"Parents need to have a good relationship with the school, so they can help bring out what the teacher feels the child is able to do." ~Elizabeth Cook
As an educator, you spend quite a bit of time with your students throughout the school year & need to be able to share with parents the joys and concerns of their child.
In the section Keeping Parents Informed, many examples of ways to inform parents of teh going-ons in your classroom are given. Which of these examples have you tried, and how did they impact your relationship with the parents of your classroom? Are there other ways you have used to keep parents informed about your daily routines & the child's progress? Share with your classmates a website and a summary of the website you found that they will be able to use as a reference when informing parents of the continued learning and celebrations of your classroom.
Here’s a little background on my teaching experience. I subbed for the first semester after graduation and then I got a call from my old school, Immanuel Lutheran, for a need of a long-term sub for seventh grade to finish out the year. The teacher had been fired because of the things she was or wasn’t doing. For example, the students could leave for the bathroom whenever, they could watch whatever, and they pretty much had free reign of the classroom. So, long story short is that the students did not welcome me with open arms.
ReplyDeleteKnowing this before I took over the classroom, I knew that it was going to be tough. I did do an introductory letter for the parents giving them a little background on me and expressing my expectations for the class. I did get some sympathy support because they all knew that I was pretty fresh out of college and so on. I played it up a little bit to my advantage. Since there was no time before getting the call and starting, I had to jump in feet first so there was no time for home visits and such. I did weekly progress reports, recording test scores, homework scores below 70%, missing assignments, negative behaviors, and also good behaviors. If the parents had anything to say, they had an opportunity on the progress report. I did make some phone calls home, but they were for behavior concerns or students falling behind on their assignments. Other than that, I did not make a good effort to get to know my parents. Therefore, I’m not so sure that I made such a great impact on them.
The website that I thought was good was Kentucky Parent Information and Resources at http://www.ovpirc.org/Tips%20Sheets.htm
ReplyDeleteThis website is for parents, teachers, and grandparents. It is easy to navigate and has a lot of helpful tools and resources. For teachers, click on the tips link at the top and it will get you a list of different articles and ideas from keeping your classroom safe to tips to get your parents involved. Parents can view these same articles and also see how they can improve their involvement with their child’s education.
ReplyDeleteIf you are wanting to view other links to find free lesson plans, worksheets, other parental involvement ideas, and pretty much anything else a teacher would want, click on educator links on the left side of the page. This will bring you to another page full of links to different websites where you can find just about anything you want. If a parent wants to view other websites on how to help their child and so on, they can click on the parent link on the left side of the page as well.
This website is pretty efficient in that it offers many great ideas and articles as well as providing links to other resourceful websites for teachers and parents. It’s always nice to be able to view other lesson plans or worksheets that would fit into your plan (and they are free). I think parents would appreciate the website as well. There are a lot of useful resources for them as well.
Keeping parents informed is a hard task for any teacher. There are so many things to do and so many different little personalities. In my experience in the childcare or pre-school setting we had daily sheets for anyone that was under the age of two. We would write down anything and everything about their day. If we had a concern a phone call to the parent would be ok. The part that I would forget to do sometimes was that we were supposed to keep track of why we called the parent and let the director know, so that if they asked her she would know what they were talking about. We had monthly newsletters, quarterly parent/ child activities (so that parents could get to know each other), and a few times workshops for parents and staff if there were issues (like the biting that I have mentioned), more like an informative meeting. When introducing myself to new parents I would shake their hand and told them who I was, what experience I had, and how long that I had been with the children. This seemed to put parents at ease. I let them know that would be able to answer questions if they had any which some did right away and some waited until after their child had been there a little while.
ReplyDeleteIn my current position, I don’t have a lot of parent contact, although the parents that I have met out in public or coming to the school to pick up their children have been receptive when I have introduced myself and shake their hand. In the new mentoring program at school a phone call home is required. I have received positive feedback from the parents that I was able to reach. I introduce myself, tell them about the program, ask if they have any concerns about their child, if there is anything that they would like me to do, and let them know that I am an advocate for their child’s success. This program helps the staff get to know the student, helps the teacher’s work load, and makes everyone feel like part of a team.
At the school I am at letters go out to inform parents of what is going on, voice mail on reminding parents about meetings, cancellations, and school activities. A phone call home if there are areas of concern and sometimes an e-mail if that is possible. They will set up meetings after school if the parent is willing. I know a couple teachers that make house visits if they are getting no response. Some teachers call home and let the children explain what is going on and let the child take ownership. I don’t know the answer. What works for one student and their family may not work for another. I think that the best solution is to give it your best shot and try not to give up.
The title of the article I read was Keeping Parents Informed and Involved. The website is http://www. Inspiringteachers.com/classroom_resources/articles/parent_communication/info… This website is from a teacher/parent perspective. They explain that parents are wrapped up in their child’s life. Most parents want their child to succeed and do better than they did. Children are a reflection of their parents and most children want to please a parent. By becoming involved with the student and parent one is able to become a success. This website gave several reasons as to why it is important to keep parents informed. Such as, Students strive for a higher level of academics, students tend to avoid negative behavior trends, and students have a higher level of participation and community activities.
ReplyDeleteMost teachers experience more support and appreciation from parents, teacher/parent respect one another, and teachers and parents collaborate in order to make the student a success.
This website gave good reasons as to why it is important, but not exactly how to inform parents; however, it did give a list of other resources that were available. I think that the reasons why we inform parents about their children are just as important as how to. If we combine both resources than we become a solid teaching tool each student.
Emily,
ReplyDeleteI tried out your website and got a couple of good ideas to use as a parent. I didn't think about the possibility of parent use of the website. Thank-you for that insight.
I don't know what I would have done in your experience as a new teacher. I can only say that it would have been hard to follow through with rules when the students didn't have many to begin with. By sending home a letter of intended expectations, you gave the parent and student insight on what to expect. You did everything you were required to do and I don't think I could have done any better. It would be a little bit intimidating to come into a school half way through the year and start over.
The students had no instruction and they are not going to like someone when they have rules. Good job on sticking with it I know that it couldn't have been easy.
Holli,
ReplyDeleteI always liked getting the daily sheets for my kids at daycare. I never understood how my oldest could always have a "great" day when he was always so onery when we got home. Anyways, I believe a phone call or home visit is important because it makes the contact more personal and meaningful. The website is a good reminder as to why we should keep parents informed.
http://www.checkpoint-elearning.com/article/7427.html This is the website that I used to look up some information on keeping parent involved. This website talks about using technology to keep parents involved with school. Over half of the parent admitted having little contact with the child’s school because of their busy life with work and home life; and about 60% of school staff say parents feel their job stops at the school gates. It is sometimes real difficult to have parents be approached.
ReplyDeleteThe benefits of technology in schools are twofold: making lessons and learning more enjoyable and rewarding, whilst also keeping parents better informed and involved with their children's learning. Using technology to improve communications should enable parents to:
•keep track of their children's work, curriculum, and homework assignments
•view a child's reports, attendance records, and grades anytime
•keep in touch with the school via email and text messaging
•have more focused discussions with teachers equipped with the relevant information.
Some of the things that I use in my room right now is the bulletin board that has all of the information on it that parents need to know about the classroom. It has the daily schedule. A what we did today information, monthly news letter, and a lunch menu.
ReplyDeleteAnna,
ReplyDeleteI agree with the technology help with the students homework and other areas of their life. I can get on the website daily and check what needs to be done and try to see what needs to be worked on. My daughter always calls and tells me before I look, but it is nice to know for myself. We all lead busy lives, since I started my new job and can't get away as much as I used to the school portal is a great way for me to communicate with the teachers. If they have trouble getting a hold of me they will try to leave me a message and I call back when I can. This is a good website and I agree with some of their points. A bulletin board and newsletter,as well as, daily communication goes a long way.
Anna,
ReplyDeleteWhat did our parents do without technology? It is becoming easier and easier for parents to become involved with their child's education without having to step into the classroom. This is good for the fact that so many parents work and don't have the time to break away from work. Utilizing bulletin boards to post information is good to do. Parents will check for new information as long as they know where to look.
I work in a 2 year old room and I communicate with parents through my bulletin board, on this I have any days we are closed, menu, additional assistance in the area such as food, shelter,ect., family events that in our area,Our director puts out a monthly newsletter which is an overview of what the center will be doing, fundraisers we are a part of, donations needed,and birthdays. Outside my class I display a weekly white board outside our room describing what the focus is for the month (color,shape,theme)the day's events and what is coming next in the week. We have conferences twice a year once in the fall and then again in the spring. During conference we have an open house where parents can come and look over our curriculum, classrooms, and facility.
ReplyDeletehttp://www2.scholastic.com/browse/article.jsp?id=3748218 I found this website useful and so do my co-workers. We use a lot of things from Scholastics to keep in touch with parents this particular website/article just helps us focus on what to do and how to do it.
Holli and Anna, it seems we all use the same methods to inform parents. I love the portal that keeps parents so in touch with the child's homework and grades. The only problem now is motivating the kids to do the work. You can be knowledgeable of what is expected of your child but, that doesn't always mean they are going to do the work. The portal does help to prevent lying or excuses about homework/grades. Can you tell I have a teenager???
ReplyDeleteEmily, It is always a nice gesture to send a introduction letter outlining who you are and what kind of expectations you are bringing in to the class. Being asked to sub in a school doesn't give you much time to create student-teacher relationships let alone parent-teacher relationship. It sounds you did more than most substitutes do when coming into a long or short term position.
ReplyDeleteseeing if this works!!
ReplyDeleteMy personal experience with dealing with parents as a teacher is pretty limited. My only actual “teacher” experiences have been through my second go around in earning another bachelor’s degree in elementary education. Some methods I’ve observed would include the introductory letters, phone calls, home visits, and daily packets that students take home and have parents sign. As technology becomes more available to most families, I know teachers who also have a classroom website that parents can access. I think if you’re technologically savvy enough, I could see how these websites could be awesome. This could be a place that parents and students could access all of the time. They could even blog, share ideas, concerns, etc. I think the biggest thing with parents is maintaining an open relationship with them. Give them a call once a month or more, and tell them something great their kid is doing in your class. Don’t just call or email them when the crap has hit the fan. If you can be positive about their child, then ideally they’ll reciprocate that kindness….hopefully.
ReplyDeleteIdeally I will be one of those incredible teachers who has an amazing website that parents can access 24-7. On the website parents will be able to access videos, lesson plans, study guides, and links to other websites that will help their children with their learning at school. The following is a website I would recommend to parents if their child was struggling with reading: http://www.readingrockets.org/audience/parents
ReplyDeleteThis site gives parents all sorts of wonderful information and useful tools to help their kids with reading, creating home libraries, and finding the right books that meet their kids reading interests.
Emily- You volunteered to go into a classroom where the kids had free reign. You got some BIG KAHOONA’S! Well obviously you survived, otherwise you wouldn’t be in our class, but was it worth it? I’m sorry if my sarcasm and humor doesn’t translate very well through this blog. Anyhow, it sounds like your attempts to get know parents were adequate. I’m sure they weren’t jumping up with glee or making it a point to get to know you either after the experiences they had with the teacher you replaced. I think you did your best as a new teacher, and hopefully learned a lot from it too.
ReplyDeleteMethods I would use for obtaining parental support would include an introductory letter sent home and/or phone call made, a back-to-school night meeting, a weekly planner, friday envelopes, e-mails, class website, progress reports, or informational letters about upcoming school events, volunteer opportunities, field trips, upcoming areas of study and class projects.
ReplyDeletewww.childdevelopmentinfo.com
This website provides the latest information on child development, psychology, health issues, parenting and family life.
Scott-technology is becoming such a great tool to communicate with parents. But I do like talkin to them one on one in person to have that more personal touch. I agree; giving parents a call once in awhile to report something good that the child did would be great, especially if the child usually gets bad reports.
ReplyDeletechad-all of the information is a great way to keeping parents informed and the website is very useful. I have used it myself for my children's progress. I would also include a bulltin board in the room having all of the information incase they don't get the letters send home or have access to the computer.
ReplyDeleteIf you have a classroom of 25 students it can be difficult to keep in touch with ALL of their parents as much as you might like. It seems like you tend to contact parents of students who are most likely in trouble or not doing something than you are to contact parents of students who do everything right. Something I have heard be done before is every week send maybe one or two notes home with random students just saying something simple. It could say "Johnny is doing a great job! Keep up the good work!" or "Hailey is a joy to have in class!" It is also a good idea to have some sort of communication log that goes home that allows parents to communicate with you during the week. You could have a homework sheet that is sent home at the beginning of each week & have the parents sign it every night & comment if they wish. If you don't want it to be an every night thing since parents/families are so busy these days, you could do it once a week. You could also get all of the parents e-mails and invited them to use e-mail in this technology driven world. Just make sure to give equal communication/announcements to those without e-mail. A monthly newsletter laying out what is being done in the classroom is also a great idea. A classroom website is also a great idea. To create a website for free you could use google pages at www.google.com and register for a gmail account.
ReplyDeleteWith my behavior studetns the best way to communicate with parents is phone calls. That is if you have the right cell phone number. But something I have seen in the general ed population is news letters. Some teachers do them weekly others monthly. I think once I am able to have my own classroom I will definately use technology as a way to keep in communication with parents. Email. blog, text messages. I found a website scholastic.com that had some good ideas and resources that you may find helpful.
ReplyDelete