Teachers should always keep the parent updated on their children(s) progress According to research: Children do better.

Think about a personal parent-teacher communication

experience that you have had.

Parent Teacher Communication GoneWild

http://youtu.be/SfYrVGSod-4

PCSAK BOOK

 Teachers should always keep the parent updated on their children(s) progress

According to research: Children do better in school when parents talk with teacher & also when parents are involved with the school

Why Parent Teacher Communication is Important

Parent Communication Then & Now

Parent Communication Then & Now

True or False

Schools that communicate bad news about student performance more often than recognizing students’ excellence will discourage parent involvement by making parents feel they cannot effectively help their children.

4 P’s of Communication

Positive (being positive involves communicating student achievements to parents)

Personalized (parents tend to be more engaging if you address a letter directly to them, rather than "Parent/Guardian)

Proactive (being proactive includes addressing concerns to a child's parents in order to prevent academic problems)

Partnership (in day-to-day communication, try encouraging parent-teacher partnership by creating opportunities for parents to share feedback, like leaving space on letters for parents to write back to the teacher)

Sometimes, as a new teacher, it’s difficult to make the first call to a parent or guardian. Preparing for the call will make it easier. Before making a call, write down the reasons for the call. One reason can be simply to introduce yourself to the parent or guardian. Here are several guidelines you can use as you prepare.

Here are several guidelines you can use as you prepare:1. To Introduce yourself.2. Tell the parents what their child is studying.3. Invite the parents to open house and/or other school functions.4. Comment on their child’s progress.5. Inform them of child’s achievements like “Student of the Week”.6. Inform them of their child’s strengths or share an anecdote.

Phone Guidelines

Acceptable methods of Communication

Twitter ? Follow (i.e. on Pintrest) ? Email ? Formal or informal Meetings ? Phone Call ? Face to Face/Conference ? Blog ? Facebook ? Webpage (school or personal) ? Online grading systems ?

For effective teachers of English as a second language, communication goes beyond the requirements of normal classroom teaching. Bridging the language barrier means the teacher has to remember the different cultural and background contexts and individual challenges the students and their parents face.

ESL

Strategies for Parent

Communication

Think of some Do’s and Don’ts when Communicating

with Parents

Do’s Don’ts•Meet/talk with parent(s) on first meeting being all positive

•If needed find a translator that is not a relative

•When speaking use terms everyone can understand

•Set goals/purpose for each meeting and only talk about them

•Send information to parents about what is happening each week

•If sending a newsletter make it only one page not a book

•Provide letters, blogs, etc in the native language of the parent

•Always introduce yourself

•Use chairs for “big” people

•Contact parent(s) only when the student is in trouble

•Use the student as a translator

•View yourself as an expert of the child

•Set major goals for the student without the parents involvement

•Jump to conclusions before meeting the parent or the first time you meet the parent

•Use an attitude or inappropriate tone with the parent even if the parent is using one with you

•Get too close to the parent during the meeting

•Use your cell phone

•Ignore any request that the parent(s) may have

Do’s and Don’ts Cont. Do make sure you communicate at least one positive for every

negative – Positive: Johnny is able to tell us when he wants to go to the bathroom. Negative – Johnny is unable to identify the Boys’ sign.

Don’t make parents feel it is their responsibility to “fix” problems that are happening at school.

Do respond to communication from parents promptly, especially if you expect them to do the same.

Do ask parents what type of communication system (notebook, email, phone call, etc.) would work best for them.

Don’t give up if parents don’t communicate back to you consistently.  Keep sharing your observations and requests, and encourage them to do the same.

Now let’s practice some GREAT parent teacher communication skills!

Parent CommunicationQ&A