Since we don't have a Back to School Night a few weeks into the school year (which makes me sad... I really wish we did!), I include a packet of information of what grown ups can expect during their student's second grade year. At first, it was a lovely boring 5-6 page Word document. Yes, I can only imagine that the parents were DYING to read it... MAYBE they read a paragraph or two.... if I was lucky! I knew it needed to change. So I came up with this: The Survival Guide to Second Grade.
It's a flip book. I used the colors blue and white since those are my school's colors (Go Wildcats!). I hope this new format is more user-friendly and easier to read.
Each page is its own saved document. The bottom margin is 1/2 inch and size of the top margin increases 1/2 inch for each page. There really isn't a specific order that I give the information. If I didn't have much to say about a topic, I put it on one of the smaller, first pages; if I had a lot to say about the topic, then I put it on one of the larger, last pages. There is info about all subject areas, plus how work is graded, classroom rules/behavior expectations, birthdays, snacks, etc.
How do you share the ins and outs of your classroom with your parents?
How do you share the ins and outs of your classroom with your parents?
Last year, a colleague and I brought the idea of a Curriculum Night to our fellow 2nd grade team members. We all agreed to do Curriculum Night (some reluctantly... lol) one evening in September. We actually got to team up with the Title I teachers who held their Parent Night on the same evening. The administration was so impressed, they're scheduling Curriculum Night into our conference schedule. Everyone in all grades will now have the chance to present their curriculum plans to parents.
ReplyDeleteWe had a wonderful turn-out and were able to use the technology we've been given (Mimio or SMART Notebook) to show the parents what we'll be doing in our classrooms. It was awesome!