
When
Signal
Hill
Elementary
School
fifth-grade
teacher,
Michael
Parker,
sought
feedback
from
parents
about
how
virtual
instruction
was
going,
he
discovered
a
common
theme
in
the
responses
he
received.
Students
were
enjoying
the
academic
portion
of
online
learning,
but
the
social
connection,
so
important
for
social-emotional
well-being,
was
limited.
"I
realized
that
a
significant
part
of
the
educational
experience
was
missing,"
said
Parker.
"In
school,
teachers
spend
a
lot
of
time
talking
with
their
students
and
getting
to
know
them.
That
builds
trust
and
allows
the
students
to
be
more
willing
to
open
up
and
take
chances
in
instructional
settings.
So,
it's
important
time
that
allows
the
students
to
connect
with
each
other
and
the
teacher
to
connect
and
build
relationships
with
the
students."
Hence
the
institution
of
"Mr.
Parker's
social
hours,"
a
weekly
optional
student-led
Zoom
session
held
one
afternoon
each
week
where
everyone
gets
to
know
each
other
better.
Participation
commonly
ranges
from
seven
to
13
students
and
discussion
topics
may
include
video
gaming,
all-terrain
vehicles
(ATVs),
favorite
football
teams,
and
what
your
pet
is
up
to
that
day.
Shown
from
every
angle
of
cage,
perch,
or
cushion,
cameo
appearances
from
the
pets
themselves
are
also
very
common.
In
addition
to
general
chatting,
an
added
benefit
to
the
meetings
is
that
it
has
provided
an
opportunity
for
a
couple
of
Parker's
students
who
are
new
to
Signal
Hill
Elementary
this
year
to
meet
classmates
and
build
friendships,
minimizing
loneliness
and
the
anxiety
of
attending
a
new
school.
"Anyone
can
choose
to
attend;
they
can
pop
in
and
out
if
they
want,"
shared
Parker.
"It's
their
time
to
do
what
they
want
(with
some
reasonable
limitations),
and
I
moderate
and
use
the
time
to
learn
more
about
my
students,
build
relationships,
and
connect
with
them
on
a
more
personal
level.
Plus,
when
else
do
you
get
to
see
a
close
up
of
the
bottom
of
a
guinea
pig's
feet?"
These
social
times
have
become
so
successful
that
other
teachers
on
Parker's
team
are
incorporating
them
into
their
weekly
schedules.