“invent a bird”: innovating in an unusual time
This article presents the educational innovations of elementary school teachers in France during the COVID-19 pandemic as well as the enabling conditions. A study was conducted to understand how the teaching practices of 24 teachers evolved during the confinement and deconfinement phases. The results of semi-directed interviews and time-use diaries show that these innovative practices were enabled by four conditions: lower pressure to teach and learn, strong parental engagement, the mobilization of work collectives, and upgraded digital skills.