Communication

= It is ALL about Communication! This includes the student, the care givers, and all professionals that are involved including us! =

This sheet involves the parent and the teacher. This is just a sheet that keeps track of ANY contact that is made with the parent, regarding any matter. This can be tied to discipline or praise. It is just a way to keep everything on file, in case anything is referred to or brought up in the future. In my first placement, my teacher had an ongoing, mass file for each student and this was the first thing you saw when you dove into that specific student's file.

This sheet is one that you would hand out at Open House or in the take home packet on the first day of school. It handles all aspects of the child's safety. I have learned that there are multiple medical concerns that need to be addressed such as allergies, heart conditions, and visual/auditory impairments that we would never know about unless informed.

This form has nothing to do with the student or the parent, but with the co-teacher. In this system and school that I have been blessed to work with, there is a massive amount of collaboration and co-teaching. This is one simple form that identifies what parts of the lesson that the teacher will be responsible for in that particular lesson. I think this part of communication is often left out when we think of a teacher's communication process. We have to be in sync with one another in order to maintain order and productivity in our classroom.

Now, here is one sheet that can be used in conference communication. This can be used and filled out before the conference begins, or you could fill this out with the parent during the conference and make a copy for them to hold onto. This highlights strengths, weaknesses, and what all parties can do to help the student be successful.

This ties directly into discipline and behavior and is a great, straight forward form that shows how many chances the student was given before discipline was implemented. Like we talked about in the behavior management section, there are multiple versions of cards, sticks, lights, and various other objects that are used for creative modes of discipline. As long as you have an open gate for parent communication, the discipline problems can be fixed at home in most cases. Kids are also going to have those days where they are "off" and will pull a random card or stick.



This is one of the student communication logs that I had spoke about. This is a form that you use in a "student-led" conference. It has four simple guide questions that allow the student to talk about their strengths, weaknesses, and how they will attempt to improve and what strategies will be used. You should also allow the student to speak about what they like and what you could change as a teacher to help them succeed.

This is a weekly sheet that can be used to give the parent an overall feel for the week that has just passed. It discusses work and behavior. It goes along with a rating system that is very easy to understand. Most parents really care about the behavior, but they also want to see the AMAZING things that the kids have done that week and how they were in completing the work.

I never knew how many ways a BOOBOO could happen! We have accidents EVERYWHERE at school, and we have to take care of them in the best way possible. This includes letting the parent know what has occurred, whether it is a sickness going around or an accident on the playground. We cannot leave any room for questions regarding safety or health of one of our children.

I love this next form. It is a harmless reminder that can be sent home every night or weekly that tells a parent what to practice more with their child. Many parents ask and beg to know what they can help their child with. This tells the parent exactly what the concept needs extra work!

This form is the last one that I will include. Most would immediately associate this directly with the student, but I must disagree. I think all of us (all involved) could use this when we reflect together. I think this is a great way to remain close and keep that vital connection. We all have things to work on and those must be recognized in order to improve. The kids I have worked with will give you that "constructive criticism" regardless!!!!