Objective: To create an informational pamphlet to give to families to encourage them to become an integral part of classroom life and to evaluat
Objective:
To create an informational pamphlet to give to families to encourage them to become an integral part of classroom life and to evaluate your pamphlet.
Scenario:
You are a first-year teacher in a preschool that aims to strengthen parent–teacher relationships. Drawing on your student teaching experience, you realize the importance of involving families in the daily lives of their children before the school year even begins. You also realize the importance of letting parents know that they have a place in your classroom. You are inspired to create an informational pamphlet to give to families two weeks before the school year begins. You begin with an overview of what parents can expect at parent–teacher conferences.
Design a pamphlet for families that includes three major topics you plan to discuss with them at the first parent–teacher conference. Be sure to present all information in a warm, supportive manner that will help parents understand your goal of creating partnerships with them.
Chapter 9
Parent-Teacher Conferences
Gestwicki, Home, School, and Community, 9th Edition. © 2016 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
Preview Questions
What do you know about the purposes of parent conferences?
Can you identify some of the strategies for planning and conducting parent conferences?
What are some of the pitfalls to avoid in parent conferences?
Gestwicki, Home, School, and Community, 9th Edition. © 2016 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
Importance of Regular Conferences
To provide a developmental overview
To provide time and privacy
To increase mutual knowledge
To formulate goals
Gestwicki, Home, School, and Community, 9th Edition. © 2016 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
Groundwork for Successful Conferences
Explain purpose of conference to parents
Plan for uninterrupted time
Plan for private location
Plan goals and materials to be discussed
Prepare parents for their participatory role
Gestwicki, Home, School, and Community, 9th Edition. © 2016 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
Help Parents Prepare
Gestwicki, Home, School, and Community, 9th Edition. © 2016 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
Teacher Preparation (1 of 2)
Conference Preparation
Time scheduled.
Coverage in classroom arranged.
Staff lounge reserved.
Organization of anecdotal records and portfolio.
Handout sent for parent preparation.
Gestwicki, Home, School, and Community, 9th Edition. © 2016 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
Teacher Preparation (2 of 2)
Conference Preparation
Parent contacted for observation appointment.
List of questions prepared.
Outline of topics prepared.
Plan for opening examples.
Environment prepared—snacks, writing materials, privacy sign.
Gestwicki, Home, School, and Community, 9th Edition. © 2016 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
Strategies for Successful Conferences
Help parents feel at ease
Begin with positive attitude and comments
Encourage parent participation
Active listening: paraphrasing and reflecting
Summarize for parents
Copies of assessment tools
Gestwicki, Home, School, and Community, 9th Edition. © 2016 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
Revisiting
Consider any experiences you have had participating in or observing parent-teacher conferences. Can you recall specific examples of some of these principles in action? Or, can you identify which of these principles would have improved the conferences?
Gestwicki, Home, School, and Community, 9th Edition. © 2016 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
Pitfalls to Avoid in Conferences (1 of 2)
Avoid using technical terminology
Avoid the role of “expert”
Avoid negative evaluations
Gestwicki, Home, School, and Community, 9th Edition. © 2016 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
Pitfalls to Avoid in Conferences (2 of 2)
Avoid unprofessional conversation
Avoid giving advice
Avoid rushing into solutions
Gestwicki, Home, School, and Community, 9th Edition. © 2016 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
Think About It
Can you describe a specific example of each pitfall? It is important to recognize these.
Gestwicki, Home, School, and Community, 9th Edition. © 2016 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
Conference Evaluation
Planning for follow up and next steps
Self-evaluation
How prepared was I?
How well did I listen?
How well did I involve the parents?
Parent evaluation
How valuable was the conference?
Did I get new ideas about my child?
Gestwicki, Home, School, and Community, 9th Edition. © 2016 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
Summary
Productive parent-teacher conferences need:
Planning and preparation to achieve goals
Time and privacy for discussion
Strategies to facilitate two-way communication and sharing of information, questions, and ideas
Respect for each participant’s expertise
A positive focus on child’s progress and development.
Gestwicki, Home, School, and Community, 9th Edition. © 2016 Cengage. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part.
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