Hybrid Teaching
Are you hybrid teaching? Or know a teacher teaching in the classroom and online? These make great gifts or self-buys to make the stressful job of hybrid teaching easier!
Technology for Hybrid Teaching
A Drawing Tablet
Do your online students struggle to see the board while live streaming? Or the pre-made slide decks not offer enough flexibility as your lesson changes to meet the needs of your students? A drawing tablet is a MUST for anyone hybrid teaching! Easily connect it to your computer, use a drawing app (Kami®, the app included with your device, or other), and share your screen to make your anchor charts visible to all! Drawing tablets come in a range of prices, making it fit any gift giving budget. This one is my favorite. Both economical and worry-free, it’s the best of both worlds.
A Document Camera
These have been in high demand since the start of distance learning, and for good reason! A document camera is a MUST HAVE for any teacher who is hybrid teaching! Easily connect it to your computer and stream any activity over your video conferencing while projecting it for your in person students. Document cameras make it easy to have online students and in person students working on the same task simultaneously. To be successful hybrid teaching, planning once and using twice is key! Document cameras make it easy to have online and in person activities working at the same time. Here is the one I use.
A USB Microphone
Do your online students struggle to hear your lessons? Are they distracted by their in class peers? A big problem hybrid teaching is often the online students cannot hear the teacher as they walk around the room. A USB microphone connects to the computer and feeds sound directly to the video conferencing software. This takes out any background noise from in-person students, helping online students focus. This is the one I like!
In Classroom Must Haves for Hybrid Teaching
Planner
Hybrid teaching has twice the students, and requires twice the planning! Keep everything organized in a one stop shop planner. Use the side by side columns to easily view hybrid and in person lessons at the same time. This makes it easy to see where you can reuse lesson plans, use activities simultaneously or give assessments together when hybrid teaching! A good planner is key to staying organized and keep yourself on track while managing face to face and online learning. I love the Happy Planner and this digital version from Kristi DeRoche!
Phone Stand
The key to hybrid teaching is: REUSE, REUSE, REUSE! A phone stand makes it easy to record your lessons to then upload to your learning platform for your online students to access. Easily edit videos and sound on your phone and it is good to go for your online students! Or, use it to review with in-person students as well. Recording lessons when hybrid teaching gives teachers flexibility when instructing students. This is a great option!
Flexible Seating
A challenge of hybrid teaching is meeting in-person learning protocols while meeting the needs of your online students. Flexible seating is a great way to keep your face to face students engaged and focused on independent tasks, while you run your online small groups! While my students love the fancy flexible seating, like lap desks, the carpet or squares marked around the room (or under tables!) are also a fun way to change it up. These flexible seating options are easy to clean and a must have for anyone hybrid teaching! Grab my favorites here, here and here.
Decodable Readers
Teachers who are hybrid teaching have to work smarter not harder! Using decodable readers that offer both a printable and an online version are a great way to engage both face to face and online students. When students read the same text you can engage them in conversation and encourage peer-to-peer learning. These decodable readers are a hit with both my face to face and online students!
Get the most out of your decodable readers when teaching hybrid! Use these tips to help!
Self Care Gifts for Hybrid Teachers
Teachers love when people take the extra time to ask – what do you like to do? Those who are hybrid teaching are swamped and find it challenging to take time for themselves. Use these gifts to help your favorite hybrid teacher kick back and relax.
New Books
Does your hybrid teacher love to read? Grab a few classics, or one that speaks to their interest and you’ve got a great, affordable teacher gift. You can grab books about hybrid teaching, teaching reading online or you can go for more fun reads like mysteries or the latest best seller. Books are always a great gift for teachers! It’s also a great way to shop local and support for favorite book store. Check out mine here.
Favorite Hobby
What does your hybrid teacher like to do? Paint, crochet, visit the beach? Find out and grab some materials they can use! Do they like to hike? Grab some socks! Are they a crafter? Grab some paintbrushes and canvas. The possibilities are endless and your teacher is sure to love the thought and care into this personalized gift.
Favorite Coffee
More work, less sleep. That’s the teacher way, especially when balancing online and face to face learning. What a perfect fit for caffeine! Ask your teachers favorite coffee or to-go drink shop. Grab a gift card, or some swag and put it with a handmade card. Your teacher will love to get ready for a day of hybrid teaching with her favorite cup of Joe (or iced-tea if you’re like me!). Another great time to shop local, check out my favorite go-to spot!
Favorite Candy
My snack drawer is my go-to after a long day of hybrid teaching! My drawer is filled with all sorts of chocolate: Twix, Reeses, mini Chocolate Rice Cakes, and cookie dough Quest bars are a few of my favorite must-haves. What does your hybrid teacher like to munch on? Go ahead and grab some! A favorite, thoughtful treat is sure to put a smile on your teachers face. Be sure to check out your local grocery or candy spot – they’ll have what you need! My favorite is here, they even ship!
The Best Gift of All for Anyone Hybrid Teaching
Teachers are doing their best day in and day out creating double the lesson plans and double the curriculum. Are you wondering the best gift for your teacher? A sweet, thoughtful note about how their teaching has helped your family and child. It may sound cheesy, but it is true “teachers are in it for the outcome, not the income”. A handwritten, thoughtful, personal note is the only gift anyone hybrid teaching needs to put a smile on their face and feel appreciated this holiday season.
Are you a hybrid teacher? Check out some of my strategies for teaching digital small groups!
What are your must haves for hybrid teaching? Drop me a note below to share your favorite tools!
Kristan Lachance says
Everything is very helpful, thank you! By the way your quote is backwards!!! Teachers are in it for the OUTCOME…😅…you’ve got to fix that!
~Kristan Lachance
Maggie Rose Bennion says
Thank you! Hybrid teaching has my brain mush sometimes! – Maggierose