Parent Teacher Conference: Don't Get Worried, Get Ready (6-Step Checklist)
If you want to establish good communication with the parents of your students, call each one at the beginning of the year. Talk about his or her child and say some positive things. Having good communication with the parents is extremely important. When you have to call to report some type of negative behavior, it is much easier and acceptable. You surely do not want to start off the year with a negatively charged classroom!
You need to be positive in your reports to parents. As stated, you not only want, but need, good parent rapport. In writing notes to parents, try to use positive comments. Turn your statements around to your benefit.
How To Proceed
Use statements such as the following:
- cooperative
- willing
- is strong in
- has a good grasp of
- is attempting
- is striving
- does a find job with
- excels in
- is making good progress
Avoid negative words and statements such as the following:
- is not able
- will never
- won't
- can't
- doesn't
- will seldom
With students who have behavioral or academic problems on which you need to comment, use statements such as the following:
- needs help with
- will need your help to
- strives hard to
- needs reinforcement
- could profit from
- sometimes finds it difficult
Do not just put down anything. Think before you write. Parents need to be kept informed of any problems. Be sure, however, that you have contacted the parent prior to progress report time. Do not surprise the parent. Parents have a right to know how their child is doing and where help is needed. As time consuming as it is, asking parents to come in to visit before or after school will pay off dividends in the end.
This article comes from a great book called ‘Year-Round Classroom Tips’ published by Teacher Created Resources. Article displayed by kind permission of Teacher Created Resources.
