We are getting bombarded with questions about our virtual teaching.
Here are the answers to the most common questions:
Virtual SetUp:

- 2 computers-the laptop on the stand is from Microsoft Teams for our live stream. The other is for playing music and is connected to the smartboard and document camera.
- I am not using an extra microphone, just the regular computer microphone
- Screen sharing has been causing some issues so we use the document camera to show materials on the smartboard. It works well. I recommend a Hue document camera.
- The document camera is connected to my laptop which is connected to the smartboard. This allows easy switching between showing the laptop screen or document camera
- I keep all of the materials for the week on the shelves so I have everything I need.
- I am using my regular computer speakers to play our songs and it works great.
- The laptop stand is from Amazon. I chose it because it raises up and swivels. CLICK HERE FOR TO GET THE STAND.
- I am using the camera on the laptop for our live lessons. I am recording the lessons with my iPhone.
Schedule And Requirements
- We have a full day schedule.
- We have 2 hours of LIVE teaching using Microsoft Teams. We only use Teams for live video. We do not use any of the teaching features.
- We are working up to the 2 hours. Right now we’re at an hour or so. We do the whole 2 hours in one block so we don’t force the families to log on and off. We give breaks throughout.
- We are recording the live lessons each day and sharing those with families who cannot be there live. This allows everyone access to the learning.
- Science and social studies will be integrated into the Live ELA lessons. We will also be doing Mad Science Thursday LIVE. This will begin in a few weeks.
- We use Schoology for our learning management platform. Students/families log in to Schoology every day to access the link for the live meeting. This also marks them as present for the day.
- We’re using Remind to communicate with families.
- Students will attend related/arts and specials as well as small groups in the afternoon. This will begin happening in 2 weeks.
- We have office hours for one on one assistance if needed/requested by families. We will use these office hours to assess students using ESGI.
- I am delivering paper packets to families each week. This is not a requirement but a personal choice. I believe they need these hands on experiences. I will deliver them each week in a safe porch drop off. This will also allow me to see my students and build relationship. As students complete the daily activities, families send pictures of the work.
- Students will also be assigned weekly lessons from the Florida Virtual School to complete at their own pace. These will be used for our grades.

Music
- We have a playlist on iTunes that we play music from. This makes it easy to just click a song to play.
- You can see our playlist by clicking HERE!
- The songs we sing as a class each day are: A Beautiful Day by Jack Hartmann, Alphardy by Dr. Jean, Alien Alphabet by Intellitunes and Alphabet Zoo by Jack Hartmann.
Participation
- Students are engaged and participating. I taught them to mute and unmute themselves and they’re doing great.
- I sent home a visual rules poster for virtual learning and that helps. I am also setting expectations for sitting up, being still, looking at the screen, etc. This is definitely helping. The rules poster is in our virtual learning freebie linked below.
- We used visuals for mute and unmute and that worked great. The clipart we used is from Creating 4 The Classroom and can be found HERE!
- The kids do have family/parent/sibling support. It was great to have that help.
- We do explicit discussions of rules and procedures and expectations. Just as we do in the classroom. We will continue to do this daily. As we set the expectations the kids have responded well.
- We are using the wireless doorbell. It works great. You can read about the doorbell and get your own doorbell HERE.
- We are using our regular resources with great success (Bootcamp, research projects, Read It Up, etc). The kids are responding well to the lessons.
All of our posts for virtual learning are here:

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44 comments
What type of document camera do you use?
It’s a camera from Alive Studios Kit but I recommend a Hue document camera.
For your “Rules” poster that was sent home, did it have rules/expectations for remote learning?
Yes!
Love the post! Where can we find the freebie rules poster for virtual teaching?
It’s in our Schedulin’ Sunday post from last week
What kind of tripod is being used for the smartphone, please?
It’s a tripod from Amazon Basics. https://amzn.to/2XKpje2
What are you using to hold your phone to record on? What is the brand?
It’s a tripod from Amazon Basics. https://amzn.to/2XKpje2
How do you record your lessons?
With my iPhone
Hi there! Loved watching your virtual first day yesterday! Last night I found the link to your visual cue cards for mute and sound on. I was going to purchase in teachers pay teacher today. However, for some reason I can’t find the link today. If you could direct me to the correct spot on your website I would appreciate it!
Here you go: https://bit.ly/VirtualMeetingKidsClipart
Hello- We are starting in a few weeks and I have been following along on your journey. I thought that I opened a file once that had a few of the visuals for mute, unmute, and camera. I don’e think that they were the ones linked to the big TPT file but now I can’t find them. Can you point me in the right direction? Thanks!
Here’s the link to the clipart on TPT: https://bit.ly/VirtualMeetingKidsClipart
Love your setup!! When looking at the smart board on teams how do you keep words from showing in reverse? Also could I eliminate the 2nd laptop by connecting the doc camera to my smart board?
Hi there! I just purchased your ABC and Number Bootcamp (insert happy dance here!). I was wondering how you are going to go about ABC bootcamp and Number bootcamp this year virtually? My district just told us we were going virtual TODAY! Thank you.
I’m going to do it pretty much like normal. They will watch me do the circle charts in the classroom. I’ll be sharing more soon!
Can you give us an idea of what you did 1st day with your kids? I know they won’t be able to start on seesaw right away but wanted to know what your first day looked like.
Check out the 1st Day blog post: https://bit.ly/VirtualTeachingDay1
I just bought the instant replay. I have a couple of silly questions. The ad says its available for only 4 days? Does that mean once I open it I only have 4 days to watch it? Also can I rewind and rewatch it. Thanks so much for all you all do.
You have 4 days from the day you register. There isn’t a rewind function. You can pause it but can’t rewind.
What device do you use to see the kids in your meeting raising their hands?
Hmmm….not sure what you mean? I don’t use a “device” for that. I can see them all in the squares on my screen.
Hi! Thank you for sharing all that you do! I love my doorbell but have issues keeping it on my lanyard. I have tried hot glue and clothes pin (which breaks). It looks like it’s in a unicorn case. Thank you.
It’s a hand sanitizer holder from bath & body works
[…] Here is a video of using the digital and printed version. I am using the digital version to model counting and the students are using the printed version to count. (NOTE: I deliver weekly packets so they have the printed materials at home. Please see our FAQ blog post fo… […]
On your first virtual day you played an alien alphabet song. What is the name of it so I can find it on youtube? Thanks for being so transparent Mr. Greg! I appreciate you!
https://bit.ly/AlienAlphabetIntellitunes
What website do you use to schedule students one on one? You said parents are able to access your schedule and enter themselves in the empty slots?
It’s called Bookings by Microsoft
I paid for the virtual webinar and never received all the things that go with it. I paid for the replay and it never sent me the free downloads. Can you please sent asap, I need it for teaching tomorrow. Thank you very much!
They were available during the actual webinar as noted on the registration page and during the actual webinar. Nothing was ever to be “sent.” All the links for downloading the items were made available during the webinar.
Hi! I attended your webinars and I loved the both of them! I was wondering where you got or if you sell those celebration cards that are taped to a popsicle stick? I think my kindergarteners would love them too. Thanks!
Never mind…I asked too soon. Just found out the answer as the webinar is ending. Thanks so much for giving your time to help other teachers!
🙂 Stay tuned to your email for the download!
Hi, could you please share with me links for your tall desk, chair (love the colors), letter and numbers on the wall, chart on wheels. I am also looking for a touch screen monitor for the wall. I hope you can make money on amazon for the sharing. This would be a great set up for my home. You have real talents, and any kid would be lucky to have you as their teacher.
Hi! The cart on wheels is called The Royal Inspiration. I got it on Donorschoose but if you google it, then it will come up. The letters & numbers on the wall are from our store. Here is the link: https://thekindergartensmorgasboardstore.com/products/orange-and-green-classroom-decor?variant=9868646809644
The chair is from WalMart and the cart that I am using as my desk, there is a link in the post you commented on. 🙂
Hi, I searched the post and could not find the link to the cart that holds your laptops. Its not the laptop stand itself, but the shelf cart on wheels. I am sure I am not looking in the right place. My wife said I am bugging you to much. SOrry. Thanks for the link on the chairs so much.
Found it! thanks
Please provide more info or link to the weekly lessons from the Florida Virtual School. Thanks
You can find all my lesson plans in the Resource Center right here on this website! 🙂