Parent+Communication



I am interested in learning new ways to communicate creatively with parents using technology. Does anyone have any suggestions to offer for the primary level? What is your opinion on using Twitter, Wiki's, and Blogs at the primary level? -Rosanne

I have been struggling with using technology to communicate with my parents. In Ashford, where I teach, Ihave many parents that feel that technology isn't very important and they don't encourage students to use the technology tools such as IXL, Lexia, and typing pals athome. It is discouraging to me as a teacher, because I have a class that just loves working with technology, and they just don't get enough time to use it at home. Any ideas for helping parents to become more involved in promoting technology use at home??? - krysta

Parent communication in my classroom takes many forms because of the different preferences of the families. Some families want hard copies of notices and reminders, some want emails, and others prefer phone calls. At the beginning of the year I ask parents how they want to receive correspondence. I send home a monthly newsletter detailing the events of the month, what we will be learning, field trips or assemblies, etc. I will also send home weekly reminders and letters if it is a busy week or they have a lot to remember. I have had success with this class using Typing Pals at home. One specific student doesn't have a home computer but his mother will take him to the library to complete the assignment. Having parents utilize technology in a way that they are comfortable with is the only thing you can do Krysta. ~ Michelle

This is a fantastic section! I like using both technology and hard copies. Its convenient to send out email reminders to parents about upcoming activities. I am not sure about using Twitter with students at the primary level. Parents might not be comfortable with them using it. But I know there are kid friendly blogs they can use.-Sara

My school's PTO meets once a month. One of the parents asked last week if she could Skype into future meetings because she lives about 45-minutes from school. The PTO president had a fit ("Who does she think she is?!") I told her I thought it might be worth a try. We'll see how it goes next month... - Lisa

Lisa, that is such a funny story! But don't see why Skype can't be worth a try! I think it is important for teachers to reach out as much as they possibly can to families to keep them involved. Michelle, I like how you ask your families how they would like to be reached. That allows them to pick the best means of communication!- Anne Marie

Thank you everyone for your wonderful suggestions. I have learned a lot over the past three years about parent communication. Not all groups of parents are the same. My first year of teaching the group of parents were not very involved in what was happening in the classroom, as they didn't show much interested other than just a few. I would communicate with them by sending home weekly reminders along with phone calls and meetings when necessary. However, my second and third year the parents were wonderful, they were actively involved in the classroom, always wanted to come into the classroom to volunteer, and showed interest in wanting to know what was happening daily in the classroom. I began to have some parents concerned that they did not feel involved enough and wanted to know more, therefore I began sending weekly letters home (hardcopy) and then started up a blog! Since beginning the blog parents have been pleased with the amount of information offered.- Rosanne

You could even have your students send home a weekly communication to their parents. This way, they not only know what you are teaching but how their childs week was. This was my project for Cunard :) I think a blog is great too...do all of your parents view it? I have found that even if I email or blog parents won't all look so I send a hard copy home as well. -Brianna