… Davis suggests that parents ask, "What can I do to support you in the classroom?" One the first thing that successful teachers do with their students is connect with them. QUESTIONS TO ASK PARENTS This worksheet may be used as a template to communicate with families of students with autism spectrum disorders. hbspt.cta._relativeUrls=true;hbspt.cta.load(1615786, 'b596e5f1-0a53-4aa2-9f43-d09dce8d11b3', {}); All Rights Reserved. As long as you’re making yourself available to parents and keeping an open communication line, you’re setting yourself up for success. Teacher2Teacher is a community that shares effective practices and innovations so educators can connect and grow together. Check out with these 4 questions teachers should ask parents so that you can learn how to better help your students in the classroom. What skills are being addressed in class right now, and how do they tie into the overall goals of the school year? But far too often, we fail to ask them even a single question about their child before we teach them, everyday, for an entire school year. 6. Figuring out to how to deal with the summer slide and traumas resulting from the pandemic are just two of the biggest concerns. Monika. While you will realistically only have time for a few questions, this list of 50 is a great resource to help you build understanding and communication with your child’s teacher. However, answering this question is not always easy. Both parties are nervous about meeting each other and about what to say in the short time allocated — usually ten to fifteen minutes. Some questions you might consider asking include: 1. As always, feel free to make a copy and make it your own. As a result, I have also had my encounters with a wide variety of parents. What do they have a hard time with? What do you think are the academic challenges for my child? Getting this information up front means that every parent has the opportunity to provide the most effective contact information and to request a certain amount of communication. So how do we get parents more involved? 4. It's always a good idea to have a grasp of the school curriculum and learn how the teacher approaches teaching in general, if this hasn't already been made clear to you. 1. Questions to ask at parents' evening - whatever age your child is It's best to be prepared if you’re going to get the best out of your 10 minutes with your child's teacher walesonline I have spent nearly 5 years in education. All teachers know the value of teamwork, so make sure you use parents as one of your valuable team players when planning learning activities. Safe and Supportive Schools 20 uestions Every Parent Should Ask Parents are essential partners in their child’s education. 20 Questions Parents Should Ask Teachers About Their Child’s Education. This was an important question when I wanted to know how to motivate my students. I have worked in three different school settings and seen a wide variety of students. Ask yourself the same question and write down your answer, along with any questions … Studies have shown that students with more involved parents are more likely to: Demonstrate better behavior and social skills. You can motivate a student to learn by tying in their interest and passion into what they are learning. Ask about personal strengths that will extend beyond school. And perhaps more importantly, this question gives the student the confidence to be able to say, “my teacher and my parent are on the same page and they both want to see me succeed.”. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 3 Questions Every Teacher Should Ask Parents About Their Child, In the Words of Dr. King, ‘We’re in the Same Boat Now’, In 2021, My School Is Going to Need All Hands on Deck, Even When the World Is On Fire, My Happiness Is Up to Me, This Is America’s Down South White Tent Revival and I Am Here for It, DeRay Mckesson Calls Out Teachers Who Doubt Our Kids Are Capable of Excellence, The Failed Coup by White Supremacists Was Also an Attack on Black Souls. Academic Performance Now move onto more school-specific questions. But far too often, we fail to ask them even a single question about their child before we teach them, everyday, for an entire school year. It's optimal to start the conversation at the beginning of the school year, but really, anytime is a great time to connect with parents. The ultimate support system is not an expert teacher but an informed and supportive family. Many parents will want to work on some particularly difficult subjects at home, so an open dialogue with a teacher can be really valuable. 2. I believe there is a correlation to students that enjoy reading and those that eventually become successful. How do you best prefer to communicate with me? Questions for Your Cooperating Teacher Lessons and Professionalism. ® are registered service marks of the National Congress of Parents and Teachers. Being a parent is arguably one of the most challenging and most eye-opening experiences a person can have in their lifetime. How would you like to be involved with your child’s education? Yet sometimes it is tricky to know exactly how this communication can look. Before that I worked for a non-profit working with students encouraging them to pursue a career in the medical field. What is the most important thing I should know about your child? I promise that knowing more about your students from the start will make all the difference later, not only in the relationships you are able to build with students, but also in the relationships and trust you are able to establish with parents. This is the first time she will be using her wheelchair full-time while at school. Are the number of cases in the area low enough for schools to reopen? Their parents. Could you outline the schedule of a typical day or classroom period? 15 Questions Every Parent of Kids With Disabilities Should Ask Before School Begins This new school year, my daughter, who has cerebral palsy, will be moving up to middle school. New students come into classrooms through the year, and parents always want to know what's happening in your classroom. You can, nurture passions and inspire your students. It should not be viewed as an endpoint in itself. How often you do you s… As a teacher I pushed reading for two reasons: one, I was an English teacher and reading was the majority of my classroom instruction. 2. We’ve heard from you and your fellow teachers that connecting with students and family members to get feedback on the ups and downs of … What is your child passionate about? (Also see questions to ask your spouse, New Year’s Questions, and Thanksgiving Conversation Starters).. Are my lessons is going well? The number one best way to reopen schools safely is to do so when community spread of the virus is low. While there are so many things I wanted to ask my parents, I wanted to keep it short and to the point. To get at this “parent wisdom,” we can ask thoughtful and intentional questions about their child. Why It Matters. They provide educators and school leaders with important information, perspective and insight on their children. Let us know in the comments if you have some other good questions teachers should ask parents! Here are the 3 questions that every teacher should consider asking parents about the students in their class. We prepared the following set of questions as a guide for parents, teachers and school staff who may not be sure what to ask or look for at their school. If the answer is no, then I know I must figure a way to help this student see the joys in reading and overcome their dislike or lack of reading. And my best chance of supporting and helping my students the way they need and deserve depends on me having extra information about each child to guide my decisions. June 29, 2020. At the parent-teacher interview, you should expect to see examples of your child's work. Often parents can see things in children that the children can’t see in themselves. Thank you for asking us what to ask parents. And it’s difficult to get new parents involved if they don’t feel welcome in the classroom. Ask the parents about these passions and struggles so that you can equip your students with the tools for a truly meaningful education. For parents, the problem may be an uncertainty of what to say, or of how best to approach the meeting. A child may, for example, have a talent for a particular subject but isn’t pushing themselves enough or they might be struggling … We as teachers often worry about parents being involved in their child’s education. What would you do if my child were struggling academically with something? Many parents want to be involved in their children’s educations beyond the yearly parent-teacher conferences. 0 0. This blog contains the essential survey questions that you need to ask parents regarding distance learning. Everyone always said I had a baby face until I was nearly 42 years old and then they said I finally looked like an adult. 6 Questions Teachers Should Ask Parents To Improve Classroom Engagement, Part of getting students engaged and involved is getting parents invested. Since graduating from college, I have been committed to seeing the success of children. Teaching isn’t about getting students to memorize facts and pass tests; it’s about creating a spark and helping each student find their passion and pursue it. Is My Child’s Performance on Track? By keeping in touch with parents, you can help the students by relaying any problem areas or just sending general progress information from time to time. Marjorie Kamys Cotera/Bob Daemmrich Photography / Alamy Stock Photo. This is probably the most important question any parent or teacher can ask of the other. As teachers, we are often encouraged to communicate openly with families. It can be hard to strike up deep conversations with close relatives. Giving them time to think about the child at home when they have a minute would really improve feedback. How and when would you like me to be in touch with you this year? Eight Questions Parents Should Ask Teachers About Assessments. With the exception of in-depth content like Edutopia's guides, much of the "parent stuff" you'll find through Googling is decent enough, but it can be surface level or otherwise completely unrelated to process of learning. 3. My goal when I became a teacher was to ensure my students would not only graduate but also to equip parents with the resources they needed to continue the education from school at home. It’s better to ask your child if he/she faces … Top 5 Trends Among Ving's Community Of Users — Big Positive Impacts From Changes Within Reach. Ask if your child is performing at the expected level, but don't try to compare your child to other students. What are the top two things that you care about communicating? With modern technology, it’s easier than ever to communicate with parents no matter what their schedules look like. Sometimes we even bemoan how disengaged they seem. He blogs at Indy Ed. David McGuire is an elementary teacher in Indianapolis, IN. 5 years ago. And while it isn’t the most original query, knowing the answer can really make things a lot easier for a teacher. Start each school year with these questions and you might be surprised by the results! (Email? Most parents don't know the right questions to ask at parent-teacher interviews or how to interpret the answers, says a former education minister who is on a mission to change things. Work with parents to create an inviting environment for everyone and maximize engagement. If the conference is truly collaborative, then there is always a way that teachers and parents can help support the student. 25 Questions You Should Ask Your Child’s Teacher at Parent’s Teacher Conference Interacting with your child’s teacher a couple of times in a semester is always suggested. Want some more tips on getting parents involved? 5. Text? There might be supplies you can purchase, prep work you can do at home or skill practice you can work into your child’s routine at home. If you really want to make a great impression on the parents, then you must be ready to answer any question they might have for you. If so what is his/her favorite book? Ask the parents about these passions and struggles so that you can equip your students with the tools for a truly meaningful education. Work with parents to create an inviting environment for everyone and maximize engagement. Although you will want to ask some questions before you begin student teaching, here are some student teaching questions you can ask your cooperating teacher once you get started. If the parent answers yes to the question, then I have to continue fostering that love for reading in pushing them to tackle complex reading materials. This question tells the teacher that I know I can count on the parent to support me in educating the student. Many of my students had parents who were absent or disengaged by the school or, like me, had active parents that did not know anything about college. Remote learning is new to students, teachers, and parents, but with everyone co-operating well, it will ensure the same amount of engagement and learning for students. Everyone has a story, so there is no doubt that your parents have an interesting story no matter how ‘uncool’ you may think your folks are. is key in facilitating learning. Teaching isn’t about getting students to memorize facts and pass tests; it’s about creating a spark and helping each student find their passion and pursue it. Ask them how they would like to be involved, and give them some options if you already have a plan for activities where volunteers are needed. Sometimes it takes a great deal of thought to consider how someone else might help you. What does your child aspire to be? 9 Big Questions Education Leaders Should Ask to Address Covid-19. Knowing the passions and struggles of each of your students is a lot of work, but it’s probably the most important information that teachers can get from parents. We’ve reached out to parents via their preferred method of communication, we’ve talked to them about their involvement, and now we just need to know how we can make our environment better for them and—more importantly—the students. to get excited about learning and exploring! by Teacher2Teacher Team | 07.5.20. Questions to Ask Students & Families About Their Distance Learning Experience. What about my lessons could I improve? What’s working? Thank you for sharing those questions. Parent-teacher meetings can be a nervous and daunting time for parents, yet it provides a great opportunity to understand your child strength and weaknesses. Getting this information up front means that every parent has the opportunity to provide the most effective contact information and to request a certain amount of communication. Having comfortable, engaged students is key in facilitating learning. Having comfortable. Before you go, ask your child, “What do you think your teacher will bring up?” Take notes. How do you support … I have this underlying goal to teach my students the joys of reading and the importance of reading regardless of their reading interest before meeting them. And it’s difficult to get new parents involved if they don’t feel welcome in the classroom. Source(s): https://shorte.im/a8tXf. By Andrew Knips. Teachers and support staff should ask dozens of questions about safety before schools decide to open their doors to more pupils next month, according to the latest guidance from education unions. Parent teacher conferences are a brief but valuable window into the world of your child. Talking to parents about their level of involvement is key to planning ahead, both so you can gauge the amount of help and support you can expect and so you can allow parents to help shape their children’s education. Sometimes we even bemoan how disengaged they seem. Questions Teachers Should Ask Parents. Teachers know parents may have questions, and plan to give parents a chance to talk as well. 1. From a simple email to a scheduled video chat, teachers have plenty of options when it comes to keeping in touch with parents. What are your child’s areas of strength? Especially for new students and young students, an inviting classroom can make all the difference in comfortability and engagement. “When parents … While parents everywhere are busy getting into the fall routine, once the bus pulls away from the curb, their role in their child’s education is by no means over. And that trust, along with a love of reading, are total game changers. Let us know in the comments if you have some other good questions teachers should ask parents! My own kids are so long grown I’ve forgotten what I would have asked.Now, I tend to ask in person, probably putting the parent on the spot. If parents are worried about sending their kids back into school buildings yet they are also concerned about how online learning will work, here are some questions we think parents should … Here is a link to the actual form. You'll also be prepared to ask in a conversational style when the opportunity arises. The parents who hear this question know right right out of the gate that I want to support them in making sure their students is successful. If you come to parent-teacher conferences with an idea of what exactly you want to know you will be ready to ask about anything your child’s teacher doesn’t cover. This will aid in identifying and analysing your child’s strengths and weaknesses, talk about issues at hand, and review your child’s overall growth. Parent-teacher interviews can be a daunting experience. I always looked a whole lot younger than my age. 3. How often are you available to meet about your child? These questions are not specific to any particular grade, age, or ethnicity and they are equally effective regardless of school model. by Terry Heick. Here are just the questions on the form: Tell Me A Little Bit About Your Child. The main thing to remember is that the time is short, so you have to prepare your questions beforehand. And two,  most students struggle with reading or do not like to read. Even as a new teacher I was never afraid to ask my students’ parents questions because I know and value the importance of hearing about my students from the people who know them best. Check out this free ebook from Ving! As a reminder, ILS is not a health care provider and none of our materials or services provide a diagnosis or treatment of a specific condition or learning challenge you may see in your child or student. From a simple email to a scheduled video chat, teachers have plenty of options when it comes to keeping in touch with parents. The easiest way to connect with your students is to know what is it that they want to be. “When schools, families, and community groups work together to support learning, children tend to do better in school, stay in school longer, and like school more” (source). Some common examples: "Ask them what they … One of the most significant challenges facing formal education in the United States is the chasm separating schools and communities. Also, if you have a connection to any teachers who work in the school, the district, or any parents whose children attend the school, ask them for their insight into the job. What is your child passionate about? They say it shapes you and molds you and ultimately changes the person you are for the rest of your life. Listing Your Questions. Why Small Construction Companies Need To Invest In Their Workers, You’re A Smart Manager: Handle Your Toxic Employees, How To Get Employees To Embrace A Safety Culture, 5 Ways to Measure if Your Communications Plan is Effective, 8 Fun Employee Assessment Tools For Your Office. “When schools, families, and community groups work together to support learning, children tend to do better in school, stay in school longer, and like school more” (. Here are 8 of the most common questions teachers receive from parents as well as some advice on how to answer them. What do you see as my child’s strengths? Does your child like to read? McDonald agrees that this is one of the most important questions a parent can ask. I too went through the same exact thing.