This article is intended for teachers using the free version of TalkingPoints. If your school or district is using TalkingPoints, please reach out to an administrator to ensure the family member is added from your school's sync.
Educators can connect with families in two ways through TalkingPoints: the mobile app and SMS text.
Families are signed up to receive SMS texts automatically when you add their phone number. However, if you do not know their phone numbers, you can provide instructions to them to join your class via SMS text message.
Web
Step 1: Select your class and click on 'Add Students.'
Step 2: Select 'Join via text message.'
Step 3: Ask families to send their corresponding language code to the unique phone number that appears. The language codes are located below your listed phone number.
Step 4: Once families text the language code to your unique phone number, they will receive a separate message prompting them to enter their child's details. Once filled out, they have joined your class.
The phone number you see for your class is only used for the initial sign-up, and will not be the phone number families recieve your messages from. The phone number families see is randomly generated by their specific cell phone company. Personal phone numbers are not used to communicate with families.
Want to print the instructions to send to families instead? Click 'download PDF' next to the languages you need. These translated family letters explain how the TalkingPoints app works and how to connect to your class in their home language via SMS text or the app.
Mobile App
This feature is only available on the web at this time.