In Poland, Maine, social studies teacher Logan
Landry placed cardboard cutouts of historical
figures like Henry Ford and George Washington
at some seats to keep up social distancing
at Bruce M. Whittier Middle School, where
instruction time has been cut in half by the
hybrid model.
Last fall, he discussed the election as it unfolded
with his seventh grade students, but he had
to trim some lessons on the U.S. Constitution,
including a review of documents about how it
protects against tyranny in government.
He and other teachers are “in communication
with the other grade levels, so they’re aware
of what might be lacking in a particular area,”
Landry said. “But I’m really hoping that they will
get that at a later grade level, especially going to
high school.”
The challenge of shorter classes is compounded
by attendance problems. Students stay away for
weeks at a time for quarantine or other reasons,
adding to the amount of material they miss. But
in the time he has with students on in-person
learning days, Landry said, they are more eager
to learn than ever.
“That positivity really helps me in the
classroom,” he said.
In every other school year, English teacher Cristin
Espinoza in Denver would have her ninth grade
students read graphic novels in groups modeled
on book clubs. It was difficult for her to accept
that the groups would not be possible this year.
“Not only do I love teaching it, but students love
learning through a different lens,” she said. “So
it’s been really unfortunate to have to realize this
can’t happen.”
Image: Robert F. Bukaty
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