Send your students home with a weekly class newsletter. Your school already may produce a schoolwide letter to inform parents about fundraisers, vaccination requirements and other general information. But add to that your own newsletter about what your class accomplishes each week, what they are learning and what their goals are. If a child performs exceptionally well, mention her in the newsletter so that her parents will be proud. Make sure to mention every student at some point, to improve self-esteem.
Send students home with quarterly progress reports. These are especially helpful if students do not yet receive grades. Progress reports can give parents a better idea of how their child is progressing than the generic assessments the school may require. For example, if a child is having trouble following directions in class, mention this in the progress report, but also note the child’s strengths. Receiving regular progress reports regarding their child’s performance helps parents feel more involved with students’ education. This also helps prevent conflicts with parents who may be inclined to blame teachers if their child struggles.
If a child’s behavior is exceptionally unpleasant -- for example, if he hits or bullies others -- send a referral to the parents. Many conflicts between school and home arise when a teacher disciplines a child, taking over what parents believe to be their job. Prevent these disagreements and facilitate good communication between school and home by sending a detailed description of the child’s behavior home to the parents. Include an invitation to attend a parent-teacher conference so that together you can devise a behavior modification program.
Host a Parents’ Day in your class so parents can come to school and see their students’ work. Display artwork or science projects your class has completed so that parents can admire their children’s work. You can make the activity a tea party and have the students serve their parents tea, cookies and crackers while the parents peruse the classroom. Parents’ Day will help keep families involved with what their children are learning and will give you a chance to establish a rapport with parents and open an effective channel of communication.