Tips & Tools for Teachers

Just like in any relationship, communication is key. As soon as you have your roster for the year, begin reaching out to your students' families! Parents and guardians appreciate this initiative to welcome and introduce yourself to the students and their families.

Select a grade level from the menu above for ways to welcome families at the start of a new school year!

Families need to know how you'll share information with them and how they can best contact you. Whether it's through phone calls, emails, a school district wide app, newsletters, or even a classroom website, make sure families have a clear picture of what communication will look like throughout the school year.

Select a grade level from the menu above for communication method ideas!

One way to get to know families is to ask them about themselves. You can send out a survey to parents and families at the beginning of the school year, throughout the year, at the end of the year, or whenever you see best fit.

Surveys are beneficial in that you can customize them for you and your classroom. The information you receive will help you better know your students and their families which allows you to adapt lessons and communications as needed.

Select a grade level from the menu above for survey question suggestions!

Parents and guardians appreciate updates about their child. A lot of times, they only hear about behavior issues or failure to meet expectations. Make sure to also share the positives of your students.

Select a grade level from the menu above for suggestions of positives to share with families!

Classroom newsletters are a great way to keep families up to date on the happenings in the classroom. You can send them out weekly, every other week, or even monthly. There are numerous ways to design and customize them to best fit your classroom. Your students can even get involved in helping put together the newsletter!

Select a grade level from the menu above for newsletter ideas and suggestions!

With the rise of technology in the classroom, websites are a popular option for teachers to keep families in the loop of happenings in the classroom. A website is a great place to provide links and pictures of classroom materials for parents and guardians to check out what their child is learning. You customize the information to best fit you, your students, and students' families.

Select a grade level from the menu above for classroom website ideas!

Inviting parents or guardians into the classroom is much less common nowadays. Teachers are fearful of parents being too attached to their own child, going against the teacher's instruction, being a hinderance more than a help, and the list goes on. However, parents can be a useful resource in the classroom. They can share their cultural background or traditions with students, lead stations, work one-on-one with a child, or help teachers with material prep. Some families would love to help in any way they can, so do your best to lean into those requests while also setting firm boundaries.

Select a grade level from the menu above for ways parents can provide help in your classroom and how to maintain boundaries!

Students' homework load has been significantly decreasing, to the point where many teachers do not even send children home with work to complete. Work or projects are completed during class time, allowing children to focus on responsibilities they have at home and to enjoy being a kid. No homework also reduces stress for children and their parents. There are pros and cons to whichever you choose, homework or no homework.

If you happen to assign homework, you can reduce stress for everyone by providing families with tools that explain and help parents or guardians understand what is being asked of their child.

Select a grade level from the menu above to explore various homework options to help families!

Sometimes, parents or guardians may struggle to connect with their child. As teachers, you can send home conversation cards or activities that will encourage conversations between children and their grown-ups.

Select a grade level from the menu above for more ideas to spark connection conversations!

Family activity packets can be a great way to encourage conversations at home and have parents get involved in their child's learning. Activity packets can be sent home monthly, weekly, or how you see best fit. They can relate to topics your students are learning or topics you want families to take the lead on. The possibilities are endless.

Select a grade level from the menu above for family activity packet ideas!

Some parents or guardians may let you take the lead in teaching or ask you to teach their child additional skills because they do not have the knowledge or confidence to teach their own child. To help families feel equipped, you can host or point families toward beneficial workshops and trainings. 

Select a grade level from the menu above for workshop and training sessions you could offer!

Another way to help families is to point them to resources that may help them in whatever situation they may be facing. Whether families have unmet basic needs, are struggling to find work, need access to health services or specialists, or simply want a place to connect and learn from other parents, there are resources in your school or community to help. Everyone does better when the community works together.

A resource you can share with families in need is your local 211 website, which offers a list of local resources for a variety of needs.

Select a grade level from the menu above for a list of resources you may want to have easy access to so you can share with families!