Cc is for Communication...Are you a good classroom communicator?

I have always believed that one of the most important ingredients to successful teaching is COMMUNICATION! Teacher to Student Student to Teacher Teacher to Parent Parent to Teacher Teacher to Teacher Teacher to Administrator

COMMUNICATION goes beyond the written note, website, phone call. COMMUNICATION is how we as an educator are getting our message across.

(Sometimes after a test I hear…My students did horrible on the test! Teachers tend to blame it on the students. They didn’t listen. They didn’t study. They just don’t get it. BUT Maybe we need to look at the way we presented the information. It may have been our way of communicating the information to them was not effective)

COMMUNICATION can be non verbal cues or “vibes” the students are getting from us or we are getting from them.

( Remember David? We all know a David who drives us insane! Think back to that glorious story by David Shannon, David Goes to School. At the end how did the teacher COMMUNICATE to David she felt. ) PLEASE keep this in the forefront of your mind as you begin the school year.

Challenge yourself to make communication improvements.

The COMMUNICATION we are going to talk about today is more about “keeping everyone up to speed”. In today’s world of technology this should be an easy task. Let’s take a look at some of these ways.

Classroom Website

I love having a website for my classroom. When I was teaching it was filled with pictures of our activities, a calendar, rules and consequences, procedures, math and reading focus charts for the week, link to the lunch menu, newsletter, how to contact me.

I sent a laminated “fridge note” home with the link for each parent.

I also provided a link to all staff who worked in or with students in my classroom.

I used Google but there are many other “teacher friendly” websites available for use.

I set aside one morning a week to update my site. Keep it simple but something people will WANT to visit.

Classroom Website

I sent a laminated “fridge note” home with the link for each parent. I also provided a link to all staff who worked in or with students in my classroom. Set aside a time each week to update your site. Keep it simple but something people will WANT to visit.

Email

As simple as it may sound Email is still a great way to communicate with parents, students, staff, and administration. Send your weekly newsletters through Email and included all those listed. Yes, I am sorry to say I still send a hard copy but many parents and support staff liked having something to keep in front of them.

NOTE: I always include administration and support staff on all of my communication. It is a great way to promote your classroom and keep everyone on the same page.

This resource is filled with forms for you to use. They are simple, quick, editable and help keep the lines of communication open.

Calendars

These are so helpful in letting everyone know what to expect for the coming month. They can add their own or updated info as it comes home. Include student birthdays, school dates, events. This FREE resource also includes EDITABLE monthly newsletters Calendars go from 2024 to 2026

Parent Teacher Conferences

You can often learn a lot about a child by meeting with their parents. Whether it is a planned whole school conference day or an individual conference called for student support it is so important you come prepared so you are ready to communicate effectively to provide key information about the student. STAY POSITIVE whenever you can. This resource will help.