Make the Most of your Parent-Teacher Conference

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Our Agenda1. Agenda

2. Objectives

3. Introductions

4. Activity 1: Class discussion

5. Activity 2: Review vocabulary

6. Activity 3: Listen to a dialogue

7. Activity 4: What to do before, during and after a parent teacher conference

8. Activity 5: discussion questions

9. Activity 6: Dictation

Workshop Objectives1. To learn 8 new words

2. To learn about the purpose of parent teacher interviews

3. To learn what to do before, during and after a parent teacher conference

• What is your name?

• Where are you from?

Introductions

Join us in a group discussion

Activity 1

• Have you ever participated in a parent teacher conference?

• How did it go?

Group discussion

Let’s review the vocabulary

Activity 2

Activity one: Vocabulary Review

Member of a nation

Something that you can improve upon

A rule as to what clothes may be worn

To be clear and to the point

To take part in a certain activity

To improve your performance

Something that you are good at

A meetingTo ask questions to check your understanding

strength Weakness conference

to be directTo make progress

To participate

To ask for clarification

Dress code

Activity two: fill-in-the- blank

1. My child needs to improve his reading skills. This is his __________.

2. It is great if our children can ______________ in the meeting with their teachers.

3. When is the ____________ with your teacher?

4. What can my child do _____________________ in his math skills?

5. Iliana is a great writer. This is one of her _____________.

6. When asking questions of the teacher, we must ______________ .

7. Does this school have a _______________ ?

8. If you have any questions about what is said in a meeting, be sure to __________________.

conferencebe directstrengths ask for clarification

to make progressweakness participateDress code

Let’s listen to a dialogue

Activity 3

What did Johanna learn about parent –teacher conferences in Manitoba?

Listen to a dialogue: Johanna

Alicia

Johanna

Alicia

Johanna

Alicia

Johanna

Alicia

Johanna

Alicia

How was your night?

Wonderful! I just got back from a parent –teacher interview.

It sounds like it went well.

It sure did. I am so glad I attended that seminar last week.

What seminar was that? Oh, I remember … the one about parent-teacher interviews.

That must have been very helpful.

Well, we began speaking about Maria’s strengths and then discussed her weaknesses.

Next week I’ll be going to a parent-teacher conference. Do you have any advice?

It sure was, because afterwards we were able to speak about her progress.

So, what kinds of things did you discuss?

Listen to a dialogue: Johanna

Alicia

Johanna

Alicia

Johanna

Alicia

Johanna

Alicia

Johanna

Alicia

Sure, for one thing, be direct, and if you have any questions always ask for clarification.

Good points. I do have a few questions for my child’s teacher.

What questions do you have for her?

For one thing, I want to confirm the dress code.

That’s an important point to discuss. Anything else?

Yes, I really want to know how she participates in class.

I can understand that.

Remember to arrive early and have all your questions ready. You really want to maximize your time!

Great points. Thank you!

You’re so welcome. See you later!

Let’s discuss how you can maximize your next parent-teacher interview

Activity 4

A. Basic information:

Three things you should know about parent-teacher Interviews:

1. What is it all about?

A parent teacher conference is a meeting between you and your child’s teacher.

2. When may I have a conference with my child’s teacher?

• They usually happen:1. at the beginning of the school year.2. at report time.3. 1f ever you or your child’s teacher

believe it to be necessary.

3. Why should I attend a parent-teacher conference?

Parent teacher conferences will give you a good opportunity to speak to your child’s teacher.

B. Parent- Teacher Conference Tips

we are now going to consider some parent-teacher conference tips for before, during and after the conference:

Before the conference: talk to your child!

1.How do you feel about school?

2.Are there any questions you’d like to ask the teacher?

3.Let your child know the parent- teacher interview is about helping him/ her?

Before the conference: think about the questions you would ask1.Does my child participate in school?

2.Does my child finish his/ her work on time?

3.What can I do to help my child at home?

4. What are my child’s strengths and weaknesses?

5. Does my child seem happy at school?

2.During the conference1.Be on time!2.End the meeting on time!

3.Relax and be yourself!4. Ask about your child’s progress

5. Ask for clarification if you don’t understand6. Remember to ask how you can help your child at home

3.After the conference: Communicate with your child and your child’s teacher!1. Talk about positive points, but be direct if there are problems2. Let the teacher know that you want to stay in contact throughout the year

3. Talk to your child about the conference

4. Tell your child about the plans you and the teacher have created

4.More Questions1. How much time should my child spend on homework?

2. How does my child get along on the playground?

3. Do you need help in the class? Are there any volunteer opportunities?4. What is the best way to contact you?

5. Are there any books or websites you could recommend?

Case studies

Read the studies and answer the questions.

Activity 5

Case Study 1

Barb’s daughter is very nervous about the parent-teacher tomorrow night.

What can Barb do to make her feel better?

Case Study 2Jamal went to see his son’s teacher, but on the way home he realized he had forgotten to ask 2 very important questions.

What could Jamal have done to avoid this situation?

Case Study 3Shamsun is nervous about tomorrow’s parent-teacher interview because she perceives that her level of English is too low to understand her child’s teacher.

What would you do if you were in this situation?

Case Study 4Simbaljeet’s daughter is very nervous about the parent teacher interview tonight.

What can Simbaljeet tell her daughter to make her feel better?

Case Study 5Sukhwinder would like to get more involved in his son’s academic life, but is not sure where to start.

What options are open to him?

Dictation

• Write what you hear!

Activity 6

Dictation 1

Always try to be on time for your parent teacher conference.

Dictation 2

Before the conference be sure to discuss with your child why you are seeing the teacher. This will put your child at ease.

Dictation 3

If you unsure about your level of English and feel nervous about it, bring a friend to your child’s parent-teacher interview. He or she can help translate for you.

Dictation 4

As a parent you may see your child’s teacher at the beginning of the school year, at report time, or at any other time that’s seems necessary to you.

Dictation 5

A parent- teacher interview is an opportunity for you to meet your child’s teacher and discuss how you can help him or her.

Review: What did you learn today?

• 8 new words

• 12 points that may make going back to school as an adult a little easier

Thanks for attending.

See you next time!

Thank you...

See you next week!