9 Things to Ask at Your Parent-Teacher Conference
Most parents are aware of the importance of good communication between themselves and their child’s teacher, and the parent-teacher conference is a prime example of when both parties are geared up for communication. But, especially as a parent, it's important to go into a conference prepared.
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by Diane Milne
Once your little one starts school, she'll spend nearly as many waking hours with her teachers and peers as she will at home. Parent-teacher conferences are an opportunity to team up with teachers to help make your child's school year successful and memorable. Here are a few things to think about before your conversation with your child's teacher.
"What should my child learn this year?"
"What are my child's strengths and weaknesses?"
National Board-certified teacher Angie Parmentier suggests that parents push for detailed answers, like, "He has trouble with number sense and I notice that he still has to use fingers for simple addition," instead of just, "Math is a weakness." This specific information will let you know exactly what skills to work on at home.
"How is my child's class behavior?"
"What type of learner is my child?"
"How much time should she spend on homework?"
"How do you evaluate your students?"
"Is my child working up to her ability?"
"How is my child doing socially?"
“How can I help?”
Regardless of what was discussed during the conference, try to end on a positive note. You may not always agree with your kid's teacher, but working together to solve issues should unite you both with a common interest. Remember, you both have the same goal: to make this a successful school year for your child!
Want to learn more? See what teachers want parents to do to help support their children's education.
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