October 24, 2022
October 24, 2022
Back-to-school night is an introductory evening for parents to get an insight into the next chapter of their children’s education. If you’d like to know how to prepare for back-to-school night, you’re in the right place!
Essentially, it’s an opportunity to explore the school and its facilities as well as meet the teachers to discuss anything from expectations their child may need. They can also meet the principles and faculties, and begin to get a feel for the school’s culture.
Richard Warren talks teachers through how to prepare correctly. What do you do for back to school night as a teacher? The priority is ensuring parents and students get the most out of the evening with all the details they need. Richard is a member of the Teachers1on1 advisory board and recently won Maryland’s teacher of the year. His experience with back-to-school nights makes him a great consultant for optimizing the event.
So how do you introduce yourself to back to school night? Read on for the comprehensive breakdown of getting it right.
Introducing Yourself To Parents And Students
The first contact, Richard explains, can be something as breezy as an email containing the baseline info like location, school calendar and contact details, as well as some fun facts for parents, and needed school supplies, which you can expend on in print-form on the night.
To build on your interaction, you can deliver a quick presentation, kicking off with your background and anticipation for the year ahead. 1-to-1 conversations are great to elaborate and get to know parents a little better. Parents can ask questions and discuss any special accommodations for their children.
If you’re wondering ‘what should I talk about at back to school night?’, a few go-to talking topics include:
The Mini-Gallery
Don’t worry about talking your jaw loose for every parent who wants the full scoop. Instead, you can set up a mini-walk through a gallery where people can peruse the information and collect materials at their leisure, while you station yourself nearby for a chit-chat when needed. This grab and go method is perfect for managing the information flow whilst maintaining that personal touch.
Back-To-School Night Materials: What Are They And Why Are They Needed?
Handouts are key for packaging the important information for parents to keep in stow. Some staples of what should be prepared before teaching include:
1. Meet The Teacher
Who you are, contact info and what you teach – perhaps a nice, cheesy headshot!
2. Scope And Sequence
This’ll be your curriculum, school calendar, class toolkit. Pro tip: you can use free and accessible online applications like Google Docs, Google Sheets, PowerPoint or Slides to prepare and organize these documents hassle-free!
3. Behavioural Guidance And Disciplinary Procedures
These outline expectations for students, so parents are in the clear.
4. Nurse And Bathroom Passes
These can help automate check in/check out systems for such situations when they arise ahead of time.
5. Artifacts And Past Work
This can be great to ease apprehension and give everyone an idea of what students will be producing themselves.
Compile the above into a presentable brochure as you see fit and have it available to smooth things out on the night.
Send Home A Student/Parent Letter
The student/parent letter is friendly follow up to touch base following the night. They usually echo the sentiment and information of your brochure, and your conversations with the parents.
Warmly introduce yourself and relay your anticipation for the year ahead. You can also mention what you’re currently working on or studying in the world of teaching.
Remind them what the school year has in store for students, and reiterate what students will need to be prepared for class. Round things off with how they can contact you with any thoughts or questions, let them know your expectations and how much you’re looking forward to working with their child.
Tools For Staying In Touch
With communication tools readily available for teachers, it’s never been easier to set up a channel for parents and students to get regular updates. Richards recommends grabbing templates from websites like Teachers Pay Teachers which are packed with helpful resources. Platforms like Remind also provide a hub for communication in the education space. Parents can sign up and start receiving updates through their preferred channel with ease. The plug-and-play interface allows teachers to import a layout and upload for a user-friendly experience all round.
Getting To Know Your Students
You can get to know students and lock their names in your memory with a couple of fun activities that Richard often uses in his class.
The Name Game
Have the student say their first name, along with a word that describes them that shares a first letter – like Clumsy Claire or Nerdy Nick – then go around the class and recall every person’s phrase aloud until it sticks. It’s a chatty and interactive way to learn everybody’s name and a little about their personality from day one.
Another popular daily refresh is to have your seating chart handy when you call out your register. Soon enough who is who will become second nature.
Two Truths And A Lie
You already know this one: everybody picks a couple things that are true about them, and another that’s a lie, and the class deciphers which statement of each person’s trio is false.
Stand Up/Sit Down
Another straightforward concept. The teacher calls out different activities or hobbies, and students rise or stay seated if they like it or not.
How Parents Can Prep For Back-to-School Night
With the evening being so jam-packed with value, parents will want to be sure they’re experience is as utilized to its fullest. Richard recommends a few things that parents should keep in mind ahead of time:
WIth Richard’s back-to-school night ideas for teachers, you should be able to confidently approach the evening and have a ball getting everybody for the year ahead. Take it easy, be prepared, and get the momentum in swinging for an exciting and productive school season.
Featured image by Tim Gouw on Unsplash