At the beginning of the school year, I try to provide parents with helpful websites and apps that they can use at home to support their children at home. However, before suggesting anything, I try to find out what technology they have at home. Once I know what technology students have access to at home, I can make suggestions that are appropriate for their particular situation.
One way to find out what technology students have at home is to send home a technology survey to parents at the beginning of the school year. You can find this technology survey in my newly released Parent Communication Forms and Surveys packet.
Once you know who in your class has iPads, who has computers and who has limited technology, put that information into lists and keep that information in your parent communication folder.
With this information, you can send app suggestions only to those students who would actually use them. You know which students you can ask watch a video over at home or practice skills on an assigned website. Plus, you know if a student truly doesn’t have access to technology after they leave your classroom. I DO NOT use this information to exclude those without technology from after school technology activities. Rather, I suggest ways that they could get access to technology – at the public library, or finding a homework buddy in class and I offer this group of students a non-technology alternative to any at home technology assignments. The overall focus of having this information is to be able to provide more differentiated suggestions for using technology at home.
Looking for websites and apps to suggest to your parents? Try these:
Reading Websites for Elementary Students
Math Websites for Elementary Students
Writing Websites for Elementary Students
Typing Websites for Elementary Students
ESL Apps for Elementary Students
Generally GREAT Apps for Elementary Students
Video Creation Apps for Elementary Students
Ticket Out the Door Apps for Elementary Students
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