Primary schools have to struggle
The primary schools 'one and a half meter style' are open for almost a week. How was it this week? The reunion with students is 'great' for teachers. Yet they also run into difficulties. "It will be hard work to get rid of the backlog."
Image: Editors Education Magazine
Very honest. Lalenya Veldkamp, group 6 teacher in Almere, was unhappy when Prime Minister Rutte announced the opening of the schools. "This is mainly because my husband has diabetes and is in the risk group." Still, after deliberation, she started this week. “It is good for the children to see them again physically. You can see better how the flag hangs from those heads. I could tell they have had quite a tough time. ” Veldkamp's school is located in a neighborhood where there are many social disadvantages.
She particularly noticed the disappeared structure. “It was out, they went to bed later and had little regularity. The students had to get used to the rules again and suddenly think again that they can say anything to you. ”
Teacher Veldkamp: 'It is good for the children to see them physically again. You can see better from those heads how the flag hangs'
Since the opening of the schools, Veldkamp's class is no longer a combination group with students from group 5. She only has group 6 students, of which she also took over part of a colleague. She saw significant backlogs in the latter group. "They are about eight to ten weeks behind," she says. “It will be hard work and always giving two language instructions, two maths. They have to work, they are long days. I think that's sad. ” The Education Inspectorate reported today that they also worry about backlogs.
On the facebook page of the AOb teachers shared their experiences. How well it went today. The children pick it all up quickly. With every change cloth about the puzzle or iPad. Wash hands and continue. They loved it again so much, a teacher responds. Another teacher especially liked working in a small group. Enjoyed! The children also found it very quiet and pleasant in the classroom.
Keep distance
Keeping your distance turns out to be difficult. For example, a teacher writes: 1,5 meters is really impossible, no matter how well the children and ourselves try. In another school, hand washing provides water ballets. You are constantly in supreme readiness. And washing hands six times a day makes for a big water ballet every time.
Teacher on Facebook: '1,5 meters is really impossible, no matter how well the children and we try'
Nicole Ter Harmsel, group 7 teacher at a primary school in the east of the country, keeping her distance was 'not disappointing' this week. She teaches half a class a day, about nine students, who alternate between coming to school. “It usually worked,” she says. “If they do get too close, I say it positively and I say 'very nice', but now it is not possible.” She does miss it. "You don't do the running rounds and if a student doesn't understand something you don't join a child now."
Her duo partner Marianne Heutinck is also positive. “In the beginning, the 1,5 meters feels unnatural and it takes some getting used to. But as the day goes on, it becomes more familiar, ”she says. The students of these colleagues no longer receive video lessons. Heutinck: “We deliberately chose to give students 'homework'. These are extra assignments that they also do when they have finished the lesson. We consciously do the instruction and processing in the classroom. That is going well, we do a lot digitally so we can see what the students have made. ”
Online lessons have also stopped in Almere near Veldkamp. “There are four children who are not at school. They do not receive separate video lessons, but participate virtually in the classroom. ”
Breaks
The subject 'pause' *In frequently asked questions on our website we have also shared a question on this topic. comes back more often in comments as something more difficult. Veldkamp has practically no break. “I find it more intensive, I come in at 8:3 and at XNUMX in the afternoon I don't have a break until the children have left. Only two groups are allowed outside at the same time. So everyone has to go with their own group. ”
The break is better organized at Ter Harmsel's school in the east of the country. “Normally, groups 5 to 8 are outside at the same time. Now groups 7 and 8 have a break together. One group plays on a field, the other on the square. The colleagues who do not have a class do the square watch with us. That is a different task and especially for now. Normally the teachers are on duty. ”
Supporters
Education support staff noticed this week that they sometimes get different tasks. In the Facebook group 'Oop also participates' a poll was held. Oop'er Rosalinde Stins is in that group and is the main driver at the AOb. In the poll, most supporters indicated that they carry out their normal activities. Still, after that, standing in front of a split class was the option that Oopers ticked most often. Providing emergency care for children with a crucial profession is another task that often comes back.
Education support worker Stins: 'Normally I stand with the teacher in front of a group of 35 students in group 6. They have been split into three and I now also stand for part of the class'
Stins: "Normally I stand with the teacher in front of a group of 35 students in group 6. It has been split into three and I am now also standing in front of part of the class. That is sometimes double, because I am not a teacher, but it is only about eight students. Moreover, the teacher prepares the lessons and I don't have to figure it out on my own." On Wednesdays, Stins provides emergency care for students whose parents have a crucial profession. "I notice that oop'ers are used very differently."
Ter Harmsel is happy with the new start. “For now it is nice to be at school, to see that look in the eyes of students. We just can't high-five. Well, we'll do that later."
Also view the FAQ that the AOb has collected, including about the school opening.
