Teacher-Parent Collaboration

Advice for Teachers

Whether you are a first year teacher or have been teaching for 20 years, there wil never be a moment where you aren't learning something new. In this section, puruse resources for working with your students in the classroom, students' parents, and utilizing strategies for teaching different grade levels. You're definitely going to want to put this in your teaching repertoire!

• Top Teacher-Parent Collaboration Ideas

  Encouraging parent participation in educating their children will help you to be a more effective teacher. Our Top 10 ideas on how to get parents more involved in many aspects of the school day are featured in this gallery of printables and articles. New teachers will find this resource particularly valuable.

• Getting to Know Your Student

  Send this letter home to parents to help you know your students better.

• Parent-Teacher Communication Advice from Veteran Teachers

  Communication with parents is an essential part of teaching. Here is a list of helpful suggestions from experienced educators.

• Parent/Teacher Relations

  Handy suggestions for creating and maintaining positive parent/teacher relationships.

• Getting Parents Involved

  Encourage parents to volunteer in the classroom year round as an important positive step in improving their child's education. New teachers, who are trying to build solid relationships with parents, will find this resource particularly valuable.

• Reading Carnival

  Host a reading carnival at your school -- it will give your students a chance to demonstrate the reading skills they've acquired and their parents a chance to be a more integral part of their education.

Advice for Parents

Sometimes as teachers we don't realize teaching our students' parents on how to work with our students at home is just as important as teaching in general. Work on the home-school connection and collaborating with parents with the resources in this section.

• A Parent-Teacher's Guide to ADHD (K-12)

  What is Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder? Get the facts about attention deficit disorders, current treatments, and what the experts have to say about medications in this printable book.

• Back to School from A to Z: A Parent's Handbook (K-5)

  Help your students' parents prepare for this back-to-school season, with this printable book of advice, activities, and more. These handouts will be a perfect supplement to your Open House.

• Power in Math and Science: Advice for Parents

  Help parents find ways to reinforce math and science skills.

• Step 7: Inform Students and Parents About the Adaptation

  Step 7 in the framework for adapting language arts, social studies, and science materials in the inclusive classroom.

• How Can Families Help Students Improve Their Writing Skills?

  Families are a powerful influence in children's academic development. When family members are involved in student writing projects, students' self-esteem, interest, and language skills improve.

• Organization: Advice for Parents

  Offer these tips to parents to help them teach their children to become more organized.

• Report Cards: Advice for Parents

  Distribute this handout to parents to help them respond to their child's report card constructively no matter what the situation.

• Help Parents Deal with Homework

  The strategies outlined in this article will help parents work successfully with their children to finish homework. Discuss these methods with parents at teacher-parent conferences or on the phone.

• Multiple Intelligences Questionnaire

  Hand out this questionnaire to parents to help them learn about Multiple Intelligences theory.

• More Advice for Parents

Parent-Teacher Collaboration Forms

Use these resources to send home key information to parents. You can use these assets as is or modify them to your individual purpose and classroom.

• Letters to Parents

  Discover a letter that can be sent home to parents explaining the Gorp's curriculum and message. This great school safety resource focuses on the danger of guns.

• Parent Request Form

  Use this survey to gather information about your students' parents, such as their hobbies and skills, and whether they can volunteer to share their interests with their child's class.

Parent-Teacher Conferences

Parent-Teacher Conferences are some of the most important days of the school year. Here, parents and teachers come together to make sure students are progressing and colllaborate to determine ways they can both help them continue to succeed. Use the resources in this section to be fully prepared for the big day!

• Student-Led Conferences Resource Packet

  Put a new spin on conferences by giving your students the opportunity to lead them! This packet includes a letter to parents, a planning sheet, and a self-assessment to use post-conference.

• Conference Documentation Form

  Complete this form during or immediately after a parent-teacher conference. Have all parties involved sign the form. This printable is customizable. Tailor the PDF to your teaching needs by typing in the highlighted fields before printing.

• Parent-Teacher Conferences: Five Important Questions

  Prepare yourself for parent-teacher conferences by having the answers for some very important questions, sure to be discussed at your parent-teacher conference. New teachers, unfamiliar with the dynamics of conferences, should find this resource particularly valuable.

• Parent-Teacher Conferences: Before, During, and After

  Teacher-parent conferences give you an opportunity to increase communication between school and home, keep parents informed about their child's progress, and develop a plan for the student's future. You'll find excellent advice to help you prepare for these meetings. New teachers will find this resource particularly valuable.

Open House Resources

Open houses are an extremely exciting part of the year for schools. Here is your time to shine and showcase all that is great in your classroom and school. Use these general tips or grade leveled resources to make this year's open house the best one ever!

• Hosting a Successful Open House

  Your students' parents are powerful allies and can make your job much more manageable. Learn some tips on how to foster a positive relationship with parents and host a successful open house. New teachers will find this resource particularly valuable.

• Create a Meaningful Open House

  Your students' parents are powerful allies and can make your job much more manageable. Learn some tips on how to foster a positive relationship with parents and host a successful open house.

• More Open House Resources

Additional Resources

Need some resources for a rainy day? This section is a great place to look for things that you may need for your classroom or may need someday.

• Back to School Headquarters

  Return to school this fall prepared to conquer any questions you or your students might have about the school year. Our resources range from teaching students the school's layout to assessment tips.

• New Teacher Resources

  Discover everything a beginning teacher will need for a successful school year, from tips for your first day, to classroom-management advice, to printables and lesson plans that will support your curriculum all year long.