With large groups of students moving in and out of the room each period, parents need assurance that desks are clean and the environment is safe and uncluttered. If the room is attractive and inviting, it relays the message that learning will be stimulating and fun. Colorful, thought-provoking bulletin board displays are designed to attract students’ interest and draw attention to the subject matter. On Back-to-School night, each class should be showcased in a different area of the classroom so parents can quickly locate work samples.
Unlike elementary teachers who typically have 25 to 30 students, middle school teachers may have 150 students on their roster and parents want to know they won't get lost in the shuffle. The teacher needs to set a tone on Back-to-School night that shows parents they can openly communicate with him throughout the year. Standing in the doorway and personally thanking each parent who attends is a good start. A clipboard requesting parents’ e-mail addresses and current phone numbers can be used to send a group e-mail thanking parents for attending.
At a middle-school open house, teachers have a limited time -- usually about 10 minutes -- to speak to each group. Preparing a presentation on a computer program such as PowerPoint helps keep the teacher on track and ensures she covers pertinent points. Parents are interested in curriculum highlights and each teacher's policy on homework, late work and grading. Students present at Back-to-School night also benefit from the review of how they retrieve assignments when they're absent, where they can locate progress reports and when extra help is available.
Parents visit a variety of teachers at Back-to-School night in middle school, and the information can be overwhelming. By sixth period, they can't remember which teacher said what, so teachers should prepare handouts to match their presentations. It should include contact information, the teacher's preferred method of contact and the best times to get in touch with her. A simple addition to the handout, such as a cartoon on the front, shows that the teacher has a sense of humor and is approachable.
Open house is the perfect time for parents to take an up-close look at the materials their child will use in class. Textbooks, daily agenda planners and specially requested supplies should be displayed. Although the school provides most of the materials, math teachers might require specific calculators, for example. It is helpful to have extra material lists on hand that include pictures of the items. If the middle school stocks supplies in their student store, a price list should be available.