Weekly reports enable teachers to keep records of academic and behavioral issues while keeping parents informed. A section should be provided to keep parents up-to-date regarding their child's performance, both work habits and social skills. Also inform them of any missing or late homework or class work. This provides the opportunity for parents, as well as teachers, to give students rewards or consequences based on their school performance. The weekly reports should have a section for parents to comment and sign to ensure communication is a two-way street.
If you are a teacher who would like more involvement from your students' parents, send out a weekly newsletter. Each week, write a brief synopsis of the curriculum, activities and any special events occurring in school the following week. Have a section for volunteers. Give parents plenty of notice if you'd like them to help with a special event. List the event, how many helpers you need and how to contact you to make arrangements. In another section, include any supplies you are running low on or any other things you may need for your classroom. Parents who are unable to physically come in often enjoy helping out with supplies, snacks or treats when they can.
Keep parents informed of academic progress on a weekly basis by creating a folder that goes home each Friday. Staple together the graded papers going home and include an academic report as the cover sheet. Include the number amount of the papers you have included so students don't remove any they may not want their parents to see. On the cover sheet, report study habits, grades, concentration, class participation, group work and anything else academically related.
Decide if you want to do behavior reports for students with specific behavior problems or the entire class. Each week place an index card with five columns marked Monday through Friday at the corner of each student's desk. At the end of each day, mark an X with a green pen for a good day, a yellow pen for minor issues and a red pen for problems. At the end of each week, record the daily marks onto your weekly report with an explanation for any yellow or red Xs. Parents can read, sign and return it on Monday. Children, parents and teachers are all involved in this process.