4 Ideas for Using the Microphone Tool in Seesaw

Are you looking for some quick and easy ideas you can use right away in Seesaw?

I LOVE the versatility that the teaching platform Seesaw offers for our youngest learners! There are great learning opportunities with the platform for both in-person and remote learning.

Today, I wanted to share a few quick and easy ideas to use the microphone tool in Seesaw.

Idea #1: Phonemic Awareness

Utilize the microphone tool to teach and assess students' phonemic awareness skills.  This is a great way to continue phonemic awareness instruction during remote learning!

• Insert 6 pictures on to a Seesaw page and ask kids to record themselves telling 3 words that rhyme with each picture.
• Practice segmenting skills. Add 6-10 pictures on a Seesaw page and ask kids to segment each word.  You could even create sound boxes and movable circles with the shape tools.
• This same type of activity could be created for any phonemic awareness skill; substitution, deletion, etc.

Idea #2: Repeated Readings

The microphone tool is a genius way to work on fluency skills with repeated readings!!!

There are SO many possibilities for repeated readings:

• Letter Names and Sounds
• Sight Word Lists
• Phonics Word Lists
• Nonsense Words
• Sight Word Phrases
• Poems
• Passages from your curriculum
• Guided Reading books

Simply upload (or take a photo or screenshot) of the material for the repeated reading.  I recommend having them practice at least 3 times before they record!  Using the shape tools you can add 3 small boxes for students to check off each time they practice.  Need data to support fluency skills and progress- now you have some at your fingertips!

Idea #3: Reading aloud their Work

We all know it can be challenging to read the writing of primary kiddos!  Seesaw can make it even more challenging because of the size of assignments...hello...grading on your phone!?!  One simple solution is to have your students use the microphone tool to record themselves reading their work before they turn it in.  This way we know EXACTLY what they wrote, no guess work.  Not only that, but it allows students to practice their speaking skills.

Idea #4: Elaborating on Ideas and Deeper Thinking

Primary learners can be incredibly deep thinkers!  Sometimes it is hard to show that level of understanding in their writing.  So the microphone tool is the perfect opportunity for students to elaborate on their thinking, and really show what they have learned.  This strategy lends itself especially well to cross-curricular opportunities.  Some simple ideas:

• Science or Social Studies: Post a video link to a topic you are studying.  After watching the video have students use the microphone tool to tell 3 new things they learned.  You could also have them create a picture of their learning with the drawing tools.
• Math: Use the microphone tool for students to explain how they solved a word problem, or other math skill.

How do you use the microphone in Seesaw?  I'd love to hear even more ideas in the comments!

Looking for more Seesaw ideas and resources?  Need activities that are ready to use? I have lots of preloaded and ready to use activities in my TPT store.