The last thing I want to hear at conference time is a parent saying, “I never know what’s going on in your class.” Ouch, that one stings.
To avoid this, I make it a habit to send reminder emails with monthly updates. It’s an easy way to keep parents informed about the subject areas I’m covering and how their child is doing. I’ve used Google Slides to make these newsletters more interactive!
This regular communication keeps things smooth and ensures that no one is caught off guard at the parent-teacher conferences.
I always like to prepare balanced feedback for conferences. Parents don’t just want to hear about areas where their child needs to improve—they also want to celebrate the good things their child is doing.
Before each meeting, I make sure I’ve got a “Glow and Grow” ready:
I also come prepared with action plans for students who might need more support. Using a pre-conference form is a great way to collect additional information beforehand, helping guide the conversation.
Here’s a quick tip that I’ve seen work great for older students: encourage them to send regular check-ins to their parents!
Middle schoolers with devices can email a quick update to their families once or twice per quarter.
Here’s a simple script you can provide to them:
_”Hi Mom/Dad/Guardian,
We just wrapped up week [X] at school! This week, I worked on [topic/skill] and feel proud of how I did with [specific area]. My current grade in [subject] is _. I’m feeling [happy/not happy] about it and plan to [specific action] to maintain or improve my performance. Right now, I am/am not missing any assignments. If I do have missing work, they are [list of assignments], and I have until [date] to turn them in.
Talk soon,
[Your Name]”
Student-led conferences are fantastic! I love letting them take the reins during the meeting to share their student evaluations, goal-setting, and what they’re proud of.
Having them email regular progress updates to their parents is also a helpful tool. They can use Google Drive to send a quick report on their grades, subject areas, and any unique needs. Parents appreciate the consistent information, and it opens the communication lines between home and school.
If you’ve seen my blog post about my Ticket Store, you know that one of the items students can purchase with their tickets is a positive email home. But, sometimes, students dont’t have to pay for this, I’ll just surprise them and send one. his is a great way to share students’ strengths and student’s progress! So when I have a little extra time, I just choose a template from this Google Doc and send it to their parent’s email address. Easy peasy!
When I go into a parent-teacher conference, I always make sure I have everything I need at my fingertips:
This helps me track their academic progress and show trends across subject areas. If relevant, I also like to have student work so parent’s can see their child’s academic performance. It’s a great way for parents to get a closer look at what we do in class.
When it comes to staying organized, I rely on editable parent teacher conference forms. It’s such an easy way to customize forms for each student and make sure I’m always ready for any questions parents might have about report cards, student progress, or even test scores.
I promise they will save you so much time and effort. I just keep blank conference sheets in a binder and pull the binder off the shelf just before heading to the meeting. And don’t forget, taking notes during the meeting is super helpful for follow-ups and action plans later on!
You can find editable versions of these Editable Parent Teacher Conference forms in my Teachers Pay Teachers store for FREE. I can’t wait to help make your next parent-teacher conference stress-free! Download the free parent-teacher conference forms here!
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Parents really don’t like surprises—especially when it comes to their child’s performance. If there’s something you’re concerned about, it’s best to communicate early. Waiting until conference day to drop any major news can create tension. I try to stay in touch with families throughout the year so nothing comes as a shock.
Parent-teacher conferences don’t have to be overwhelming. With the right prep and tools, we can foster positive relationships with parents and help students reach their maximum potential. And if you’re ever looking for more tips, feel free to connect with me on social media!
Welcome to my Blog!
I started The Sassy Math Teacher in 2020 to help teachers like you increase classroom engagement and teach with confidence!
I also love to share about my life as a teacher including my favorite outfits, home items, gadgets and trips!
