day of School printables!

Other Holiday Color By Number Sets Available

New Year's Color By Number
Christmas Color By Number
100th Day of School Color By Number

Martin Luther King Jr. Color By Number
Valentine's Day Color By Number
Groundhog Day Color By Number
Presidents' Day Color By Number
Mardi Gras Color By Number