When meeting with parents during conferences, it can sometimes be challenging to explain their child's reading grade by simply showing them written data. This is a tricky area bec
ause unlike math and writing, reading grades require the teacher to listen to the student and take formal or informal notes. Parents then rely on these teacher notes and try to apply necessary changes at home in order to have their child improve in their reading ability. Isn't there an easier way to communicate student reading ability with parents? Well....
ause unlike math and writing, reading grades require the teacher to listen to the student and take formal or informal notes. Parents then rely on these teacher notes and try to apply necessary changes at home in order to have their child improve in their reading ability. Isn't there an easier way to communicate student reading ability with parents? Well.... OneNote is a 
Microsoft program we have had on our computers for some time. A few of us use it to organize files and notes, but most of us go running for the hills whenever they hear anyone utter "OneNote." But there is an easy and effective way to use this program: voice recordings! Instead of sitting down with a parent to discuss notes about their child's reading, how about letting them hear how their child reads while you analyze and offer suggestions. This post is to allow you the opportunity to see if it might be worth your time.
Microsoft program we have had on our computers for some time. A few of us use it to organize files and notes, but most of us go running for the hills whenever they hear anyone utter "OneNote." But there is an easy and effective way to use this program: voice recordings! Instead of sitting down with a parent to discuss notes about their child's reading, how about letting them hear how their child reads while you analyze and offer suggestions. This post is to allow you the opportunity to see if it might be worth your time. First, we need to open up Microsoft OneNote. Then we need to set up a folder to hold student voice recordings. Then we need to record and label. That's it! Take a look at this brief tutorial for help, then give it a try yourself!
After you have tried a few recordings yourself and played them back, here is what I would like for you to do: Please tell me if this is something that might be useful at all to you; either with reading or any other activity/lesson in which voice recording might be beneficial. Also, during parent conference time, do you present student information in any unique way? (perhaps through video, having the student work on a quick task in front of the parent, computer projects, etc.). Don't worry if you do not do anything out of the ordinary; I know I am still thinking of different ways to present information during conferences, but have not yet put them into practice.
