Open House!

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Archive : 2002 : July : 17

Open House!
By Maggie

At our open house, it is difficult to get all the parents in the classroom at one time to give a presentation. So I have little displays around the classroom. For example one will say "Sample Assignment Notebook", and I
will have one laying there so the parents can see how it is supposed to be filled out.
To encourage the parents to attend, I will ask the parents to sign in and put their name into the drawing. The next day I will draw out two names of students to receive a homework pass or even just a pencil. They love that.
The other 3rd grade teacher and I at my school put together a 3rd grade

handbook. This explains our procedures. It tells how we give the students conduct grades etc. Then when report cards come out there really isn't a question.
One more idea is to assign the parents homework. The students LOVE this. I usually ask the parents to write in their childs journal why they gave their child their name. The students love it when their parents write about them!
My last word of advice is to stay calm. Just be friendly and don't try to plan to much for this one evening. You'll find that it will be over before you know it. I many times have a very hard time just saying hi and introducing myself to each of the different families, but this is very important. This is your one chance to put a face with a name. I try to tell each family one nice thing I've already observed about their child. The parents seem to appreciate that. Good Luck and enjoy!