I have been tutoring 3rd grade virtual students after school once a week. There are rarely more than 3 students who tune in. It’s on Monday; what can I expect? I actually prefer the small group. The planning for these meetings has been a challenge because I am not completely familiar with 3rd grade standards. I usually focus on a writing skill. This week when I checked on what third graders are learning, I found similes. That was a topic I could get my head around.
I created a slide show with some simile examples and a writing activity. Only one student came. D does not show his face or turn on his mike because there is a lot going on in his house. I often wonder if he is paying attention at all. When I asked him what a simile was, silence.
“Are you with me?”
In the chat box, “yes”.
“Do you know what it is?”
“no”
“Let me show you.”
I showed examples and then asked him to find the simile in a passage. He got it. We then moved on to the poem. Have you ever written a poem with a student you cannot see or hear? With discussion (me talking, him typing), we got through it. For taste and sound, I gave him some ideas to choose from.
“Do you have any clothing that is lime green?”
“A shirt”
“Where did you get that shirt?”
“school”
“Oh, it’s the Spirit Shirt you can wear on Friday?”
“yes”
So I typed “feels like Friday” as well as the line “Lime green reminds me of the shirt I wear to school on Spirit Days.”
We had “It smells like…” to fill in.
By then he had gotten the idea. He typed, “outside.” Perfect!
D unmuted long enough to read his poem out loud. I heard the pride in his voice. And then he said, “Thanks. I learned something today.” There it was, all I needed to smile.
Reflections on the Teche 
Patience comes through so clearly in this piece. Your patience to teach across a screen with only chat box monosyllable answers to your questions. Your student’s patience as he step by step learned to grow a poem filled with similes. Next time you “see” D, tell him a teacher from VA enjoyed his poem!
Sally, Thanks so much for your comment. I was hoping it would seem I was patient and not trying to put words into his mouth, but I was happy he felt successful. Some days that is all that matters.
Ah, the challenges! Good for you and for D. that he stayed and learned something. I think most teachers are getting the experience of teaching students they can’t see or hear, and it’s really hard.
What a breakthrough for D. The fact that he turned in and stayed is an accomplishment. Who would have thought at the beginning of this lesson he would have walked away with such success. Beautiful!
Smiling with you! What a success! (I’ve got a couple of D’s in my virtual classroom…we need all the smiles and successes we can get, no matter how small!)
Oh my teacher heart is bursting for and with you. That is wonderful on so many levels. I am hoping that D will “chime” in on the Chat and then maybe once again unmute himself. The poem is a good model for others for sure. Teachers and kids alike. Bravo!
Thank, Janet, I thought about giving him a model to start with which may have helped some, but in the end, I felt good about it. Maybe it was just his sweet satisfaction that pleased me so.
Love! “I learned something today” – music to a teacher’s ears! Ruth, thereisnosuchthingasagodforsakentown.blogspot.com
I love it! I’m glad you were able to connect–even without seeing or hearing your student. I appreciate your patience…and the success.
Kim
I wish I had been tutored by you when I was a kid!! What a lovely story.
>
I love your empathy, persistence, and joy! How lucky that little poet had you to coax him forward.
What a lovely poem and that he unmuted to read it to you. Also to say that he learned something. How rewarding is that!
“D unmuted long enough to read his poem out loud. I heard the pride in his voice. And then he said, “Thanks. I learned something today.” There it was, all I needed to smile.” Joy and rewarding for both D and you! Great poem and powerful slice.