How to Use
*Note: This page will only give directions for use for teachers who downloaded the free version of Subtext. Many of subtext's great functions, such as assigning assignments to students, can only be done with a premium membership. However, basic users can still create assignments, they just can't assign them. Thus, I will how you how to create an assignment, as well.
Teachers: Getting Started
- Step One: Download the Subtext app from the app store.
- Step Two: Select your school from the search tool box, or skip this step.
- Step Three: Create a classroom group so that your students can join.
- Step Four: Be sure to name your group and select the grade level. Subtext will give you a code for your group. Give that code to your students.
- Step Five: Start building your library by pressing "Tap to Add Books and Articles" on your home page.
Step 1 Step 2 Step 3
Step 4 Step 5
Students: Getting Started
- Step 1: Students can log in via their Renaissance Place or email account.
- Step 2: When they log in, on the left hand side where they see the word groups, they need to click "Add".
- Step 3: Enter the classroom code their teacher gives them.
- Step 4: Click "My Library" to see the texts that the teacher has shared with the students. Wait for the teacher to tell them what activity to start.
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Teachers: Selecting Texts
FICTION
FICTION
- Step 1: On your home page, which is your library, click "Tap to Add Books and Articles"
- Step 2: Tap "Books and Literature"
- Step 3: Tap "All Subtopics". A drop down menu will appear with options for Common Core Essential Standards Exemplar books, free books by grade level, free short stories, and poetry.
- Step 4: Click the "+ Add" button when you find a book you want.
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NONFICTION
- Option 1: From the "Tap to Add Books and Articles" page, you can select an article by category (top), "New This Week", or "Trending Now". When you find an article within a topic, tap the same "+Add button" like you'd do for a fictional text.
- Option 2:
- Step 1: Tap "Search the Web for articles" and type in a topic. A web search will come up.
- Step 2: Find an article you like. At the top of the screen, click "Save to Subtext". It will appear in your library.
- Option 3: Upload a PDF by accessing it through your email or Google Drive. Tap "Open With" and click "Subtext". It will also appear in your library.
Option 1 Option 2, Step 1 Option 2, Step 2 Option 3 (web.subtext.com/upload-a-pdf)
Teachers: Creating Comments and Questions Embedded in Texts
- Step 1: Open the text you want to use. Click "Read".
- Step 2: Find the text you want to highlight. Double Tap it. A box will appear.
- Step 3: To create a discussion, click "Comment". Type your comment in the box. You can also add a link to another website or video or a picture to your comment. Click "Publish" when you are done.
- Step 4: To ask a question, click "Ask". Type your question and select what the format of your question will be. Free response, multiple choice, or poll. Click "Publish" when you are done.
- Step 5: You will then see that your comments and questions are denoted with your profile picture. Any students who also comment or answer the question will have their pictures appear in that spot, too.
- Step 6: Click the left top arrow to go back to the Home Page for that book. Click "Share" and select your group. Your highlights, comments, and questions will be shared, along with the text, to your class.
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Students: Answering Questions and Replying to Discussion Prompts While Reading
- Step One: Student opens the assigned book from the library.
- Step Two: Student starts reading. The student can annotate and highlight while he or she reads. When the student sees an underlined portion of the text with the teacher's picture, they need to click that and follow the directions on the prompt.
- Step Three: If the student is prompted to answer a multiple choice question, they click their answer and press "submit". They then can see the whole class results for that question.
- Step Four: If the student is prompted with a discussion question, they click "Reply" and type their answers in the box. They can also see their fellow students' replies.
- Step Five: If the student was prompted to watch a video or go to another webpage, they can reply with their thoughts about what they viewed.
Steps 1 and 2 Step 3
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Teachers: Creating Assignments (Actually Assigning the Assignments is a Premium Feature)
Option 1, Step 2: When you find the assignment you want to use, tap "Use Assignment".
- Option 1: Use an assignment another teacher made.
Option 1, Step 2: When you find the assignment you want to use, tap "Use Assignment".
Step 1 Step 2
- Option 2: Make your own assignment.
Option 2, Step 2: Tap "Create your own assignment from scratch." Or tap one of the Common Core suggested assignments (premium feature).
- Option 2, Step 3: Use the template provided to create your assignment. You can prompt students to answer questions, highlight certain tagged ideas, watch videos, and answer discussion questions.
Step 1 Step 2 Step 3
For more tips on how to use the app, check out my tutorial video on the "Artifact" tab.