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....

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.

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.
Kim Fitzpatrick · 780 weeks ago
mark lange · 780 weeks ago
Samantha Watkins · 779 weeks ago
Tina McDaniel · 779 weeks ago
Rachel Cragar · 779 weeks ago
Wendy Ward · 779 weeks ago
Renae Hanson · 779 weeks ago
debbieo · 779 weeks ago
Molly Klemkow · 779 weeks ago
I also couldn't figure out where the microphone was?
Diane · 779 weeks ago
I have never used it for recording though. I think it's a great idea. In first grade there is so much to talk about that I'm not sure that it would be the best use of limited time during conferences, for me. I can see using it with students so they can hear themselves. I would love to havea fall recording of them reading and let them compare it to their own reading in the spring. They would be very surprised at how much better they are.
Ruth Cerna · 779 weeks ago
Tenaya Williams · 779 weeks ago
Beth Belmondo · 779 weeks ago
I have used my digital camera as a recording tool to show the parent some behavior issues at a conference. It was really helpful for the parent to see what their child was doing and what the other kids were doing, and it made a big difference in her willingness to work with the school. So, I think it is very important to know how to record and share those videos, but like I said I don't think it is worth it to do it for every student.
P.S. I also take a lot of videos/pictures throughout the school year and make an end of the year video for the parents. Not a conferencing tool, but the parents really treasure that summary of their child's kindergarten year!
cheryl reilly · 779 weeks ago
Love this! Totally applies to my kids!
Suz Chen · 779 weeks ago
Amy Cassady · 779 weeks ago
Denise Strom · 779 weeks ago
Teresa Eccles · 779 weeks ago
Does anyone think an external microphone works better than the internal one?
I am also interested in figuring out how to easily send the items in a one note folder to someone who does not have one note.
Mona Best · 779 weeks ago
Thanks for this resource!
Evelyn · 779 weeks ago
Sue Chase · 779 weeks ago
Evelyn · 779 weeks ago
You're tutorial was awesome! I'm wondering, if I had a recording of a student's reading, would it be possible to share it with the classroom teacher, and still keep it on my One Note file, like you do with text?
Kimberly10tech 66p · 779 weeks ago
Kim Schmitz · 779 weeks ago
Melissa Morlock · 779 weeks ago