Now that we have set a date for curriculum night, it's time to think about how you want that first impression with the parents to go. I am including the link to the article I discussed at our staff meeting and a link to a video clip about family engagement that talks about curriculum night or open house or whatever you want to call that night that all teachers have to prepare for at the beginning of the year. I love how Karen Mapp so honestly states that no parent is actually eager to miss out on their normal evening routine in order to come and sit in little chairs and listen to their child's teacher talk at them.
Let me tell you a little secret...you don't have to do curriculum night how you have always done it. It's true. You can try something different. If you are thinking of changing up the presentation that you have always done, the first step is put yourself in their shoes. Actually, even if you are not planning on changing what you do, put yourself in the parents' shoes. Would you enjoy sitting through your presentation? Would you walk away and feel excited that you were trusting this teacher with your child? Let those questions and that reflection activity guide you as you plan for curriculum night. You only get one chance to make that first impression and then you have the rest of the school year to work with all of those parents. No pressure. ;)
So what are some different ways to do curriculum night? Here are a few that I have either done or seen in action:
- Take the parents through a typical day. You could take photos or short video clips of the students doing different activities and/or have them talk about or write about that part of the day. Let's be honest, the parents really want to know what their child is doing all day because most of them get the same answer to the question "what did you do today?" Nothing. We know that is not true, but parents don't know what we do all day. So what if you showed them? And better yet, what if their own kids showed them?
- Instead of having the parents sit at the desks, move the chairs in a big circle and have the parents feel part of a community discussion. You could have some talking points or you could do something where the parents work on getting to know each other, just like you have been doing activities to have your students get to know each other. Help the parents feel like a welcome member of your classroom with a relaxed conversation instead of a stressful lecture where you are trying to make sure you remember to tell them every little detail.
- Make this time more of an open house feel. Set up stations throughout your room where parents have tasks to complete or different learning activities to do. I used to love to have one station where my parents could answer a question on chart paper. I had the kids answer the same question so parents could see what their child said, and then students loved to read what parents had to say. This format also takes the pressure off of you have to stand and deliver and have all eyes on you.
- I know our current format is one where only parents come to see the classroom. But something to think about in the future is having students come with parents. Students become guides for their parents and proudly show off their classroom. I used to have students create maps of our room and then use those maps with their parents. They would star five or six areas that they wanted their parents to see. Was it crowded chaos? Yes! But parents and kids were engaged in conversations about their classroom and the learning that they had been doing, and my job was mainly to smile and enjoy watching families spending time together.
So those are just a few ideas. There are many more that you can find when you start to search online or scroll through Twitter feeds. I know some schools that do school-wide scavenger hunts using QR codes and some that send out video messages through YouTube or FlipGrid before curriculum night to try to answer questions parents have. The possibilities are endless. As you saw during our teacher day and our opening day assembly, my philosophy is create a moment. Create a moment that people won't forget. I fully support trying out something different. Why not surprise our parents? They are expecting what they have always had at curriculum night. Maybe some of you will try something new. Just remember to stop and think...put yourself in the parents' shoes.
Post about new ideas:
https://www.edutopia.org/blog/aint-your-mommas-open-house-stephanie-hatten
Article about rethinking Open House/Curriculum Night:
https://www.gse.harvard.edu/news/ed/16/08/scenes-open-house
Video clip about family engagement, including rethinking curriculum night:
What will your curriculum night experience be this year?
Currently reading:
I finished reading The Truth as Told By Mason Buttle, just could not put it down this weekend. I recommend this book for 4th or 5th graders. The author incorporates important topics such as learning disabilities, bullying, friendship, and family into this story. If anyone wants to borrow my copy, let me know! I also read Super Narwhal and Jelly Jolt. This is the 3rd book in the early graphic novel series by Ben Clanton. Graphic novels are a great way to hook some of your more reluctant readers. This series would probably be one that 2nd graders would enjoy.
A great picture book that I reread last week was called Drawn Together by Dan Santat. This book has so much in it and lends itself to some amazing conversations. Through images and a little bit of dialogue and storyline, we see how a grandfather and a little boy realize that they share a common love of drawing, and as a result, they are "drawn together." I found a short video clip where the illustrator explains a little bit about his process of creating the wonderful illustrations in this book.
I have also been reading a little more of the book Sparks in the Dark: Lessons, Ideas, and Strategies to Illuminate the Reading and Writing Lives in All of Us. This book was written by an amazing principal, Todd Nesloney, and an amazing ELA teacher, Travis Crowder. One of the many inspirational quotes from the book...
**Reminder to staff to complete your mandated training online if you have not done it yet.
Monday - Rosh Hashanah - reminder that no testing is to be done today and no homework, Facebook Live Bedtime Story with Mrs. Garden at 7:00pm
Tuesday - Rosh Hashanah - reminder that no testing is to be done today and no homework
Wednesday - Don't forget...it's Wellness Wednesday! How can you add in some extra movement today? And if you want...workout wear!
Friday - PTA Ice Cream Social, 5:30-6:30, even though Saturday is Dot Day...today would be a great day to celebrate it!
Great things I noticed last week:
- Before I read to this class of 1st graders, I was able to listen to Mrs. Leroy read her class a funny story about losing your tooth.
- I have been enjoying getting to know different students when they come to my office to pick out birthday books!
- Yes it was another hot day on Thursday, but kindergartners still had so much fun being bridges and rivers in gym class with Mr. Wilde.
- 2nd graders enjoyed weeding, observing and exploring the garden on Friday...look at this butterfly discovery...
Check it out:
Have you heard of Dot Day?! International Dot Day started back in 2009; a day to celebrate creativity, bravery and self expression. Have you read the book The Dot by Peter Reynolds to your class? It's a wonderful story that all of our students should hear. Click here for ideas about how you could celebrate Dot Day: https://www.theedublogger.com/international-dot-day/
On Saturday, I went to see Gerry Brooks speak. He was hilarious and inspirational all at the same time. I will certainly blog about some of the things he discussed and share with all of you. For now, here is one of my favorite videos of his...
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