The TalkingPoints mission is to help you engage your families. Our focus is serving underserved and multilingual families. Let’s get started!
STEP 1: Sign Up
TalkingPoints allows you to sign up two ways using either our web app or our mobile app. To sign up on the web, go to www.talkingpts.org and click on the ‘SIGN UP FOR FREE’ button. You can also download our mobile app for teachers. Available on iOS and Android.
All you need is an email address to get signed up to use TalkingPoints. You do have multiple options, you can also use your Google account.
(1) Signing up with email
Simply complete the form and click the ‘Sign me up!' button
(2) Signing up with Google
Simply click on the ‘Sign in with Google’ button and use your Google email and password.
Note: If you sign up with Google you will need to then provide us with a little more information about you, including the grade you teach and what type of teacher you are.
STEP 2: ADD CONTACTS OR INVITE THEM TO JOIN
You can add contacts to your class by adding them individually, or by providing families with a code to add themselves. On the righthand side, there is an information pamphlet that explains to families how the TalkingPoint app works and how to connect to your class in their home language via the app mobile app or SMS text.
(1) Add contacts by yourself
To add contacts individually, just start completing the form at the bottom of the screen by entering the student name. The only information you need to add a contact is the student's name and a cell phone number. You can add up to 200 students, and up to 5 contacts per student.
The contact name should be the name of the family member whose cell phone number you are adding.
The language is the native language that the family member speaks. Once you set the language, the contact will get your messages in the language you set up for them. The translation is automatic.
TalkingPoints verifies the phone number is a valid cell phone number for you.
Step-by-Step instructions for Adding Contacts/ Students
(2) Invite families by code
The classroom you created is assigned a code that is unique to your classroom. You can give this code to your families and they can use it to sign up for your class. Here is an example:
If you choose to sign families up this way, you can also download translated and printable letters to help families get started.
WANT MORE INFORMATION:
STEP 3: SEND YOUR FIRST MESSAGE
The next step is to compose an introductory message to send to your families. Introduce yourself and let families know that you will be using TalkingPoints to communicate with them. Simply click on the ‘COMPOSE MESSAGE’ button and select the recipients you want to message. You can message your whole class or just a few families.
To make your first introductory message easy, TalkingPoints has set up some templates you can use.
Did you Know?
Parents who are signed up for SMS text messages will receive a message that lets them know they can opt-out of receiving your messages by texting GOODBYE or STOP at any time.
Parents receive text messages, but there is also a TalkingPoints | Parents App that parents can download.
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STEP 4: ENGAGE YOUR FAMILIES
There are multiple ways to engage your families once you have your classes set up. TalkingPoints allows you to easily:
Schedule and save messages as templates that you send often, like homework reminders
Add photos, emojis, and other attachments
Send whole class announcements or reach out individually to families
The more you engage your families the more support they can give your students. Parents appreciate hearing from you!
WANT MORE INFORMATION:
Click here to download our Getting Started Guide that will show you how to sign up, set up your class, and send your first message.
