Teacher-Parent Collaboration

A child's education can be greatly enhanced by their parents' involvement in the classroom and at home. Use these printables and articles to prepare for successful parent-teacher interactions during parent-teacher conferences, at an open house, and throughout the school year. Our collaboration forms will help you communicate with parents about their child's progress. You'll find great advice on how parents can support their child's development. Tapping in to the support of parents will enable you to teach more effectively.

Advice for Teachers
Whether you are a first year teacher or have been teaching for 20 years, there wil never be a moment where you aren't learning something new. In this section, puruse resources for working with your students in the classroom, students' parents, and utilizing strategies for teaching different grade levels. You're definitely going to want to put this in your teaching repertoire!
  • Top Teacher-Parent Collaboration Ideas

    Encouraging parent participation in educating their children will help you to be a more effective teacher. Our Top 10 ideas on how to get parents more involved in many aspects of the school day are featured in this gallery of printables and articles. New teachers will find this resource particularly valuable.

  • Getting to Know Your Student

    Send this letter home to parents to help you know your students better.

  • Parent-Teacher Communication Advice from Veteran Teachers

    Communication with parents is an essential part of teaching. Here is a list of helpful suggestions from experienced educators.

  • Parent/Teacher Relations

    Handy suggestions for creating and maintaining positive parent/teacher relationships.

  • Getting Parents Involved

    Encourage parents to volunteer in the classroom year round as an important positive step in improving their child's education. New teachers, who are trying to build solid relationships with parents, will find this resource particularly valuable.

  • Reading Carnival

    Host a reading carnival at your school -- it will give your students a chance to demonstrate the reading skills they've acquired and their parents a chance to be a more integral part of their education.

Advice for Parents
Sometimes as teachers we don't realize teaching our students' parents on how to work with our students at home is just as important as teaching in general. Work on the home-school connection and collaborating with parents with the resources in this section.
Parent-Teacher Collaboration Forms
Use these resources to send home key information to parents. You can use these assets as is or modify them to your individual purpose and classroom.
  • Letters to Parents

    Discover a letter that can be sent home to parents explaining the Gorp's curriculum and message. This great school safety resource focuses on the danger of guns.

  • Parent Request Form

    Use this survey to gather information about your students' parents, such as their hobbies and skills, and whether they can volunteer to share their interests with their child's class.

Parent-Teacher Conferences
Parent-Teacher Conferences are some of the most important days of the school year. Here, parents and teachers come together to make sure students are progressing and colllaborate to determine ways they can both help them continue to succeed. Use the resources in this section to be fully prepared for the big day!
  • Student-Led Conferences Resource Packet

    Put a new spin on conferences by giving your students the opportunity to lead them! This packet includes a letter to parents, a planning sheet, and a self-assessment to use post-conference.

  • Conference Documentation Form

    Complete this form during or immediately after a parent-teacher conference. Have all parties involved sign the form. This printable is customizable. Tailor the PDF to your teaching needs by typing in the highlighted fields before printing.

  • Parent-Teacher Conferences: Five Important Questions

    Prepare yourself for parent-teacher conferences by having the answers for some very important questions, sure to be discussed at your parent-teacher conference. New teachers, unfamiliar with the dynamics of conferences, should find this resource particularly valuable.

  • Parent-Teacher Conferences: Before, During, and After

    Teacher-parent conferences give you an opportunity to increase communication between school and home, keep parents informed about their child's progress, and develop a plan for the student's future. You'll find excellent advice to help you prepare for these meetings. New teachers will find this resource particularly valuable.

Open House Resources
Open houses are an extremely exciting part of the year for schools. Here is your time to shine and showcase all that is great in your classroom and school. Use these general tips or grade leveled resources to make this year's open house the best one ever!
  • Hosting a Successful Open House

    Your students' parents are powerful allies and can make your job much more manageable. Learn some tips on how to foster a positive relationship with parents and host a successful open house. New teachers will find this resource particularly valuable.

  • Create a Meaningful Open House

    Your students' parents are powerful allies and can make your job much more manageable. Learn some tips on how to foster a positive relationship with parents and host a successful open house.

  • More Open House Resources
Additional Resources
Need some resources for a rainy day? This section is a great place to look for things that you may need for your classroom or may need someday.
  • Back to School Headquarters

    Return to school this fall prepared to conquer any questions you or your students might have about the school year. Our resources range from teaching students the school's layout to assessment tips.

  • New Teacher Resources

    Discover everything a beginning teacher will need for a successful school year, from tips for your first day, to classroom-management advice, to printables and lesson plans that will support your curriculum all year long.

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