PARENT COMMUNICATION
CLASS DOJO
One efficient way to incorporate parent communication into the classroom is through Class Dojo. As mentioned in the Classroom Management section of my portfolio, Class Dojo allows teachers and parents to communicate through a text message style system. Teachers can also share messages and pictures with individual parents or the entire class' parents.
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CLASSROOM VISITS
Another form of parent communication is inviting parents in for special occasions, such as a mystery reader, a special project, a demonstration, or to accompany students on a field trip. Depending on the type of classroom, bringing parents in may be a little difficult. However, it is important to incorporate them into their child's learning so that they feel that they are a part of helping their child learn and grow.
WELCOME & FAREWELLÂ LETTERS
I also believe that at the beginning of the school year, the teacher should send home an introductory letter to the parents. This letter could just be a little summary about the teacher, their interests, their experience, and their education. Pictured is an example of a letter that I sent home to the parents of a one-year-old classroom that I was a teacher in. Click on the picture to download the PDF file.
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A letter at the end of the school year can also be beneficial. I believe that a letter to the parents, expressing your love of their child and the amount that you have learned and grown with them, is so important to leaving a lasting impact on the student and the family. Even if that student was not your easiest or most well behaved.
CURRICULUM LETTER
Finally, I believe that quick letters home explaining the new concepts the student will be working on in math, reading, and other subjects is very beneficial. A lot of complaints that I hear from parents is that they do not understand the new math their student is working on. Math changes year after year in terms of the method the student is supposed to use to complete the problem. Sending home a quick letter, explaining the topic/method the student will be working on, allows parents to better understand what their child is doing so that they can more easily help them at home. These letters could also include apps or links to websites the parents and students can use at home as well.
Pictured is a letter I sent home to families during my student teaching experience in a first grade classroom when we began working with base ten blocks. Click on the picture to download the PDF file of the whole letter.