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About This Daily Classroom Special
Back to School Night was created by former Teachers Network Web Mentor Kristi Thomas, Band Director at William F. Halley Elementary School, Fairfax Station, Virginia.
The time has arrived...
- As the parents enter your classroom, introduce yourself and allow them to introduce themselves. Try to remember which child goes with which parent. Do your best to make
verbal contact with each parent before you begin your presentation.
- Begin the presentation by introducing yourself - full name, experience you have had with children - student teaching, summer camps, tutoring...
It is not necessary to state that this is your very first year of teaching. If asked, a simple "yes" will do.
- Be sure to introduce assistants, aides or student teachers who are working with your class. Ask them to be
present if at all possible. These are people your students will be working with, and it is important for the parents to
get to know them as well.
- STAY POSITIVE. Focus on your
expectations and goals. Remain professional
in your comments regarding your students' past
learning experiences.
- Present
you
philosophy
on
how
you
feel
children
learn
and
a
little
about
your
style
of
presenting
information.
- Try
to
avoid
fumbling
with
papers.
Work
your
way
through
the
school
day
using
the
schedule
you
have
written
on
the
board
as
a
reference.
Be
sure
you
have
read
the
curriculum
so
you
know
about
what
each
unit
will
entail.
- Be
sure
to
pause
for
questions
and
answers
at
several
points
in
your
presentation.
Ask
the
parents
if
they
feel
clear
about
what
you
have
said,
before
moving
on
to
the
next
topic.
Conclude
your
presentation
with
a
final
chance
for
parents
to
ask
questions.
Be
patient,
take
a
moment
to
think
before
you
respond.
- If
you don't
know the
answer to
a question,
say "I
don't
know,
but
I
will
see
what
I
can
find
out
and
get
back
to
you." Write
the
question
down
that
second
so
that
they
see
that
their
concerns
are
important
to
you.
- Go
over the
grading system
used in
the school
for your
grade level.
Discuss the
criteria for
an "A" or
an "S." Be
sure
you
understand
the
school's
grading
policy,
and
how
you
are
implementing
it
in
the
classroom.
This
is
generally
a
very
important
topic
to
present
clearly
and
correctly,
and
is
one
that
will
frequently
result
in
questions.
- Discuss
supplies
you
want
the
children
to
have.
Have
extra
copies
of
your
supply
list
available.
Be
specific.
- Let
the
parents
know
how
to
contact
you,
and
what
form
your
communication
will
take
with
them
(e.g.,
weekly
newsletter,
monthly
calendar,
web
site.)
Share
you
email
address,
if
that
is
an
option.
- Start
on time.
Finish on
time. Some
parents will
linger afterwards
- be
as gracious
as possible.
Suggest you
walk out
together.
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