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Emma - My name is Emma McDonald and I am one of the author's of Survival Kit for New Teachers.
Emma - I'll be the hostess for tonight's chat. Our topic is on Parent Communication.
Emma - My partner (who is unable to be here) and myself mentor new teachers through this chat, several mail rings, and our web site, Beginning Teacher's Tool Box at http://www.inspiringteachers.com
Emma - Tonight I am here to help answer any questions you may have regarding communicating with parents.
morrey - how do i tell parents student have zero's in class for cheating on tests?
jlingo - Someone please fax me your discipline plan for elementary at 1-417-8627382
JD - Hi Emma, Do you have any suggestions as to keep parent communication in a third grade classroom
Emma - Parents need to be informed right away if a student was cheating and received a zero as a consequence. They will get very upset if they find out at the end of the six weeks. That should be a zero that cannot be made up. Go ahead and call them and let them know what happened.
jlingo - hi everybody, we are revamping our discipline plan can anyone suggest a good one??
Emma - Although the parents will probably be mad, they will be more upset at their student than at you. You may even want to call them in for a parent conference to discuss the situation and any action that should be taken.
Emma - JD - what exactly are you looking for? There are several things that every teacher should do to enhance their parent communication.
Emma - jlingo - what grade level?
JD - Discipline and maybe some learning difficulty issues
Emma - Jlingo - Tonight's discussion is about parent communication, but if you e-mail me, I'll be more than happy to send you the name of a principal who has a GREAT discipline plan. My e-mail is emma@tenet.edu
JD - I am also wondering about what to do when parents come in and are concerned with their child's ability to do well by comparing his/her child to the other classmates
Emma - Also, our book, SURVIVAL KIT FOR NEW TEACHERS, outlines a discipline plan called Self-Manager Program. You can find out more information at http://www.inspiringteachers.com
exsub - Hello. I'm just beginning student teaching. I was a substitute teacher for 2 1/2 years. I finally decided that, maybe, I could handle teaching.
Emma - JD - You need to redirect their concern and explain that each child is different. You do not want to encourage them to compare their child to others!
JD - I am student teaching right now and there has been a parent who had brought her child in afterschool to tell the teacher that the child isupset because he will never be able to read Harry potter books, what would you do if this happened
JD - how long does it take for me to receive the book Survival Kit for new teachers?
Emma - Why does this parent feel that the child won't ever be able to read the Harry Potter books? Is the student a low reader?
Emma - JD - If you order over the internet, or call us, it will take roughly 3 days for you to get the book, SURVIVAL KIT FOR NEW TEACHERS.
exsub - What do you do when a student of yours isn't getting any aid from parents, siblings, other relatives, or anyone beyond the school?
JD - Yes the student is a slow and I think a low reader.
JD - Will the number be on the website?
Emma - What I would recommend is to have someone read with the student, OR to have someone tape record themselves reading the book aloud. This way the student can listen to the story and try to follow along. Just because a student is a slow reader doesn't mean that they can't enjoy a good story. However, I would encourage the parent to spend some time each night reading the book with their child. This is good for both parent & child. Encourage them to take turns reading a couple of paragraphs at a time. This way the student won't be so frustrated.
Emma - JD - Yes the number is on the web site, but I can give it to you here - 1-877-496-7633. It is toll free.
JD - I don't think the parent is willing to support or do her part at home. From what I know and its not much about this parent is that she has been a hard parent to work with.
Emma - Exsub - You do your best to give them the support you can when you can give it. That is a tough situation, but one faced by many of our students. It makes it tougher on the teacher to have to put so much effort into one student, but it can be worth it. Also, let your school counselor know what is going on and that the student needs some support. He/she may be able to help as well.
Snowstorm - Emma is your book available at bookstores like Borders?
Emma - JD - Well then, I suggest that either you or the classroom teacher record yourself reading the book. When you can, read with the student in class.
morrey - what do i tell or how do i tell parents of students with f 's?
Snowstorm - Emma how is Dyan doing?
Emma - If you know that you have student's who are failing, the parents need to be notified as soon as possible. They should receive a progress report at 3 weeks. This report should show the current grade and should list the assignments that are missing.
Snowstorm - Emma I hope to meet some parents at back to school nt this tue
Emma - Don't wait until the week before the end of the 6 weeks to tell parents that their child is failing. This does not give them enough time to work with their student to turn in the missing work. It will make the parents very frustrated and will put the year off to a bad start.
exsub - This is a big problem where I live. The younger students all have very negative role models in their lives. I've met many children who's parents are in jail, in rehab centers and there isn't anyone who can raise them to even teach morals. It really burns me.
Emma - There are a couple of different progress reports in our book, Survival Kit for New Teachers, that you can copy and use.
Emma - Snowstorm - Dyan is doing very well and so are the triplets! They are all gaining weight and are breathing room air on their own! Yeah!!
Emma - Back to school or Open House is an excellent way to meet parents and get off to a positive start. Be prepared with handouts of information about your classroom procedures, grading policies,upcoming field trips, volunteer opportunities, and a wish list.
Snowstorm - Emma that's great to hear, can't imagine having three babies at the same time
Lizz - Emma, I have a class in a population like exsub's (parents in jail, etc.) How do I talk to parents about bad behavior, without having it sound like I am coming on too strong. I teach K-1 and I am not a new teacher, really, but I have a problem with this. Many parents think their kids should be able to "be kids". We are on a lot of pressure from the state of CA to have 5 year olds READING......
Emma - Exsub - I've been there! It is hard, but I always felt it so rewarding to work with those at-risk students. They need so much love and nurturing. It was hard, but in the end they all appreciated it and some even went on to better themselves.
Snowstorm - Emma I met one yesterday, new student and she seemed to have a disapproving look at me
Emma - Lizz - You might try taking it from the state requirement angle - "I understand that you want to give... extra time to learn, but the state requires that all 5 year olds are reading. What can we do to make this happen? Let's work together."
Lizz - What to do about those parents that complain to the principal before they come to you?
Emma - Snowstorm - some parents are just like that. Try to stay as positive and upbeat as you possibly can. It may be that that parent is looking for a business like teacher. Find out what her concerns and interests are and you should be able to get a handle on that particular parent.
Emma - Lizz - Why don't you let the principal know that this is a problem and ask him/her to refer those parents back to you before handling the situation? I've had that happen before and my principal respected my request.
Snowstorm - Emma I was told she does not like white teachers for her son
exsub - Emma--What do I do about the large percentage of the class who don't want to work. These kids believe that their schools are day care centers as well as their parents.
Emma - Lizz - Another thing is to be ultra prepared with documentation of when and where you informed, sent home information, called, etc.
Lizz - I have only worked with at-risk students. Yes, exsub this is a problem in our school, too. We are year-round, so during the summer we get many transient enrollees who are looking for a full time free day care.
Lizz - They move in September and then you get about 10 new kids so you have to start all over again
DahilDosan - . Always keep a log. of the disruptive students-)
Emma - Snowstorm - That is a tough problem. You will be tested by that all year long. In the end you will have to "prove" to that parent that her son is just as important as everyone else and that his color does not matter to you. This is tough to do and if the student gets into trouble, she may come in with the attitude that it is because of his skin color.
exsub - Same here liz
DahilDosan - I also keep track of all the calls I make to the parents date and time
Emma - Make sure that you document the specific action and/or words spoken that were inappropriate. Be sure to leave all emotion out of your reports.
exsub - There really is no education appreciation with a lot of the kids and their families. We get no backup from administration, either.
Lizz - Yes, exsub, it sounds like my situation, too
Emma - Lizz - I totally understand. I have been there before. My advice is that you teach them the best that you can. You do your very best so that in your heart you know you gave them all you had and then you don't take it personally when they leave. It isn't easy...sigh...
Emma - When there is lack of support from the administration, the teachers must take on an even larger role. You are everything - teacher, caregiver, nurturer, and disciplinarian.
DahilDosan - I always try to contact the parents before the situation get out of hand. I also talk to parents in fornt of another colleague, and start telling them something positive about the student.
exsub - We are the parents, brothers, sisters, teachers. and even the school counselors since where I'm at we have a big lack of.
Emma - When working with parents who are constantly on the move, try and make contact as quickly as possible. Let them know that you want to hear from them and that you want to work together to help their child learn. Sometimes it takes extra effort, but you've got to keep trying. If nothing else, it lets your students know that you care enough to keep after their parents. What else can you do? You can only do your personal best to see that those children get the best possible education!
exsub - My school district has one counselor for every 2000 students. Not good.
Emma - Yes DahilDosan! Always start a parent conference whether it is on the phone or in person with positive comments. This will let the parents know that you are there to help them, not against them. Also, be careful of how you phrase specific behaviors. Be sure that you have documentation to back up what you are saying about their child. Also, be sure to phrase things in such a way that show parents you are trying to work with them to help their child do better in school.
Emma - One thing that I felt was always beneficial was to send home a progress report of work habits, behavior, and academics. I tried to send this home every couple of weeks so that the parents would know what their child is doing.
Emma - It is important to make specific comments also. For example, "... is not turning in writing assignments" or "...is not keeping his/her hands to themself." etc.
DahilDosan - I also call parents to tell them positive things about their child. This way parents are more supportive.
Emma - What an excellent way to foster good communication! I have little notes that say, "I like what you did today" and I try to list something specific.
Emma - I have found that it is very effective to talk to parents in such a way that make them understand that you and they need to be partners in helping their student. I try to take on a very sympathetic and understanding role towards the parent so that we can figure out how to help their child.
Emma - For other ways to foster postive parent communication, see our book, SURVIVAL KIT FOR NEW TEACHERS. It has an entire chapter on parent communication. For more information, visit our site, Beginning Teacher's Tool Box at http://www.inspiringteachers.com
Emma - Goodbye!
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