Happy Weekend friends!
If you are like me… you are counting down the days until the sweet smell of school supplies and little voices are your normal. Back to School is right around the corner… and this year… it’s time to start it off with Parent Success… Communication to be more exact!
We often think that we have good parent communication… but then we look up and realize it has been quite some time since any form of communication took place between parents regarding their child in the classroom.
This post is all about giving you FIVE simple tips to making sure that Parent Communication HAPPENS in the classroom… and happens successfully!
Let’s get started!
Set up a classroom social media outlet!
WHY?
This allows for parents to SEE what their child is doing in the classroom. So often they see the remnants (take home work, leftover projects, an art project every now and then), but social media is the perfect and FREE outlet to really let parents get a glimpse into the classroom.
An important reminder if you going to do this option (and I highly suggest you do!) – make it a PRIVATE social media outlet. If you choose Facebook – create a class page (you will create a CLOSED GROUP ) and keep it private, allowing only YOU the teacher to accept parents into the group! Instagram a favorite? Make it a private profile page where you have to accept parent permission to view photos.
SET A GOAL: make sure each child is photographed each week! You don’t want the feed that has that ONE child pictured numerous times, but then another child once. (or worse… not at all!)
An easy way to make sure this happens…. you can do a lot of group pictures (small groups, recess, stations, centers, lunch, etc…) OR just keep a class list close by (LAMINATE IT!) – then re-use it each week. Just put a dot next to each name that you have a picture for!
Trust me… parents will LOVE and appreciate seeing the photographs!
You can also share class information this way (not only pictures!) Have a class party or field trip coming up? Post it! Need specific supplies brought in or a change in the daily schedule? Post it!
Social Media CAN be used in a positive way… and we can start in the classroom!
Personally communicate with parents each month!
As a parent (and a teacher!)… I LOVE to hear from my child’s teacher MORE than just the back-to-school conference. I want to know that my child is doing well…. or they are doing something special in class. (or maybe they need additional support) I want to keep in touch in-between the Beginning, Middle, and End of year assessment data.
This doesn’t mean that you have to go out to dinner with each parent…. HA! But… there are so many simple ways to keep parents in the loop!
Some possible communication outlets:
- Postcards
- Simple handwritten note
- Phone Call
- Face-to-Face (even if it’s just at dismissal!)
- Show a quick video (send to their email!)
- Text (if an option!)
You don’t have to write a novel each time… but just a simple note will do the trick! And again… try to be positive! Parents don’t want to hear ONLY the negative communication…. who does?!
You can even keep simple Student Shout Out cards close by (copy on some FESTIVE colored paper (astrobrights!) – and send regularly!)
Download for this will be at the end of the post!
Keep track of your parent communication!
We often *think* we have communicated enough with parents…. but do you really keep track?!
I have used this simple form for the last 3 years…. and it helps keep me in check!
In the box… I use a GREEN/RED system. Green indicates that the communication was a POSITIVE communication, Red will indicate that a “negative” communication was held. I hate to use the word “negative”… but simply a discussion was made that needed to occur about behavior, improvement, etc… that is out of the normal.
You can use a marker to record this OR the little circle garage sale stickers… or even a simple Bingo Dabber!
It just gives a great visual to YOU the teacher to truly show the communication that has transpired throughout the year for EACH child!
Provide class information in multiple forms!
Besides contacting parents for their own child… we still need to communicate WHAT is happening in the classroom! Surprises are NO fun when it comes to being a parent!
Now I say in multiple ways because not all parents may have email access…. some parents don’t want the paper hassle, some students go back and forth between parents or guardians… and you may need to provide class information in a variety of ways.
When it comes to class information… parents should be in the know of:
- Class events (holiday parties, field trips, field day, holiday events, etc…)
- Objectives being taught (what will their child be exposed to in the classroom)
- Materials needed from home (class project? class party?)
- What’s coming up (future learning targets, days off of school, early release dates)
- School Events (pep rally, talent show, open house, etc…)
Many classrooms have some form of newsletter that goes home…. whether it be the traditional paper copy (which can still be effective!) or through a digital outlet.
Want a variety of ways to communicate class information to parents?
Try one (or more) of these:
- Paper copy newsletter
- Google Drive – share it with parent emails
- Smore – www.smore.com – allows you to create a digital newsletter (with text and pictures!)
- Constant Contact – www.constantcontact.com – digital newsletters
- Remind 101
- Social Media class page
Find a template that works for you to allow for an easy change each week with the information being put into the newsletter! Trust me…. parents want to know what’s going on!
3-2-1 Student Reflections and Shout-Outs
This is an easy way to communicate with parents…. while giving positive and constructive feedback about their child!
You can choose to send this home how often you like…. once a month (for the go-getters!), once a grading period (6 weeks? 9 weeks?), or even one time a semester!
It looks something like this:
This is a 3-2-1 reflection:
The teacher will list 3 awesome observations of the student (positive comments, things the teacher has observed that were above and beyond).
List 2 areas of improvement (areas the student has grown in)
and 1 area of improvement (skills, behavior, etc…)
This form simply allows for multiple pieces of information to be given to the parent in one location.
BIT OF ADVICE: if you are going to mention something in the bottom box in “Teacher terms” where the parent may not have a clue what you are talking about… give an example!
Parent communication is KEY to a child’s success. When you keep the communication lines open throughout the year… it benefits all aspects of the child. When parents are informed of their child’s success, classroom information, and they are able to SEE it in action …. the year will be successful for YOU, the child, and the parents. Now… who wouldn’t want that?!
Want to grab these forms for a successful year of parent communication? Click HERE!
UPDATE: some viewers have messaged me saying that the link is not working and some say it is. This is the link you can type in should the link above not work:
bit.ly/ParentCommunicationFreebies
Now…. go enjoy the rest of your summer 🙂
Improving parent communication is one of my goals this year! Thanks for the great post and freebies. 🙂
I strive to communicate with parents regularly, but htese will help me document accurately. Thanks for your great reminders and the freebie.
Thanks so much for sharing these! I love the red/green idea to help make sure positive communication is you get home! It’s so easy to forget that part!
Great forms! Thank you