Classroom Website: Shutterfly
Every year, I seek to improve the ways in which I reach out and partner with parents. This year I happened to find share sites through Shutterfly. Why Shutterfly instead of just blackboard, or facebook?
1. Shutterfly is free.
2. Shutterfly webpages are password protected.. it keeps out preditors (and my nosey wellmeaning family and friends. (This was my problem with facebook).
3. Ability to post pictures.
4. One click resources for parents to turn those pictures of their darling angels (and their projects) into photo books, coffee mugs, coasters, photo prints, or calendars.
5. All the same features in this webpage building that can be found on other webilding websites.
6. All journal entries I make are emailed to each parent directly.
7. Calendar that allows the me to send alerts to parents about such things as show & tell dates/themes, reminders on holidays, reminders on field trips (and approaching due dates for permission slips).
8. Extra page that allows me to create a sign up page for parents to donate to our class wish list, or sign up to bring items for parties. This page can even be used to recruite parents to be volunteers in the classroom or for class fieldtrips.
Shutterfly classroom website tour
Password Protected
Safety first. It is never safe for teachers to post pictures of students on the web without prior parent permission. I don't feel comfortable using websites for parent / teacher use, that are not password protected.
Home page
The Home page is the second page that the parent will see upon entering the site. The top light blue colored bar allows parents to jump between the website features to the one they wish to access for their needs. The primary focus of this page are the journal entries (middle left). These journal entries range from being classroom updates, Tips for parents, important information about upcoming events, and any other useful information. This year we had a lice outbreak in the classroom, and I was able to post information (with webpage links) for parents to let them know useful facts about the critter, what to look for in their childs hair, and how to prevent the spread of the outbreak at home, plus reassure them what the teachers were doing to prevent the spread at school as well.
On this page is also my home contact information, useful links for parents (school website, online accademic game links, online leveled readers), and our show and tell schedule is avial
Pictures, videos, and more!
As a parent, I understand that one of our top concerns are with the social development of our child. We want to know that our children are happy, that they have friends to play with, and are accepted. We also want to know what they are working on. The old proverb that "A picture is worth a thousand words" is very true. Shutterfly allows me to use my digital camera and shoot pictures of my parents darling children to my content. Each child has over 70 pictures of themselves playing, learning, building, collaborating, creating, performing, and socializing. Shutterfly even gives the option for my parents to take the photo's i've posted and turn them into keepsake items such as coffee mugs, mouse pads, coasters, jewelry, picture books, t-shirts, and more. Students and parents have given me such great feedback about how much they love this feature. When a student builds a magnificant block tower in the block center, I can now snap a picture, upload it to our website, and students can proudly show their parents their creation that night at home via this site.
This site even has an option that I could add video too. (If I only had a video camera... that is where a grant would be helpful. :-)
Calendar for the classroom
The calendar has come in extremely handy this school year. Every Friday my class has a different Show & Tell theme. We are working our way through the alphabet (week one students brought items starting with letter A, Week two items with letter B, etc). This calendar feature allows me to automatically email reminders to parents about which letter we are on. I have also used this features to inform parents to look out for fieldtrip permission slips to come home and warn them when the permission slip deadlines were approaching. Being a part of a daycare facility also means that when school is out for the week, our daycare goes on an average of two fieldtrips per week! This calendar helps parents keep informed on what field trips are what days and what time we are leaving for them... and if they need to bring any special items (like hats, lunches, sun screen). I have also marked all my students birthdays on the calendar as well as our favorite authors, celebraties, and famous history people we study. I have also gone an extra step and plugged in community opportunities... like the public library activities schedules, or discount days for the zoos and other muesuems.
Sign-up Sheets
Need field trip volunteers?
How about volunteers to come in and read with the students?
Need help collecting items for the classroom party?
About a classroom item wish list?
This page is reserved for just that. As you can tell... I have not used it to its full potential - but in the future I plan too. :-)
How about volunteers to come in and read with the students?
Need help collecting items for the classroom party?
About a classroom item wish list?
This page is reserved for just that. As you can tell... I have not used it to its full potential - but in the future I plan too. :-)
Class Contact List
Last, but not least, is the classroom contact page. This page allows me an easy way to contact parents, and an easy way for them to contact each other. Many Kindergarten parents expressed interest about wanting to create playdate opportunities with other parents. This contact page helps parents to get in contact with each other.
Program Goals
Goal #6: Graduates of this program should be able to demonstrate professional leadership skills and continued professional growth in curriculum and instruction.
Reflection
This website has been such an easy and fun way to connect with my parents and students. The students and parents have loved the website, it keeps everyone informed, and provides pictures of the classroom and the students learning. The website has a little bit of something for everyone. The wonderful thing is that it is simple and easy to use… as well as extremely secure.