Joppa Elementary Implements New Reading Curriculum

Teachers began planning for the new ELA curriculum in July. The added component of the COVID-19 pandemic and students learning in-person as well as on-line made learning a new curriculum even more daunting. “The challenging thing with the new curriculum is that it creates many opportunities for students to work together, but with COVID-19 we are struggling to utilize these great opportunities”, says third grade teacher Jennifer Stout. However, teachers have found ways to allow students to continue to work together while also social distancing. Fifth grade teacher Jennifer Gowan uses a computer app that lets students collaborate by typing their thoughts and replying to each other by virtual “sticky notes”. Sixth grade teacher Sara Hodge has her students reflect on the day’s lesson and briefly share one thing they learned with a fellow student while wearing their masks being mindful of their distancing.

