How and when should I get started with Freckle for the first time?

A lot of teachers ask us when they should start using Freckle with their pupils, and there is one simple answer: whenever you feel that your pupils could benefit from more targeted independent practice. Freckle is a program that accurately isolates skills and gaps with every pupil—then it fills the gaps and builds on the strengths, allowing pupils to grow into extraordinary mathematicians and readers.

Signing up for a teacher account

1. Go to classroom.freckle.com
   
   In order to sign up for a teacher account on the computer, go to classroom.freckle.com. Fill out the information required or sign in using Google. We suggest using your school email address when signing up for a teacher account.
   
   
   
   
2. Personalise Freckle
   
   Once you have created an account, use the drop-down lists to select your role and the country your school is located in. Search for your school (by name, post code, or use your computer's location); once your school is selected, select Join School.
   
   
   
   If you do not work at a school, select I do not work at a school.
3. On the next screen, select the years that you teach, then select Next.
   
4. Explore the Pupil Experience
   
   Pupils love Freckle and we want you to see why. Feel free to explore the pupil experience. Take a baseline, answer some questions and see how your pupils will use Freckle.
   
   
   
   
5. Go to the Teacher App
   
   Once you are done exploring the pupil experience, select Go to the Teacher App at the top of the screen. This will sign you back into your teacher account.
   
   
   
   
6. Add pupils to your class list
   
   Select Class List in the left navigation bar. Then select Add Pupils on the page that follows:
   
   
   You will be prompted to add all pupils in that class. You can even set pupils' default language to English or Spanish. Repeat this process for all other pupils in your class.
   
   
   
   
7. Assign Maths practice to your pupils
   
   Select Assign Maths to try assigning objectives-based targeted practice, adaptive practice or benchmark assessments to your pupils. (Learn more about maths tasks here.)
   
   
8. Browse through sample reports under "Maths reports" on the left navigation bar that you will be able to access once your pupils start practising on Freckle. These reports allow you to see different types of pupil data in various forms. They will help you stay informed about pupil progress and mastery.

Having Pupils Use Freckle for the First Time

1. Make sure that all pupils are added to your class list
   
   In order to add pupils to your class list, log into your teacher account, select Manage Class Lists and then select Add a Pupil at the bottom of the class list to enter in your class list.
   
   
   1. Enter each pupil's first name, surname and year.
   2. Select English or Spanish as the default language for each pupil.
   3. When pupils log in to work on Freckle, they will use their first name, surname and the class code (available on the top of your teacher home). Create a pupil account for yourself (which you can delete later) so that you can demonstrate how to log on and take the diagnostics.
      
      
2. Complete a technology check.
   
   Go to http://techcheck.freckle.com/ to see if your system is set up to run Freckle correctly.
   
   
3. Explain Freckle to Pupils
   
   Right before your class uses Freckle for the first time, it is important to explain to them what Freckle is, why the class is using it and how it works. Pupils can greatly benefit from a live demonstration and walk through where the teacher uses the program on a projected screen, stopping to point out key features. Below is a sample script you can follow when introducing Freckle for the first time.
   

   Sample Script—Introducing Freckle to Students

   Okay class, today we are going to begin using a new program called Freckle. Freckle is a program that is used to practise maths, and it might be very different than a lot of the practice you have done before. Instead of having everyone in the class practise the same skills, Freckle is able to understand both what you are good at and where you need extra help. It then will give you questions that help you improve and grow. It is very important that you try your hardest while working on Freckle in order to get the most out of the program.

   While you are working on Freckle, there are times where you might get stuck and have difficulty answering a problem. Do not worry, that is to be expected. The program has lots of different tools that you can use to help you figure out how to solve the problem so you can move on to the next level.

   When you answer a question correctly on Freckle, you earn a certain number of coins. There is a class leaderboard that shows the top five pupils in the class—and how many coins each of them has. Since everyone is working on questions that are at a level that is just right for them, all pupils have an equal chance of ending up on the leaderboard. Just work hard, try your best and you may see your name on top!

   Now, I want to go over some of the features of Freckle so that you understand how to use it best. I expect that everyone pays attention to the board and keeps their hands off the iPads and/or computers. I will start by logging onto a pupil account I made.

   Teacher displays the following on the board to demonstrate maths practice:

   1. Signing in to your pupil account—make sure to have the class code displayed on the board
   2. Selecting Maths
   3. Selecting the different domains—pick the one that your class will begin with
   4. Taking the baseline (Note: baselines not included for Year 1)—make sure to miss most of the questions and go through quickly so that the diagnostic demonstration does not take long
   5. Practising within that domain—show pupils how to:

   • watch a video for support,
   • have the question read aloud,
   • use the virtual manipulatives and
   • use the scratch paper.

   Answer any questions pupils may have before beginning use.

4. Have pupils get started by going to student.freckle.com (web version) or loading the app on tablets.
   
   On this page, pupils will use their class code to log in and begin practice on Freckle.
   
   
   The class code can be found on your Manage Class List page. We recommend that you leave the class code visible on the whiteboard or a poster for the remainder of the year so that pupils will not have to ask you for the code each time you use the program.
5. Engage with maths practice on the pupil dashboard.
   
   Pupils can select various options from the bottom navigation menu to interact with different features of Freckle:
   
   
   • Maths: pupils can access self-guided practice in Maths (fact practice as well as objectives-aligned adaptive maths practice)
   • Assignments: all maths assignments generated from the teacher home.