Parent Teacher Conferences

It's hard to believe that it's mid-October and we are thinking about conferences!  We have just one parent/teacher conference time per year and it's in early November.  We obviously meet with parents on an as-needed basis again in the early spring.  Our conferences are spread over three days (two evenings and one full day).  We like to give parents lots of options!  How many times to you have conferences?  Today's post is all about what I do to prepare for the big event!  I hope you find this post beneficial.

The first thing I do to prep is send home a sign up sheet for conferences.  This is created by our school.  Once parents send that sheet back, I create my schedule using the pink sheet shown below.  I then send home confirmation reminders (orange and green sheets).  I typically do this about two weeks prior to conferences.  I like to send these home on bright paper so they stand out and don't get lost! 

A few weeks prior to conferences, I begin thinking about talking points for each child in various areas.  I fill out one of the yellow pages below for each child.  I keep this in front of me during their conference and share my thoughts/observations with parents.  This helps keep my brain organized and helps ensure I remember everything I want to say.  This document can be printed two-sided.  The back has behavior, science, social studies, and "other" boxes.  This document is for me and I do not send it home with families.

The week of conferences I have my students complete a self-reflection.  This is a great tool to use as your opener for conferences.  My kids are always honest on these.  Like adults, kids know what they need to work on and what they are doing well with.  The parents always love seeing these. 

I copy a glow/grow sheet for each child.  Remember the talking points sheet I mentioned above?  I take three strengths from that and place one in each of the "glow" boxes here.  I also write one "grow."  The grow is something I'd like the child to work on in the next quarter.  These sheets go home with families, so they can remember what we discussed.

As parents arrive, they sign in.  I leave this sheet in the hallway.  I also post the pink sign on  my door.  No one likes to be interrupted during conferences!

Parents are always asking about what they can do at home; these number, spelling, and website/app pages are good resources to give out at the end of conferences.

Kids love hearing all the things they are doing well!  I ask parents to write a note to their child detailing what good things they heard during conferences.  I keep these and we read them as a class once conferences have all been held.

Teachers are always in need of donations!  Placing this giving tree sign and apple cutouts outside your classroom door with the provided sign-up sheet allows parents the opportunity to donate supplies to your room.  These are usually items we don't ask for at the beginning of the year; many are purchased with our own money.

Sometimes the kids come with their parents to conferences and sometimes they don't.  I like to be prepared for them coming (along with siblings) so I place coloring sheets and crayons in the hallway.  I also place a basket of books out there.  Usually if a child comes, I have them sit in for the majority of the conference.  If we have something difficult or uncomfortable to discuss, I'll have the child sit in the hall and color while the adults finish our conversation.

I have the kids write their names and color the page shown below prior to their conference.  They leave it on their desk for their families to see.  The families always love looking inside the desks! 

As a thank-you for coming, I will pass out a snack.  I usually do popcorn and use the tags shown below. 

If you'd like to purchase my best-selling conference pack, simply click the cover below.  Have a great conference season!!

xo
Megan

Conferences

This week is conference week!  I dread the long, Thursday...we teach all day Thursday and then have conferences after school until 9:00 pm.  Then, we have conferences all day Friday until 3:00pm.  It's an exhausting 2 days!  We also have an additional evening conference the following Thursday and then have to teach that Friday.  YUCK!  Anyhow, this pas weekend I was busy getting everything ready to go!  Because of my #1 selling Parent Teacher Conference pack, the organizational piece is a breeze.  I have all my forms ready...the main thing I have to do is collect my thoughts and get my talking points ready.  I have a pretty good class this year, so conferences shouldn't be too bad!

Early in the year, after I've finished assessing my kids on their Beginning of the Year Assessments, I sort them all into their own folders.  **I also give the same assessments again in November to show growth.**  One folder per child.  This makes grabbing conference materials easy.  A day or two before An hour before conferences begin {LOL}, I order the folders in the order of my conferences.  I place the folders on my table where I'll be meeting with families.

I update my guided reading level chart.  *This chart is found in my data binder pack.  This is an excellent visual for parents to see where their child began, where they are now, and how they compare to their peers.  This is especially helpful to show those advanced and below-level readers.  It puts things into perspective for parents.

On my conference table, I have a basket of goodies of some sort to give to parents for coming.  I typically do popcorn, but have done S'mores, also.

The kids get their desks ready before leaving school.  They do not take their data binders home on Thursday; they stay on their desks for conferences.  The binders are a great tool to lead our conference discussion.

I keep any handouts I'll be sharing with parents on my table.  This is an old photo below, but many handouts I give to parents are included in my conference pack.  **And especially helpful is a timer!  I do not like to run behind.  Mainly because many of our families have young siblings and I know it's hard to keep them entertained them in the hallway.  Speaking of hallway, placing a basket of books and some coloring pages and crayons is another thing that I do.

I place a "Giving Tree" page on my conference table in case parents want to donate something small to our classroom.  I try to include things that aren't too expensive and are staples for our room.  If they want, they can take an apple.

There you have it!  Easy-peasy!  Mostly everything shown in this post is found in my Conference Pack.  If not, it's been hyper-linked throughout the post.

Click below to see more tips!

xo
Megan

Tips for Holding Successful Conferences

Conference season is here!  It always seems so far away when we go back to school but then in sneaks in like a snake!  October is the month when everything "hits the fan" for me.  I know I am not alone!  We just finally get into the swing of things, the behaviors get under control, and then BOOM: Columbus Day.  Halloween.  Conferences.  End of Term.  Testing.  You get the drift!  I wanted to put together a post to share some of my best tips for holding successful conferences.  These are things that I have done for many years now and have made conferences go very smoothly.

Send home reminders--Everyone is busy.  Including parents.  I recommend sending a reminder home as soon as your schedule is ready.  You may also want to send an additional reminder the day of.

Be prepared--Sort out student materials ahead of time.  Have a file folder for each child.  Include test scores and work samples.  Put the file folders in order of your conference schedule {first conference of the night on top, last one on bottom}.  I also use an organizer that helps me remembe talking points for each child.  I fill these out ahead of time.  It's easy to get flustered and forget what you want to tell parents.

You will want to keep everything you'll need at your table with you.  My conferences are only 20 minutes and I am sure yours are short, as well.  You don't want to be flying around your room looking unprepared.  Here is what I keep on my table:

• pens/pencils
• file folders for each child with work samples/test results inside
• mints
• water bottle
• timer
• notebook
• contact cards 
• copy of each child's report card
• ideas for practice at home
• treats for parents/kids {optional}

Include students--I do invite my students to their conferences.  It helps to include them in the discussion.  It seems to make more of an impact on the kids when they are included.  They love to hear what they are doing well and will benefit from you sharing the room for improvement areas. Obviously there are some instances where you will have to politely ask a child to "read in the hallway so you can talk to mommy/daddy."  Not everything should be discussed around a child, particularly if you are having trouble with him/her.

Keep to your schedule.  No matter what--You have to.  If not, you will have p***** off parents who are kept waiting in the hallway.  You will also be annoyed when your teammates are leaving and you are still sitting in a conference after the night is supposedly over because you ran over.  Keeping a timer on your table will keep you on track.  If you feel awkward about the timer, break the ice right away and let parents know that you want to keep on schedule and will be setting a timer.  If parents want to talk, talk, talk, and you are out of time, kindly let them know that you can call them to discuss their child another time.

Keep your guests in the hallway entertained while waiting--I recommend a basket of books for little ones and parents to read while waiting.  I also put out class books that we've made.  Kids love showing their parents those!  Crayons and coloring sheets/drawing paper are good ideas.  Most of the time, siblings will be along and they get fidgety while waiting!  I also have a desk set up for "The Giving Tree."  This is just a sign and some apple cards with things we need for the classroom. Parents can take an apple home if they'd like to donate something.

Be confident--No matter how long you've been teaching, there is always some anxiety before conferences.  Try to be yourself and be confident!  You are the expert.  You went to school for years for teaching.  You have the best interest of all of your children in mind.  Give yourself a pep talk before beginning!  You can do it!

Here is what I share with parents and how my conferences look.  I even keep a list of my run-down in front of me.  

1.  Introductions
2.  Ask if there are questions about the report card
3.  Ask how they feel their child likes school
4.  Share several positives
5.  Share any areas for improvement
6.  Review present levels/testing information
7.  Verify contact info. is still correct
8.  Invite students to write a note to their child
9.  Show giving tree
10. Give out resources/information on ways they can help their child
11. Give a small gift/treat

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Conferences

We have 2 Thursday nights {5:00-9:00} and 1 full Friday for conferences.  Seems like a lot.  I've said that every year but they like to offer 2 night choices I guess.  Conferences were last week and it was a whirl-wind of a week!  I was Last-Minute Lucy and procrastinated on the sorting of the paperwork.  I got it all done, so it wasn't too big of a deal!  Also, I was so happy to have my Parent Teacher Conference pack to get me through.  I swear I don't know how I got through conferences before without it!

So the night before conferences I realized that I had nothing hanging in the hallway outside my door. I woke up suddenly at 3:30 a.m. realizing this.  #thisismylife  I ALWAYS change out the things outside my door.  How could I have let this happen?!?!  As soon as I woke up Thursday morning, I zoomed to my computer and searched for a craft for my kids to make.  We had been studying fiction and had read one of my favorites, Corduroy during the week.  We did a graphic organizer from my Differentiated Graphic Organizers pack to go with it.  I knew I could find a simple Corduroy craft...and low and behold...THIS saved my butt!  Thank you, Rhonda!  Although I don't know you, you are a life-saver!  

So back to Wednesday night around 8:00 pm---This is what my basement looked like while I was sorting {but my entire floor was full of piles-too ashamed to photograph the whole thing!}: 

I had all of my kids most recent assessments done and all forms/papers copied.  I just made a stack for each child.  Once at school, I placed the stacks into hanging file folders.  I did yellow folders for the 1st Thursday night conferences and green for the Friday conferences.  I put the folders in order in a hanging file folder caddy.  I left it on the floor next to me so I wouldn't have a lot on my table.  As the conferences began, I just snagged the folder I needed and went through the contents in order.  

I updated my class reading level and Math unit test graphs.  I moved them to behind my table for conference time so I could reference them during conferences.  Having these visuals really shows parents where their kids are in perspective to the class as a whole.  I had mine blown up at Office Depot a few months ago.

I had some handouts ready to give the parents, which they always appreciate.  Most were from my conference pack but the website one is from A Year of Many Firsts.

Conferences went off without a hitch this year!  I'm glad to have most of them over with.  Now it's full speed ahead to Christmas!  Oh year, and Thanksgiving, too!  LOL!  Have a great evening!

xo

Megan 

Parent Teacher Conferences

Can it be?!?  Is it already the end of the grading period?  I feel like we just started.  How about you?  Have you had conferences already?  When are yours if not?  Ours are in just a few weeks!  I feel like this is one of the most exhausting times of the whole year!  All the prep and planning that goes into conferences.  The late nights at school meeting with families...you know the drill.

A few years ago, I decided I wanted to make conference time easier for myself and other teachers out there so I created my Conference Pack.  It's full of tips, photographs, and printable organizational tools to make your life during conference time EASIER!  I love everything about this pack, as do many others; this is the #1 selling product in my Teachers Pay Teachers store!  This pack has been a lifesaver.  I no longer stress out about conferences.  I know that once I print everything out from here, I am golden!

Plan your talking points with the included planning sheets.  Provide ideas for parents to work with their kids at home with the suggested activity pages.  Get classroom supplies donated with the "Giving Tree" display.  Give your parents a treat for coming!  Lots of goodies.  Lots of organization.  Lots of stress.  Leaving your mind.  Check it out below!

xo
Megan 

Conference Week=Exhaustion

Whew! Week one of conferences is OVER!  As I mentioned on an earlier post, I said that we do our conferences for 2 Thursday nights and 1 full Friday.  It's a lot.  The first Thursday, we do not have school on Friday because that is the Friday conference day.  The second Thursday, we do have school the Friday after.  It makes for an exhausting 2 weeks!  I am curious: how do your conferences go?  Do you also have multiple days?

Luckily, conference prep is minimal stress for me, because I use everything from my conference pack.  It's truly been a life-saver the past few years.  I shared it with my teammates {2 of which are subs} and they were ecstatic to have it to help them get organized.

The week of conferences, I give my students the self-evaluation.  I am always blown away at how honest they are!  They know that they'll be sharing it at conferences and they want to tell the truth.  Also during the week of, I purchase items for my conference treats {more about these at the bottom of this post}.

The day of conferences,  I  get the area right outside my door ready by putting out a tub of books with my sign and a few chairs.  Books are nice to have out because just in case I run behind, there is something for the kids to do while waiting.  I also set up my conference "Giving Tree."  The giving tree gives parents an opportunity to help out by donating products that we frequently use in our classroom {napkins, cups, plates, Clorox wipes, extra crayons, markers, etc...}.  They sign up for an item on the sign up sheet and take the apple as a reminder to purchase it.

book tub

This is the worst tree I've ever seen.  It looks like an ice-cream cone {no judging!!!}!

I have lots of handouts copied and ready for parents.  This year, I used my Spelling & Math ideas {both included in my pack}, a list of educational websites {from A Year of Many Firsts}, Fry word lists for 1st and 2nd grade {from my Writing Workshop Resource Kit}, and a list of books leveled by guided reading levels {I've had this for years and do not have a digital copy...so sorry!}.  The parents are so appreciative to get these ideas to use at home! *Sidebar: yes, that is a timer in the background.  If you are a new teacher, I recommend setting it to keep you on track.  I have mine out just in case!  Parents do not like to wait!

handouts for parents 

We include students in our conferences at my building.  I like it because it gives the kids ownership of their learning and progress and also allows for them to reflect on their behavior and progress.  We begin by going over the self-evaluation.  Next, we move on to information in the student data binders.  Both students and parents are familiar with this information because we've been using our binders all year.  They also serve as take-home folders, so the parents see the data being updated constantly.  On conference days, I ask students to leave their binders and conference coloring sheets on their desks.

student desk 

When running my conferences, I refer to my conference notes sheets to help guide the conversation.  I like these because they help me remember key points that I want to share with families.  As the conference concludes, I give out a treat.  Last year I gave s'mores.  This year I did popcorn.

parent gifts 

I have found my conference pack to be such a useful tool and have received nothing but fantastic feedback from teachers all around the world.  It is my #1 selling product in my store.  Take a moment to check it out if you haven't already!  There are several editable pages included for you.  I also have a fully editable, ESL version!  I hope your conferences went/are going well!

xo
Megan