Open House

[Unregistered]

Open house is next week for about two hours. What do I do? I have no clue as this is my first year teaching. Nobody really shares ideas at my school so I need to figure it out myself. Any ideas would be great! Writing ideas to share with parents or things to hang on the walls?

[Unregistered]

Open House is a great way to build communication between you and the parents. Since this is your first Open House I suggest having a nice welcome sign with your name that states Mrs/Mr/Ms______________ Welcomes Parents and Students to Open House. Most parents love snacks of some sort, so if your school is not offering snacks have something handy to snack on, something as simple as crackers with cheese and punch works perfect. Get students and parents to know about you and your school as whole. Since this is your first Open House I suggest doing a scavenger hunt as a basis to get parents to know about your school and your classroom as a whole (ex show your parents where you check out books in our school) always remember Open House builds communication so any important information that you would like to communicate to parents(syllabus, expectations, rules)

[KatieBee]

Maybe also leave some time for them to talk to each other and give you an opportunity to move around and talk to them more informally. You could even put together a "lesson plan" on the board for your talking points??

[Unregistered]

Open house is next week for about two hours. What do I do? I have no clue as this is my first year teaching. Nobody really shares ideas at my school so I need to figure it out myself. Any ideas would be great! Writing ideas to share with parents or things to hang on the walls?


Some ideas are posting student work from each child on your walls and in the hallway outside the classroom. Have parents sign in so you know who they are and who came. Have a syllabus ready of topics, themes and lessons you are covering. ALso, have a mini presentation ready. I have folders of student work on their desks so parents can see what you have been doing during the past month. I give them my e-mail also for questions. :-) Hope this helps!

[Unregistered]

When I student taught my cooperating teacher had an all about your child sheet for the parents to fill out. Things their child likes/dislikes, what they are good at and what they need help with etc. As well as emergency numbers and allergies. She also had a sheet of stationary that she made on the computer on each desk. Each parent was asked to write a letter to their child. This took up some time and it was very informative for us throughout the year.

[Unregistered]

I make up a packet that I put on each student's desk(I teach third grade) that includes a very brief overview of each major subject area. I also include my discipline policy, grading system, specials (art, music, etc.).
I also put an index card that the parent my ask a specfic question about their child so that the teacher does not get caught into answer individual quesitons./ I ask parent to put name question(s) time can be reached and phone number. I tell them I will try to get back to them as soon as possible, and myprep might not be the time they are free. I also end my speech with a quote on my philosophy of life. I answer general questions. I also have apowerpoint display on a computer in the room of the students and working in groups.

good luck!

[Unregistered]

Because you do not mention your grade levels, I am not sure which idea to post. I take pictures of the students working in class, in the hall ways, etc. the first weeks of school. I then put together a power point with the pictures and my classroom proceedures, teaching philosophy, email and phone numbers.
I teach technology so I have quite a few computers in my classroom. I tell the students they may log on to their drive and show their parents some of their work in their personal folders. The parents are delighted with how self sufficient the students are becoming.
As a parent, I always knew the work on the wall was not neccessarily a representation of my sons' work.