This morning, less than 24 hours after Israel announced the shuttering of schools as part of the country’s measures to curb the spread of the coronavirus, my fourth grader was already online in a Zoom class chat with his teacher.
The regular school day would have started at 8 a.m. Today’s class began at 9 a.m.
The first part of the class call was to ensure everyone knew how to connect.
The rest of the chat focused on how digital learning works, what the teacher plans to do in digital lessons, and, of course, talking about and hearing what the kids think about the coronavirus.
As a parent eavesdropping from the side, it was an amazing Good Morning for the kids.
Each child got a turn (or three) to talk, to give their “expert” opinion on the virus, and to talk about what they’re doing.
The kids also asked if they need permission to go to the bathroom. They don’t.
They wanted to know if they can throw out a wrapper of something they ate. They can.
It was all very exciting. Some of the kids shared their screens with a younger sibling or pet. Others brought toys to show their friends and teacher.
I loved watching my son shout at the multiple screens only to realize (or not) that no one actually heard him. Until the teacher said, your turn.
It may have been the most orderly classroom experience yet. Next class: Sunday.
