Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Pre-Conference Preparation

With the second round of parent conferences coming next week, I was just wondering what other teachers do to prepare for conferences? Do you just show parents the students’ grades or do you have student work/assessments that you show? I usually have the students fill out some type of sheet evaluating themselves in my class. I like being prepared with something for conferences because I don’t like making things up on the fly, but it’s hard to be completely prepared with so many students and not knowing who will show up.

So what do you do before conferences to get ready?

3 comments:

  1. HI Laura,
    I really like your idea of having students completing a self assessment. I used to require students came to conferences and had them lead the conferences. I would have them go through their portfolio of their work and explain it to their parents. I usually had great success with this and it provides more ownership for the students to their work.
    As a counselor, I don't really prepare a whole lot for conferences, other than having my credit checks ready to share wtih parents/guardians.

    It is wild to think that we are almost to the next round of conferences--The semester is flying by!

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  2. Hello Laura,

    Here is how I prepare; I print off the most updated grades possible. I have students evaluate themselves on 4 things: if they turn assignments in on time, if they participate in class, if they bring necessary materials and are on time, and then if they use their time wisely. Generally the students are pretty honest about this and it keeps me from talking the whole time. Then I give them hints about what they are struggling with (tests or homework) and give out extra copies of work.

    I don't really prepare anything special in advance largely because so few show up for Spring Conferences. I think having exampels of work can be helpful if students are getting bad grades on turned in work but for Social Studies, my biggest struggle is with them turning in their work, not completion of it.

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  3. I try and have books and examples of what students are working on, so that students can explain to the parents what they are studying--that's fun to watch. It also gives me the opportunity to see what it is they are enthusiastic about--i can tell by how they report it to their parents. I also try to have an example of the work they do--to show more concretely something the student can do to either improve--or something to feel really positive about--I try to have both--ideally! Then the parent comes away with knowing that what the student is doing, so they can check in and ask. Then they are not in the dark with missing work that needs to be completed.
    I also try and have goals for the student to work on--and try to have it led by the student as much as I can, to really put the ball in the student's hands--and have them take responsibility for what they need to work on--and also for their successes!
    So it is not only about behavior--but about the work as well. Then I can show my enthusiasm for the subject as well!
    Just thoughts . . .

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