I remember being so excited as a child to go to open house. Meeting the teacher, seeing my name on a desk, finding out which friends are in my class were the highlights for me as a kid. As a parent it's very different. Not all parents know what they are allowed to ask or what their expectations should be for their child's teacher. If you fall into that category, I'm here to help you out. I turned to my mom who taught for about 15 years for some expert advice.
What You Should Expect from Your Teacher
1) Lesson plans available for viewing.
You can request to see a teachers lesson plans for the coming weeks. An experienced teacher should basically have their whole year planned. Newer and first year teachers may be doing their lesson plans month to month. You should see in the lesson plans the subject matter and what state standard is being met.
2) Clearly established discipline and consequences.
Most teachers post rules visibly in their classroom, but these rules can be interpreted differently. Some teachers are much stricter than others when it comes to rules like talking out of turn. Make sure you and your student understand that teacher's rules and consequences.
3) A clear list of school supplies.
They should have a straight forward list of what your student will be needing during class time. Don't forget additional supplies they may need for after school care, lunch, and medical supplies or prescriptions to be kept at the nurses office or in class depending on a child's individual needs. Does the teacher need an inhaler or epipen in her desk?
4) Positive feedback and constructive criticism.
The teacher should be regularly communicating in some way whether it be phone calls or written messages. You should not suddenly find out at report card time a grade was lower than expected or a student is struggling. Also teachers should be positive and constructive with their comments. Teachers should NEVER belittle or degrade students in private or in the presence of other students. If this happens to your child or another child, do not be afraid to take it up with the teacher, principal, or higher up figure in the district.
What You Should Ask at Open House
1) Does the curriculum meet state standards? Exceed?
With growing pressure on teachers to achieve high test scores, sometimes social studies and science get pushed aside with more focus on tested subjects. Asking about state standards and checking to see if adequate time is in her schedule for these forgotten subjects will give you an idea of whether or not that teacher is meeting state standards. Some districts in Arizona are a semester ahead, while other districts suffer with meeting state standards.
2)What are your classroom rules?
This goes back to the above clearly established discipline and consequences. Some teacher's are straight forward three strikes and then the principal while other teachers only send students to the principal for severe behavior. Which teacher do you have?
3) How do you teach to the different learning styles?
Ideally teachers address all learning styles throughout the day. Some teachers use centers to engage all learning styles while others just design there lesson plans around a specific style like visual learners.
4) How do you engage students?
Whether a student has ADD or is just uninterested in the subject, what will they do to keep students actively participating?
What Your Teacher Expects from You the Parent
1) You are also responsible in the early grades for your student's homework getting completed. Ask them when you pick them up if they have all their homework and books. Reading is often part of their homework either involving reading to your child or being read to by your child. Follow through and check to see if their work was handed in on time.
2) Look at the grades on the homework being sent home. Is your child struggling. Contact the teacher and find out what you can do at home.
3)Communication. If your child has a special need in any way, medical or academic, let the teacher know. This includes if your child is gifted and advanced in a certain subject matter. Let the teacher know if there is something at home affecting your child's behavior. Are they losing sleep? Struggling with emotional issues related to divorce or a death in the family. Communicate!
4) Manners and Citizenship. Sadly many schools have had to step up and add character building to their curriculum. In my opinion this is something that should be addressed at home, but apparently is becoming more commonly forgotten. Make sure your children know how to act respectfully to staff and students. Discuss how to react to various social situations such as bullying or taking turns with friends.
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