Parent Teacher Conferences

It is getting to be that dreaded time again, also known as Parent Teacher Conferences. This will be my second Parent Teacher Conference and it is still as nerve-racking as the first time. After talking with the first grade lead teacher, she assured me that they never get any less nerve-racking, but you just learn how to handle them in your own way. The conferences in the fall went perfect, other than that one father who stated "Are you even old enough to teach my son?" ... Took me a minute to rebound from that one, but I simply smiled and said, "Yes sir, I am" and continued on with the conference. I have found many helpful tools on Pinterest and Teachers Pay Teachers to help guide my conferences and help me to stay on track. With only 15 minutes for each meeting, it is crucial to stay on topic. I also like to provide my families with some literature to take home. I like to provide them with ways they can encourage, promote and support their child's learning at home. This time around, I have some fun little bookmarks with decoding strategies on them that I made for parents to take home to their child. I also have a colorful little pamphlet from Teachers Pay Teachers that I edited to fit our classroom/school. This pamphlet includes math strategies, sight word practice ideas, reading strategies to try, and some helpful educational websites.  I like to have a sign in sheet as well, for a few reasons. This way I can stay on track if parents are waiting in the hallway, I will know who is next (even though I have a list of conferences and times posted, it still helps) and also because it helps me to address the parents by the correct name. Since sometimes parents do not have the same last name as the child, this helps me to figure out their correct last name. Below are some pictures of the little set up I have ready for next week's parent teacher conferences.