Friday, October 12, 2012

Communicate easily with kindergarten families with Remind 101

I love when technology makes life easier!

 Here's an easy free way to communicate important messages with your students' families- using Remind 101.

The app/website Remind 101 provides teachers a way to communicate quick messages to families (students).  It works with any phone that can receive texts, or families can sign up for email notifications. 
Teachers give parents a code to register for their class. Parents text the code in, provide a name to associate with the number and begin receiving your messages. Messages sent by the teacher are received through text message or email. 

 Teachers can schedule events in advance that will be sent to their families on the day and time they choose. Teacher are also able to see what messages have been sent as well as who received the message.   Families cannot text you back. You can sign up for my K tech notifications and I'll text occasionally when great apps are free or newly released!







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Sunday, October 7, 2012

Using iPads and other Technology with Kindergarten Seminars now available!

In June I was asked to develop and present a one day seminar on using technology with kindergartners.  Much like my blog, it will focus on using iPads and other amazing technologies with kindergartners. I am thrilled at the opportunity and hope to meet some of the readers of my blog there!  Here are the cities and dates for the seminars as well as a link to the seminar information:

Phoenix, Arizona on February 4th  http://www.iedseminars.org/bro.cfm?seid=KDH3W1-PHO

Denver, Colorado on February 5th  http://www.iedseminars.org/bro.cfm?seid=KDH3W1-DEN

Boston, Massachusetts on March 4th  http://www.iedseminars.org/bro.cfm?seid=KDH3W1-BOS

Detroit, Michigan on March 5th  http://www.iedseminars.org/bro.cfm?seid=KDH3W1-DET

If all goes well with the first four I may be in more cities next year! Let me know what you think and if you might come!


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Monday, October 1, 2012

#Kinderchat Talks About Technology in Kindergarten

Here are some of my favorite tweets from #kinderchat on Monday October 1st, 2012.  Remember, you can chat live with the #kinderchat 'hood' Mondays at 6pm ET/9PM PT

The topic was Tech goals/concerns this year.  I highly suggest following these amazing people if you don't already.  I didn't copy all the tweets- for an archive of the actual chat, see the last chat post I copied or head over to the kinderchat blog page, http://www.kinderchat123.net/

You can read down the page... usually in Twitter your read your way up from the oldest to the newest post; here I copied in the order (mostly) it showed up in the #kinderchat discussion

   Learning Today Looks Nothing Like Learning in the Pasthttp://t.co/h4Op6oNd #kinderchat -5:48 PM Oct 1st, 2012


 http://t.co/pWTxRyxl checking in for #kinderchat, our site curriculum is geared towards learners ages 2-6, excited about today's topic! -6:04 PM Oct 1st, 2012

     I want to provide many tech options and let them choose what they want to learn. #kinderchat -6:10 PM Oct 1st, 2012

    I have 2 goals: Continue to look for tech that promotes creativity and find tech that makes me excited about teaching#kinderchat -6:10 PM Oct 1st, 2012

    My goal/hope: to involve kids more in creating/maintaining  portfolios. Tks to  for inspiration. #kinderchat -6:11 PM Oct 1st, 2012

    #kinderchat my tech goal is to use it even though it is like slogging through quicksand. And to get off my  and advocate for better -6:11 PM Oct 1st, 2012
   Any favorite Kindergarten resources for social studies that you can recommend? #kinderchat -6:10 PM Oct 1st, 2012

   twitter, kinderchat play projects, google/apple maps #kinderchat -6:11 PM Oct 1st, 2012

    Goal: use to tech to capture student's learning and build their eportfolios #kinderchat -6:11 PM Oct 1st, 2012

     I hope to make my website the hub of communication with parents, use ip iclass when they arrive at the school. #kinderchat -6:12 PM Oct 1st, 2012

    My personal goal is to use less tech - but use it better. (if that makes any sense) #kinderchat -6:12 PM Oct 1st, 2012

    Hi, Jodi from MN. My goal is to find tech that supports diverse learners. #kinderchat -6:13 PM Oct 1st, 2012

    I also want to use tech to enhance learning not be the focus of the learning #kinderchat -6:14 PM Oct 1st, 2012

    #kinderchat i hope to integrate tech more. It's a challenge when you don't have a lot of resources. I want to get more creative this year. -6:14 PM Oct 1st, 2012

    #kinderchat my goal. Do online lesson planning so parents can see each lessons objective from home. -6:14 PM Oct 1st, 2012

    I just got 10 iP this week. Hooray! I want my kiddos to have a nice balance between tech & play #kinderchat -6:15 PM Oct 1st, 2012

    #kinderchat use tech to connect parents to their child's real learning experiences -6:15 PM Oct 1st, 2012
   I want my kids to see tech as a tool not only a toy#kinderchat -6:16 PM Oct 1st, 2012
   Another goal is to use tech to provide students with more control and ownership in their learning. #kinderchat -6:15 PM Oct 1st, 2012

     Skype is an amazing resource We do#skypeplay in timezone friendly ways, and #globalclassroom has great stuff too #kinderchat -6:17 PM Oct 1st, 2012

    #kinderchat our school is trying out showbie as a Canadian alternative to evernote for dig portfolios -6:18 PM Oct 1st, 2012

    I will be checking out Project Noah. http://t.co/p8NMz2aB"Citizen Scientists" #kinderchat -6:19 PM Oct 1st, 2012

    Question Two: What NEW tech tool, site, app will you be using this year? #kinderchat -6:16 PM Oct 1st, 2012

    Goal 2- using evernote for all my notetaking Photo for recording notes so I can throw papers away #kinderchat -6:18 PM Oct 1st, 2012

     New tech tool is Apple TV.... as soon as the network issues get sorted out and I can actually use it! #kinderchat -6:18 PM Oct 1st, 2012
   Using the new Spelling city app for my students and my children alot. #kinderchat -6:20 PM Oct 1st, 2012

    I also just got a SMART table this year #kinderchat kids took to it straight away, no demos or anything -6:19 PM Oct 1st, 2012

    New tool for me - adding Skitch to  system. Looks promising so far. #kinderchat -6:20 PM Oct 1st, 2012

    Just started Quadblogging today. #kinderchat -6:21 PM Oct 1st, 2012

    #kinderchat hi sorry to be late. This year I plan to start blogging earlier, set up class twitter & learn to use smart board effectively -6:21 PM Oct 1st, 2012

    I do. there are a bunch of premade lessons for it on Smart exchng and u can set it so it reads text to the kids #kinderchat -6:22 PM Oct 1st, 2012
   RT : RT : #kinderchat hi sorry to be late. This year I plan to start blogging earlier, set up class twitter & learn to use smart ... -6:22 PM Oct 1st, 2012
  
 Using iPad video camera, Google forms and a few apps (Dragon dictation) for data collection, observation and assessment.#kinderchat -6:21 PM Oct 1st, 2012
      I blogged how I do it here: http://t.co/Se4Kd3aU. #kinderchat -6:23 PM Oct 1st, 2012
   Does anyone know of a handwriting app that includes the "modern" or D'Nealian style? #1stchat #kinderchat -6:23 PM Oct 1st, 2012

 Question 3: How will you use tech to connect your class w/world. What goals do you have for that? #kinderchat -6:23 PM Oct 1st, 2012
    That's awesome! I worry for the Ks that just want to be plugged in, not really play, though. But I'm jealous!#kinderchat -6:23 PM Oct 1st, 2012
  
 I use evernote for personal/prof. I've found it difficult to collect student pieces in digital format quickly/efficiently. tips?#kinderchat -6:23 PM Oct 1st, 2012   Using iPad video camera, Google forms and a few apps (Dragon dictation) for data collection, observation and assessment.#kinderchat -6:21 PM Oct 1st, 2012

   I will be using my class website, http://t.co/eh6S8lEG, skitch and Skype along w/ ip apps for creating. #kinderchat -6:23 PM Oct 1st, 2012


    See description here http://t.co/1LR0H5pB#kinderchat -6:24 PM Oct 1st, 2012

    Letterschool app http://t.co/3eO7GNYG#1stchat #kinderchat -6:24 PM Oct 1st, 2012



   My goal for global collaboration is to continue with#skpeplay, K around world and postcard exchange #kinderchat -6:25 PM Oct 1st, 2012

   I participated in so many great collab projects last year I hope to continue to do so as well as come up with a few new ones.#Kinderchat -6:25 PM Oct 1st, 2012
 FYI: we will be chatting about  and digital portfolios during our next tech topic #kinderchat -6:26 PM Oct 1st, 2012
    I hope to #skypeplay 3 times per week, connect w/twitter for K Around the World and #flatclass projects.#kinderchat -6:26 PM Oct 1st, 2012
   Twitter & class blogs are great to spark connection between classes. Skype can be used to cement it and G-docs for shared work.#kinderchat -6:27 PM Oct 1st, 2012
   Takeaway from #kinderchat so far, teachers are using: Apple TV, Evernote, Google Hangout for global projects, and Smart boards/tables! -6:27 PM Oct 1st, 2012
    our staff like the combo of the iPad and Google forms, handy and portable. On the spot data collection.#kinderchat -6:27 PM Oct 1st, 2012

   A3: I like idea of skyping with kids in other countries that speak the language they're trying to learn #kinderchat how do you set it up? -6:27 PM Oct 1st, 2012
     hope to get in on some of that action! #skypeplay #flatclass #kinderchat -6:30 PM Oct 1st, 2012
   I loved how much of an authentic awareness my students gained last year of geography and global awareness through skype/twitter #kinderchat -6:31 PM Oct 1st, 2012
   Question 4: What are some simple ways to incorporate tech? (for newbies or those w/limited tech) #kinderchat -6:31 PM Oct 1st, 2012
 Just want to chime in that our site is free for public schools to use & for a limited time preschools & private schools. #kinderchat-6:31 PM Oct 1st, 2012
    #skypeplay and twitter are easy...all you need is one piece of tech. #kinderchat -6:33 PM Oct 1st, 2012
   My favorite tech tool is the dig camerahttp://t.co/maxkAIUN So easy to incorporate and most schools have them #kinderchat -6:34 PM Oct 1st, 2012
    Digital cameras (Fall, Numbers, colours, patterns) Do mini-units on these, have kids take photos/project/print off #kinderchat -6:36 PM Oct 1st, 2012
    Open a Class Twitter and tweet one thing the kids learned that day #kinderchat -6:35 PM Oct 1st, 2012
   Digital camera is a gateway technology, might lead to interest in digital storytelling tools, e portfolios..gr8 place to start#kinderchat -6:35 PM Oct 1st, 2012
   #kinderchat i stil love the Flip Camera for kids to Make a Movie. Dig camera vid is good, and use my iphone too -6:35 PM Oct 1st, 2012
      my K love Blobblewrite. #kinderchat -6:36 PM Oct 1st, 2012
   #kinderchat  I love the idea of snapping pictures to keep as documentation #specialedjustgoteasier! -6:37 PM Oct 1st, 2012
   I love that you're bringing the nations and global awareness at sych early age. #kinderchat -6:37 PM Oct 1st, 2012
    love giving the camera to the kids and seeing things from their point of view. #kinderchat -6:37 PM Oct 1st, 2012
   Symbaloo has been a big eye opener for many teachers. We have some great #kinderchat mixes here http://t.co/GKt9KO20 -6:38 PM Oct 1st, 2012
   A4: digital camera is the easiest thing to use and it's so good for portfolio building and gathering assessment #kinderchat -6:39 PM Oct 1st, 2012
   Trying a digital portfolio for one subject to start with might be less overwhelming too. :) #kinderchat -6:39 PM Oct 1st, 2012
 So, in other words, #kinderchat is also a support group for unofficial tech support staff. Good to know. -6:40 PM Oct 1st, 2012
     I'm thinking of bookmarking all those online storytelling sites and just letting my students have at it!#kinderchat -6:40 PM Oct 1st, 2012
   #kinderchat what is kind of funny, is i am now so complacent about what others see as cutting edge or "new" . This PLN is the edge -6:40 PM Oct 1st, 2012
   Tux paint is my go-to for initial work on computer.http://t.co/BvbE5xub And the kids can download to have at home too.#kinderchat -6:41 PM Oct 1st, 2012
    Daily update of class blog, main highlights of the day, well received by parents #kinderchat -6:42 PM Oct 1st, 2012
   QR codes have many applications for parent communication. #kinderchat -6:42 PM Oct 1st, 2012
   #kinderchat my class love blogging and tweeting their learning " can we blog/tweet this" is their Cath cry after every activity.-6:42 PM Oct 1st, 2012
    class daily blog updates and twitter#Kinderchat -6:44 PM Oct 1st, 2012
     I am trying for quantity over quality #kinderchat #begoodatsomething :) -6:44 PM Oct 1st, 2012
    Hands Down Family Facebook is a must for me. Love the "seen by" feature - #kinderchat -6:43 PM Oct 1st, 2012
   #kinderchat our iPads are our fav tech item. So many options. How are u using iPads. What is ur fav app? -6:43 PM Oct 1st, 2012
    A 12: I want my class blog to be more about learning stories and less about "this is what we're doing this week" #kinderchat -6:45 PM Oct 1st, 2012
    Haha yes. Smn asked me how I was so organized I said "I dont leave my camera's memory card full for 3 months." #kinderchat -6:45 PM Oct 1st, 2012
   I usually rely on my class blog for home school connection. I share content & resources I think are beneficial. #kinderchat -6:44 PM Oct 1st, 2012
   I send home a daily email with pictures from the day, including descriptions of the learning as needed #kinderchat -6:45 PM Oct 1st, 2012  

    My blog is linked to all parents' emails, so every post I make goes directly to them. #kinderchat#meetthemwheretheyreat -6:45 PM Oct 1st, 2012
   Grandparents, aunts and uncles, cousins etc back in far away lands love the class blog as well. #kinderchat -6:46 PM Oct 1st, 2012


     I like to add highlights of the week, something funny that made me laugh. Learning is fun!#kinderchat -6:46 PM Oct 1st, 2012

   You people who do daily e-mails/blog posts are my heroes. I could not maintain that level of commitment. #kinderchat -6:46 PM Oct 1st, 2012


    also parents are welcomed to leave comments on their kids eportfolios. #Kinderchat -6:46 PM Oct 1st, 2012

   My ultimate goal is to have no surprised parents at conference time regarding their child's progress. #kinderchat -6:46 PM Oct 1st, 2012
   I also have parents send in pictures of exciting things that happen at home. Share them with class #relationshipsmatter#kinderchat -6:47 PM Oct 1st, 2012
   Don't you guys sometimes feel no matter how simple tech can be, some parents STILL WON'T USE IT TO COMMUNICATE WITH YOU?!?! #kinderchat -6:48 PM Oct 1st, 2012
   I subscribe all the parents in my class to our class blog at the beginning of the year. I let the kids pressure them to comment.#kinderchat -6:48 PM Oct 1st, 2012
    um. yes. Parents who insist on paper newsletters/calendars are frustrating to me. #kinderchat -6:49 PM Oct 1st, 2012
    great point! If the kids are excited about the content they will be your biggest promoters #kinderchat -6:49 PM Oct 1st, 2012
    Some years are like that. This year no parents have subscribed to the class blog. I know they check it, but still.. #kinderchat -6:51 PM Oct 1st, 2012
   Biggest goal in sending home pictures daily is to give the kids a voice in their learning. I love that tech gives them a voice#kinderchat -6:51 PM Oct 1st, 2012
    But when they want ME to print it so THEY don't have to… Mystified. #kinderchat -6:52 PM Oct 1st, 2012
    remember the lurkers though. I thought only a handful of parents were engaged in commenting, but all were looking #kinderchat -6:53 PM Oct 1st, 2012
   Have any blog posts on tech you want to share? I'll start... using google docs for conf scheduling http://t.co/MDnSbB5f#kinderchat -6:53 PM Oct 1st, 2012
    My ENTIRE primary team thanks you for this post. We used it last week and LOVED. #kinderchat -6:54 PM Oct 1st, 2012
   Sending home pics gives kids the visual they need to recall details from their day, esp. useful for kids with spec. needs.#kinderchat -6:54 PM Oct 1st, 2012
    Have fun with it! My class loves tweeting every day. Parents see it on my blog, too, if they aren't on twitter. :-)#kinderchat -6:55 PM Oct 1st, 2012
   I know many people on #kinderchat use Here is a post on how I manage it http://t.co/Rrz3vKY9 -6:55 PM Oct 1st, 2012
  I love the #kinderchat symbaloo! Kids play together on games. -6:55 PM Oct 1st, 2012
    All our teachers have ditched newsletters for blogs. #kinderchat -6:55 PM Oct 1st, 2012
    Blogs are more interactive, flexible and can be updated daily. Parents all seem to prefer blogs as well. #kinderchat -6:58 PM Oct 1st, 2012
 My cutie kiddos explaining daily 5: read to selfhttp://t.co/FnsxS9eF #kinderchat -6:59 PM Oct 1st, 2012
    I know ... pics are SO accessible & fast now ... I still remember waiting for prints from negs #kinderchat#beforedigitalpics -6:59 PM Oct 1st, 2012
   My blog is here: http://t.co/VRglWs6J #kinderchat -6:59 PM Oct 1st, 2012
   I blog here http://t.co/N81CpehY and of course I have a pinterest page http://t.co/uSykDkY6 #kinderchat -6:59 PM Oct 1st, 2012
 Professional blog: http://t.co/WRGTIAuO Class blog:http://t.co/ld6NbLYH #kinderchat -7:00 PM Oct 1st, 2012
   You can visit me over at Miss Night's Marbles:http://t.co/UK4P8CU9 . Submit a question to Ask MIss Night!#kinderchat -7:00 PM Oct 1st, 2012
   #kinderchat thanks  and all involved. Great to be involved from Australia. Our class blog is http://t.co/AvqaChjv :)-7:00 PM Oct 1st, 2012
   Thank you for the great chat. I blog herehttp://t.co/Vh9EYofh #Kinderchat -7:01 PM Oct 1st, 2012
   My class blog is http://t.co/50OGWyAj and my personal blog is http://t.co/ch8drieC :-) #kinderchat -7:00 PM Oct 1st, 2012
    Would love to add you to the #Kinderchat Blog Directory here! http://t.co/TnATUhiA -7:02 PM Oct 1st, 2012


   aaaaannnnnd, the archives are up, because I am just that good: http://t.co/ziETRYXT #kinderchat -7:16 PM Oct 1st, 2012







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