Hey, teachers. What a crazy time it is right now. You may be doing all these things already, but here are six ways I am trying to prepare as coronavirus gets closer to my area. There are a few confirmed cases in my state and several nearby in DC. Here is how I am preparing for coronavirus right now.

1) Revisit hand-washing and sneeze covering practices.

I would also tell students to limit hugs, high fives, or hand shakes right now. Be careful not to alarm students, but remind them of how important it is to protect themselves and others during this phase of the coronavirus outbreak. The CDC has tips for talking about coronavirus with children here.

2) Double check all contact information

Make sure your email an phone lists are accurate for parents/guardians. Get parents to respond to an emails and follow up on the ones who don’t with a phone call. Print a few master copies of the information and keep one at school and at home.

3) Start setting up procedures for remote learning

Your school may not need to close, but in the event that it does, you will want an easy way to communicate with students. I would recommend starting with Google classroom. I have a separate post with tips on setting this up here.

4) Find out which students don’t have internet at home

Make an alternate plan for them and make sure you have their home mailing addresses.

5) Write sub plans

You never know when you might be sick or be forced to quarantine. Keep at least one week of work somewhere near your desk that’s easy to find if you have a last minute absence. If possible, prepare two weeks of plans.

6) Start to plan out online learning activities

I use Google classroom to communicate with students. They can submit written assignments like reading responses, reading logs, or creative writing.

Look into the online programs you have set up already and which ones you may start with students. Make sure students have their login information somewhere that will go home with them like the front of their agenda. *Coming Soon* are some novel studies I’ve created that are printable or can be completed and shared in Google docs.