No, no, not your parents, parents... I mean your "parents". As in, the families of your students! If not, why not? Do it! Seriously, people! It's the end of the first week of school -- make contact already!!
Almost no one is "in trouble" the first few days of school, and now is the ideal time to call and introduce yourself to the families in your class on nice, neutral terms, and share something interesting or positive you've observed about their child this week. It's a great way to start connecting with families. Also puts a little something in the emotional bank account in case you have to call later when the $#!% hits the fan! (No one likes to have bad news on their first call from their child's teacher!!)
A first phone call is quick and easy: "Hi, I'm Ms. So and So, Johnny's teacher from Such and Such school. I'm just calling to say hello and introduce myself."
Sadly, this will usually be met with a surprised and almost anxious or shocked response. It would seem that making contact with student families is a lost art. But it's an important one, and it allows teachers and families to connect early in the year to begin developing that all-important relationship to support the whole child.
Teaching rotary this year? I, too!
At least call your "home room" or "advisor" families. I just finished the last of my 28 home room phone calls. (Among other things, I learned from my short chats with 12 moms, 11 dads, 2 grandmothers and 3 answering machines that there is one other "twins" family in my class, and it also turns out I have the sister of a former student from another school in my class this year!! And yes, I jotted all that down in point form on the back of my "parent contact page" for each student; it will provide a refresher the next time I make contact with the home.)
Monday I plan to call the other Grade 7 Class I have for Math and Science this year.
If I am feeling particularly ambitious, I may try to squeeze in my Grade 8 FI Math class later in the week. Maybe.
Almost no one is "in trouble" the first few days of school, and now is the ideal time to call and introduce yourself to the families in your class on nice, neutral terms, and share something interesting or positive you've observed about their child this week. It's a great way to start connecting with families. Also puts a little something in the emotional bank account in case you have to call later when the $#!% hits the fan! (No one likes to have bad news on their first call from their child's teacher!!)
A first phone call is quick and easy: "Hi, I'm Ms. So and So, Johnny's teacher from Such and Such school. I'm just calling to say hello and introduce myself."
Sadly, this will usually be met with a surprised and almost anxious or shocked response. It would seem that making contact with student families is a lost art. But it's an important one, and it allows teachers and families to connect early in the year to begin developing that all-important relationship to support the whole child.
Teaching rotary this year? I, too!
At least call your "home room" or "advisor" families. I just finished the last of my 28 home room phone calls. (Among other things, I learned from my short chats with 12 moms, 11 dads, 2 grandmothers and 3 answering machines that there is one other "twins" family in my class, and it also turns out I have the sister of a former student from another school in my class this year!! And yes, I jotted all that down in point form on the back of my "parent contact page" for each student; it will provide a refresher the next time I make contact with the home.)
Monday I plan to call the other Grade 7 Class I have for Math and Science this year.
If I am feeling particularly ambitious, I may try to squeeze in my Grade 8 FI Math class later in the week. Maybe.
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