Te Totara Primary School - Growing and Learning Together

Seesaw

 SEESAW - iPad Application

 

Every student at Te Totara School is set up on an App called ‘Seesaw’. This App gives students the ability to record their learning in many formats (photo, video, voice etc) and share it with their parents, caregivers and extended family in real time - sometimes even as the learning is occurring. Essentially Seesaw is student-driven digital portfolios. Your child/ren’s work is kept private and is only viewed by you and their class/teacher.

We were so impressed with the positive response, enthusiasm and the strengthened connections between school and home after trialing the free version of Seesaw in 2016 that we decided to become part of ‘Seesaw for Schools’ from 2017 onwards. This offers many valuable and extra benefits including:

· Portfolios transfer from year to year creating a comprehensive portfolio of student work. (With the free version you only have access to Seesaw content from that year.)

· Parents/caregivers/extended family only sign up once (for free!) across classes and school years, saving you time and allowing you to see all of your child/ren’s work they’ve added for the duration they’ve been connected.

‘Seesaw for Schools’ comes at a cost ($7 per student per year) which the school has kindly opted cover due to the significant impact Seesaw has on student learning. If you are not yet connected, a family invite will be on its way home soon letting you know how to join up and make the most of this great App (or speak to your child’s teacher).

 

For further information, please see the 'Seesaw for Families' Slideshow below or speak to your child’s teacher.

Gain regular insights into your child’s classroom learning and celebrate and share their learning journey with them! Get connected with Seesaw :)

 


Year Level

Seesaw Use Guidelines - Information for Families

1
  • Items added are mostly by the teacher, with the aim to increase student independence during the year, when possible
  • Items shared may include art, oral language, reading, maths, writing, PE, topic, Te Reo, performances, school events, and communication such as reminders etc.
  • At least 2 items per student per term

 2
  • Items added are supported by the teacher, encouraging student ownership when possible
  • Items shared may include art, oral language, reading, maths, writing, PE, topic, Te Reo, performances, school events, and communication such as reminders etc.
  • At least 2 items per student per term

3-4
  • Items added are supported by the teacher, encouraging student ownership and working towards mostly being added by students
  • Items shared may include art, oral language, reading, maths, writing, PE, topic, Te Reo, performances, school events, and communication such as reminders etc.
  • At least 3 items per student per term

5-6
  • Items added mostly by students
  • Items shared may include art, oral language, reading, maths, writing, PE, topic, Te Reo, performances, school events, and communication such as reminders or home learning etc.
  • At least 3-4 items per student per term

Note on Seesaw Communication:

Please note that while Seesaw can be used as a parent-teacher communication tool for private messaging, it is not an expectation for teachers to check this regularly. Feel free to check with your child/ren’s teacher as to whether they make use of this feature. The best way to make contact with your child/ren’s teacher is to email or see them in person.