• Skip to main content
  • Skip to header right navigation
  • Skip to site footer
  • About
  • Shop
  • Press
  • Media Kit
  • Contact
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • Instagram
  • YouTube

teach mama logo

teach mama

helps families connect & build bridges between home & school, by amy mascott

  • early literacy
    • alphabet
    • beginning sounds
    • phonics
    • phonological awareness
    • read-aloud learning
    • rhyming
    • sight words
  • reading
    • books
    • comprehension
      • activating schema
      • connecting
      • inferring
      • predicting
      • questioning
      • retelling / summarizing
      • visualizing
    • concepts of print
    • environmental print
    • fluency
    • non-fiction
    • spelling
    • word building
    • word consciousness
    • vocabulary
  • writing
    • creative writing
    • grammar
    • informative writing
    • tripod grip
  • math
    • computation
    • counting
    • numbers
  • science
    • animals
    • plants
    • science experiments for kids
  • Activities
    • birthdays
    • cooking
      • new for us foods
    • crafts
    • foundations
      • colors
      • critical thinking
      • fine arts
      • listening
      • pretend play
      • sorting
      • speaking
    • holidays
      • new year’s
      • valentine’s day
      • president’s day
      • st. patrick’s day
      • april fool’s day
      • easter
      • mother’s day
      • teacher appreciation
      • father’s day
      • july 4th
      • halloween
      • thanksgiving
      • christmas
    • family life
      • family fun
      • giving back
      • lunchbox love notes
      • school
    • indoor activities
    • outdoor activities
  • digital literacy
    • computer time
    • iPad for learning
  • early literacy
    • alphabet
    • beginning sounds
    • phonics
    • phonological awareness
    • read-aloud learning
    • rhyming
    • sight words
  • reading
    • books
    • comprehension
      • activating schema
      • connecting
      • inferring
      • predicting
      • questioning
      • retelling / summarizing
      • visualizing
    • concepts of print
    • environmental print
    • fluency
    • non-fiction
    • spelling
    • word building
    • word consciousness
    • vocabulary
  • writing
    • creative writing
    • grammar
    • informative writing
    • tripod grip
  • math
    • computation
    • counting
    • numbers
  • science
    • animals
    • plants
    • science experiments for kids
  • Activities
    • birthdays
    • cooking
      • new for us foods
    • crafts
    • foundations
      • colors
      • critical thinking
      • fine arts
      • listening
      • pretend play
      • sorting
      • speaking
    • holidays
      • new year’s
      • valentine’s day
      • president’s day
      • st. patrick’s day
      • april fool’s day
      • easter
      • mother’s day
      • teacher appreciation
      • father’s day
      • july 4th
      • halloween
      • thanksgiving
      • christmas
    • family life
      • family fun
      • giving back
      • lunchbox love notes
      • school
    • indoor activities
    • outdoor activities
  • digital literacy
    • computer time
    • iPad for learning
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

practice reading, speaking, and thinking: an app for connecting

home / digital literacy / iPad for learning / practice reading, speaking, and thinking: an app for connecting
88 shares
  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Email
  • Print

practice reading, speaking, and thinking: an app for connectingI’ve spent most of my adult life on a quest for a magical something that will help bridge the distance between my home here in Maryland and my home in the Keystone State.

My parents and two of my sisters are still up north, and though I thought it would become easier as time went on to be 3+ hours away from them, it’s just becoming more and more difficult.ย ย  Maddy, Owen, and Cora always wish to see their Nanny & Pap, their aunts and cousins, and my heart aches for my sweet nephews.ย  (Sure–I miss the adults too, but the baaabies!!)

So although Skype, Facetime, and the like seem like natural fits for us, for technological–and financial reasons–they just haven’t worked out.

Recently, though, I was introduced to an app that will not only help my three kiddos practice their reading, speaking, and thinking skills–it will also help them stay connected to their friends and family.

I love it.ย  It’s clever and easy.

practice reading, speaking, and thinking--an app for connecting

my SPOKEnPHOTO albums on my shelf

And it can be used in creative ways so that kiddos can even practice reading, speaking, and thinking. In my opinion, it’s really an app for connecting.

And for a gal whose family is far away? Love.

Here’s the skinny. . .

  • Practice Reading, Speaking, and Thinking– An App for Connecting: This app is so new, it’s hot off the presses this very morning.

It’s called SPOKEnPHOTO, and it is just that: spoken photos.

practice reading, speaking, and thinking--an app for connecting

photos from any of the albums on my iPad can be used for my SPOKEnPHOTOs

Though we are only now learning how to use it, what I really love about it is that it can be one photo or an album of photos– a quick message or a whole story.

And I love that it requires a little thought–and if wanted–a little bit o’ love.

Recently we were invited to try out the app, and the kids and I created a ‘long distance love story’ for our cousins in Pennsylvania.ย  (It’s from all of us, but Brady is our main player since Maddy, Owen, and Cora only make but really rare appearances on teachmama.com.)

 

practice reading, speaking, and thinking--an app for connecting

Our ‘Missing Wyatt’ album. . .

practice reading, speaking, and thinking--an app for connecting

. . . and the kids recording their voices . . .

practice reading, speaking, thinking

. . . choosing photos, singing songs, and being silly for our Missing Wyatt’ SPOKEnPHOTO album.

You can see first hand our ‘Missing Wyatt’ SPOKEnPHOTO album. Take a look.

Even if you don’t have an iPad, because I shared the link to my album with myself via email, it’s available on the web. So anyone can receive a SPOKEnPHOTO, but the photo–or album–must be created with an iPad, iOS 6.0 or later.

I see a boatload of learning potential of this app.ย  I look forward to:

  • having the kids practice reading to their cousins, aunts, uncles, and grandparents;
  • sharing fun photos of events and having the kids narrate, summarize, and explain what’s happening;
  • encouraging Owen to show off his new speaking skills and practiced words via photos of his smiling face;
  • letting the kids loose with this–giving them the iPad, letting them take photos, and then having them think about how they can fit together for a story to send to family;
  • keeping track of the SPOKEnPHOTOS we create as memory tools throughout the year;
  • receiving SPOKEnPHOTOS from our cousins–and hearing how much the boys are growing and what they’re learning;
  • eventually being able to print out the albums into books–which I think is totally cool!

 

practice reading, speaking, and thinking--an app for connecting

ย my own ‘Long Distance Love Story‘ . . .

As a member of a small group of bloggers who was invited to try out this app, I created my own ‘Long Distance Love Story‘ as part of the collaborative Long Distance Love Story Album.ย  Check it out so you can see how others have creatively and thoughtfully used SPOKEnPHOTO. ipad apps for teaching and learning

I truly appreciate that each SPOKEnPHOTO is easy to create, and they’re even easier to share.ย 

All you do is choose a photo, name it, and you can add your own sound bite to it with the press of a button.

Each and every photo can have up to two minutes of sound attached to it. So in that way, you can send a short message with one photo–or the real creative thinking comes into play when you put a series of photos together in an album.ย 

How cool is that?!

The possibilities are really endless, but this teacher-mama’s thrilled about the reading, speaking, thinking–and connecting!--support that this app offers to hear kiddos for some sneaky after-school or weekend learning!

What do you think? What do you love about this app? How would you use it? What catches your eye? I’d love to hear it! Do share!

 

fyi: I was compensated for my time in reviewing and evaluating SPOKEnPHOTO.ย  All opinions, as always, are only my own, influenced only by my experience as a parent and educator and by my three little photo-creators and memory-makers.

You May Also Like...

  • learn to read app for kids 3-7: Duolingo ABC
    learn to read app for kids 3-7: Duolingo ABC
  • how we are saving for our kids' college and how you can, too
    how we are saving for our kids' college and how you can, too
  • Virtual Summit for Educators: Navigating the Online Classroom & Beyond
    Virtual Summit for Educators: Navigating the Online Classroom & Beyond

About amy mascott

teacher, mother, dreamer. lover of literacy, fun learning, good food, and three crazy-cool kids. finder of four-leaf clovers | dc metro ยท http://about.me/amymascott
tweet with me: @teachmama

Previous Post: « how to celebrate a golden birthday
Next Post: how to make a candy wreath candy wreath hanging on door »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Alexandra

    December 11, 2012 at 1:49 pm

    Love it! Perfect for those with beloved ones not in a walking distance (that’s me, there is a bit of an ocean between me and my family :D)

    Reply
    • amy

      December 11, 2012 at 5:04 pm

      Yay! me toooooo!!!!

      Reply
  2. Lynne M.

    December 12, 2012 at 3:49 pm

    Loved the album you made with your kids – sounds like you had fun. Now I miss Wyatt!

    Reply
    • amy

      December 12, 2012 at 9:17 pm

      Lynne! We ALL miss Wyatt!! Waaaaahhhhh!

      Reply
  3. Michelle Breum

    January 21, 2013 at 12:55 am

    Loved the album you, your kids, and dog made! So cute. I love this app. Thanks for sharing it. I really need to get an ipad!

    Reply
    • amy

      January 21, 2013 at 9:36 am

      thanks a TON, Michelle!! totally appreciate your reading and feedback, my sweet friend!

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Sidebar

our books & freebies

setting the stage for rock-star readers
raise a reader
amy mascott profile blog
subscribe teachmama

join the coolest club around:

Find Us On Social Media

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • Instagram
  • YouTube

Helpful Links

  • About
  • Contact
  • Press
  • Media Kit
  • Disclaimer
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy

Follow Us On Instagram

View
Open
Aaawwwhhhhh live this little Welcome Pack from @univofmaryland @umddining โ€” countdown is on! 

T-minus 8 days until our #1 hits campus!

#bts2022 #OldBay #marylandlife #universityofmaryland
View
Open
Super easy, homemade dog treats! 

Kids can helpโ€”they love the scraping into molds part!

Recipe below: 

ingredients 
1 egg
1 12.5 oz can chicken
1/4 cup chickpea (or tapioca) flour
1/4 cup whole wheat flour

instructions 
1. preheat oven to 350โ€ข

2. add all ingredients to blender and mix on high

3. pour into silicon molds

4. bake 10 min then switch trays to opposite oven racksโ€”our racks cannot fit two trays). bake for another 10-12 min or until treats pop easily out of molds. 

5. let cool on tray so they get a little more crispy. 

store in airtight container for up to a week!

#kidsinthekitchen #homemadedogtreats #pettreats #diydogtreats #dogtraining #familyfun
View
Open
Pop Up Shops for Musikfest!

New tees and tanksโ€”super cool and perfect for โ€˜festing!

@bethlum.shop is where itโ€™s at!
View
Open
happy saturday ๐Ÿš™
View
Open
Painted rocks are a lifesaver most days, arenโ€™t they?
View
Open
Hello, Teacher Wish List.

You are welcome here. In fact, we are incredibly glad that youโ€™ve made your way into our culture.

Youโ€™re like the Wedding Registry or Baby Registryโ€“but better. 

You are a dream because you are the list that gives and gives and gives. Youโ€™re not full of weird kitchen appliances or ugly China patterns or tiny baby Air Jordans. You are made of books, pens, pencils, journals, math manipulatives, bulletin board letters, lab goggles, staplers, and hole punchers.

You are helping to equip and educate the youth of the world and are taking a tiny bit of stress off of the shoulders of our educators. And we all know that our educatorsโ€“especially in the last few yearsโ€“have been stretched to the absolute max. They are tired, worn down, and stepped on. Theyโ€™re pushed and pulled every which way and are expected to do the job of 27 different people.

What an amazing thing you are, you little Classroom Wish List! Just a simple Amazon Wish List, you let us all feel like we are helping in a teeny way, and we thank you.

We hope you never, ever leave and that youโ€™re here to stay.

Sincerely,

Everyone

Want to help #ClearTheList ? 

Please visit: bit.ly/HELPclearthelist

#BTS2022 #HelpClearTheList #ISupportTeachers #TeachersRock #linkinbio
View
Open
TEACHERS! 

We appreciate you. 

We know that you have been spending your own money for AGES for your classroom and students, and we want to help. 

Hereโ€™s everything you need to know about creating your own Amazon Wish List: https://teachmama.com/help-teachers-clear-the-list/

Am I missing anything? Please let me know! 

#ClearTheList #CreateTeacherWishList #ClassroomWishList #AmazonWishList #BTS2022
View
Open
Friends, if you have an extra $5 or $10 that you could spare to help some amazing educators, we would be SO GRATEFUL.

Head on over to find out what I'm talking about and to learn how you can help.

And? If you're a teacher, add YOUR list to the mix so it gets more eyes (and more support!)

Check it out: https://teachmama.com/help-teachers-clear-the-list/

#ClearTheList #linkinbio #BTS2022 #ShareYourList #AmazonClearTheList
View
Open
nosotros votamos!

Find YOUR Gun Sense Candidates here: https://gunsensevoter.org/candidates/

#FirstTimeVoter #GunSenseVoter #AppleBallotVoter #yovotรฉ

Copyright © 2022 · teach mama media, llc · All Rights Reserved

  • 6
88 shares