Want to hear from a teacher, principal, and parent about the secrets of Back to School Night?
Feel free to print out this list.
10 Parent Tips for Back to School Night
1. Attend. Make the effort to attend this critical gathering of teachers and parents. Every child should have a family representative present.
2. Bring a box of tissues with you so the teacher doesn’t have to buy them.
3. Introduce yourself to the teacher. Keep it brief and pleasant. This is an opportunity to meet, not conference.
4. Listen to the teacher’s talk. It’s okay to ask general or clarifying questions. You don’t want to be the parent who asks a long-winded question particular to their child.
5. Take notes. Not everything important appears on handouts.
6. Find out how the teacher wants you to support your student at home. Should you assist with homework or not? Read every night? How much help should you give on student projects?
7. Walk around the room. How are the walls used for teaching and learning? This applies to middle and secondary schools, too. A blank wall speaks. Jam-packed walls do, too.
8. Look for evidence of creativity. What have students made or written? If not visible, ask what opportunities for creativity are planned.
9. Look for evidence of rote learning. Memorization is okay to a point, even necessary at times. However, rote and memorization should lead to understanding, using, and thinking.
10. Send the teacher a thank you note. Teachers rarely get these–so be the parent who appreciates the huge effort to prepare for your child’s Back to School Night.
Have questions? Email them to Kathy@Education-Spring.com
Education Spring 