Friday, March 13th was the last day of regular classes at Vinton-Shellsburg for the 2019-2020 school year. In Iowa and around the world news of the COVID-19 virus had become increasingly worrisome when on Sunday, March 15th, Iowa’s Governor Kim Reynolds recommended that schools close until mid-April. What schools would be doing for the remainder of the school year was suddenly up in the air as teachers accustomed to teaching in classrooms were without students
Below we’ve given some examples of how our Difference Makers are making the best out of this situation.
Mrs. Steffen tasked her students with an assignment to make a video describing what they pandemic has meant to each of them. The catch? Students were to use 4 words to describe what this time in history meant for them. The four words could be combined to make a phrase or could be 4 separate words that described different dynamics.
Some students, like Brynn P., Grade 10, demonstrated the importance that our decisions make on those around us
Some grieved for the experiences they collectively lost this school year
Raeganne N., Grade 10, used the opportunity to be a voice for the residents at the nursing home she works at.
Others chose to add a little humor or creativity to their projects by adding music, dance moves, and text. For a collection of student videos, click here.
Here are some more examples of how our teachers have gone above and beyond to make the best out of distance learning.