Quick and Easy Ways to Connect with Students

This hands-on guidebook provides simple strategies for creating a supportive environment where parents, students, and teachers all work toward success in the classroom.

Preface

ix

About the Author

xiii

Part I: Connecting With Students

1

(30)

Having Students Introduce Themselves

3

(4)

Getting to Know Your Students

4

(1)

Preparing for Introduction Activities

5

(2)

Greeting Students

7

(4)

Standing in the Best Place

7

(1)

Greeting Every Child

8

(1)

Making the Greeting Personal

8

(1)

Managing Your Greeting Time

9

(1)

Creating a Healthy Climate at Your School

9

(2)

Making the Most of Classroom Time

11

(8)

Handing Back Papers

12

(1)

Collecting Work

13

(1)

Commenting on Student Work

13

(2)

Writing to the Teacher

15

(1)

Initiating Informal Student-Teacher Conferences

16

(1)

Using Non-Instructional Time

16

(3)

Congratulating Students With Certificates

19

(4)

Creating Certificates

19

(3)

Presenting Certificates

22

(1)

Connecting With Your Students Through the Curriculum

23

(4)

Sharing Your Personal Life With Students

24

(1)

Responding to Personal Questions

25

(1)

Connecting Curriculum to Your Life

25

(2)

Recognizing Your Students as Stars

27

(4)

Finding Out About Your Students

27

(2)

Using Your Knowledge About Students

29

(2)

Part II: Connecting With Parents

31

(76)

Sending Home Your Introduction Letter

33

(6)

Writing Your Letter

33

(5)

Preparing to Send the Letter Home

38

(1)

Learning About Your Students From Their Parents

39

(6)

Using a Parent Survey

40

(2)

Using Parent Letters

42

(3)

Presenting at Back-to-School Night

45

(4)

Preparing for Parents

45

(1)

Organizing Your Presentation

46

(3)

Requesting Parent Suggestions

49

(8)

Documenting Classroom Procedures and Expectations

50

(2)

Clarifying Procedures After a Few Weeks

52

(2)

Surveying Parents at the End of Unit/Quarter

54

(3)

Conducting Parent-Teacher Conferences

57

(6)

Preparing for Conferences

58

(1)

Meeting the Parents

59

(1)

Recording Important Details After the Conference

60

(3)

Thanking Parents

63

(6)

Thanking Parents for the Tough Job They Do

63

(1)

Sending Back-to-School Night Thank-You's

64

(1)

Reaching Uninvolved Parents

65

(1)

Following Parent Contacts With Thank-You Notes

66

(3)

Contacting Parents Using E-mail

69

(8)

Creating an E-mail Account

69

(3)

Communicating With All Parents

72

(1)

Contacting Parents Individually

72

(4)

E-mailing Grade Updates

76

(1)

Phoning Home

77

(8)

Calling for a Job Well Done

78

(1)

Calling Home to Avoid a Problem

79

(3)

Using Automated Phone Calls

82

(3)

Mailing Home Good News Postcards

85

(6)

Using Postcards

86

(2)

Sending Home Postcards

88

(3)

Inviting Parents to Visit

91

(8)

Sending Open Invitations

92

(1)

Inviting Parents to Volunteer in the Class

92

(1)

Preparing for a Visit

93

(1)

Inviting Parents for Class Presentations

94

(1)

Inviting Parents to Gain Support for a Difficult Child

95

(4)

Getting Attention From the Media

99

(8)

Using Your Local Education Reporter

100

(2)

Using a Press Release

102

(1)

Using Other Newspaper Outlets

103

(1)

Gaining Outside Recognition for Students

104

(3)

Resource: Sample Forms and Letters

107

(26)

Index

133

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Quick and Easy Ways to Connect with Students and Their Parents, Grades K-8 : Improving Student Achievement Through Parent Involvement

Summary

Table of Contents

Supplemental Materials