This council prepares students to take a meaningful role discussing progress and challenges in their parent conferences.
- To articulate individual learning goals and strategies for reaching them
- To prepare students for communicating these goals to parents and teachers
Chart paper for whiteboard.
Some teachers prefer to include students in the parent conference. Research on doing so effectively suggests the importance of preparation, possibly including the opportunity for students to role-play speaking to their parents.
For middle and upper grade elementary students, brainstorm and chart a list of the academic, social-emotional, and study skills that students might be learning in your class. Work habits might include, "keeping my attention on the speaker," "packing my backpack with homework and materials every night," "reading directions carefully," etc. Ask students to reflect on this list and their personal progress. Students are often very perceptive about their self-assessment. Discuss with students the purpose of parent conferences - to form a learning team, so that each student has the support he needs to succeed. Ask students to consider the responsibility of each team member.
For middle and upper elementary grades:
"Thinkof something from those items we've listed - or any others on your mind - where you have put some effort this year. It might be something where you feel you've been successful, or it might be something you'd like to continue improving. When the talking piece comes to you, name one or more of these areas."
"What would you like to tell your parents and me about your progress in school? How can we support you in doing your best possible job?"
For kindergarten and primary grade students:
- "Around this time of parent conferences, it's a good opportunity for all of us to think about how we're doing - with our work and what our work is, our friendships, and how we're feeling about school. For this round, tell us something you think is going well."
- "For this round, tell us something you feel could be better."
"What is one thing you can do now and in the future to help yourself make progress towards your goals?"
Julia Mason Wasson, Michael Rosner, Jane Raphael
