I spent time with my 3rd
grade host teacher last week Thursday, Feb. 24th and Friday, Feb 25th.
My host teacher gained permission for me to observe a parent/teacher conference
about one of her students. The mother gave
permission because I had her daughter, which the conference was about, when she
was in 4K. The teacher was concerned
about her student because she feels she “just can’t do anything” and will
cry. My host teacher explained the
strategies she has used such as working one-on-one with her to help build the
child’s confidence, gave her extra time to finish her test/assignment and
finally for group work she placed child in a group that was working on her
favorite book for reading. Still the
child would give up and at time shed tears.
I observed the conference from the teacher’s
desk which was behind the teacher and mother who were sitting at desks next to
each other. I did not offer any
suggestions nor did I take notes because I did not want the mother to feel
uncomfortable. The teacher opened the conference
with a prayer and then reviewed why they were meeting. The mother explained that her child gets this
way from time to time and was happy the teacher was working with her the way
she had. Together they brainstormed ways
to help the child and the final decision came from the mother to have the child
tough it out and work out of the extra time and make her finish within the time
given. She feels her daughter needs the
pressure to snap out of it. The host teacher agreed to what the parent wanted
but had the mother agree to meet again in a week to see if there was any
difference. The mother promised she
would encourage as much as she could at home and would make sure her daughter
felt confident the night before. The
teacher is going to “front load” the student by giving her the reading she
would need to do the night before and give her “homework” which will be review
for the student.
So here is what I learned from this
conference: Parents always know what is
best even if you disagree. But the
teacher can always give the student a “head start” to new information the night
before and have the child review to build confidence.
I did spend time with my host teacher for
the last hour and half of the day to watch her with her students last Friday. For the class this hour is filled with
anything they would like to finish up and for extra study help. The children all need to be busy though. I observed her help a boy with math he felt “stuck
on” and give another girl flash cards for multiplication tables for a quick check
on. When the boy was done she showed the
flash cards to the girl who missed a few from her 8’s table. The teacher encouraged her to go through them
one more time and come back. She then
gave another student art supplies to finish a project and listened to a boy
read for a few minutes. The girl came
back with her flash cards and still missed 8x7.
The teacher encouraged her and the girl wanted to try again.
I observed this teacher giving her
students encouragement and asking them if she could show them “tricks” for
remembering and offering children a chance to unwind with art to finish or
start. The children seemed happy and will
to finish work and ask questions. I liked
the relaxed feel this time seemed to have. I stayed with her during dismissal where the
teacher chatted with parents briefly giving some quick updates of the day such
as something the child accomplished or said that made her day. Most every
parent heard something positive about their child which made the parent quickly
hug or pat them on the shoulder and smile.
This reinforced the power of sharing positive messages with
parents! Afterwards we talked for a
while about her interactions with parents.
She allows the parents to text her, email her, call her and chat
afterschool with her. She said most
parents take advantage of the school’s email system and the importance of
quickly responding back. I learned that the
faster a teacher can respond the better the parent feels and solutions can take
place.
It must have been valuable to observe a parent/teacher conference. I find I learn a lot when I am observing then when I am part of the action. Your point about families knowing what best for their children is absolutely true. I have learned some issues are touchy with families. About a year ago, in my toddler classroom, one of the children never wore shoes. Her mother explained it will help with her walking if she does not wear shoes. My co teacher and I explained the DCFS requirement and the safety reasons behind children having shoes on when in the center. A week later, the child was wearing slipper type shoes (I do not remember the name). We did not press the issue, because the parent was already frustrated, so we let the child wear the soft shoes. When it comes to issues sensitive to the family, there is a fine line between the teacher and family member.
ReplyDelete-Brooke B.
That is a great experience for you to have. I am glad that they all let you do that. You are right about parents "knowing" the best for their child. It is often more like the parents do not want to deal with the fight so they let the child do what they want to avid confrontation, and let the teacher be the bad guy. I have been on the other end of that more than once. Parents come into the classroom telling their children that they can not have something because I will not allow it. So the child is mad at me, because the parent can not say no.
ReplyDeleteBeth, I would like to thank you for your post on my blog. I was glad to see that you are seeing some of the same things that I am seeing in the lunch room. I was also glad to see that someone else shares my views on Lunchables. I did do some research on your question about gym class and recess. And yes, it is a factor, children need to get up and move not only for their bodies, but for their brains as well. Thank you so much for your comments on my blog, your question did help in my research.
ReplyDeleteSarah