Nov 10, 2010

Conferences?

This week, as we focus on parent communications in the art room, the structured time of Parent Teacher Conferences can’t be ignored. I usually spend conferences in my room waiting for parents to show up. Usually only a handful do. While I get a lot of other things done during this time, it can’t be the most effective way I can use this time to communicate with parents to promote the art program, discuss student issues and increase the lines of communication from the art room to the home.

Question: What is you role as the art teacher during Parent Teacher Conferences?

-Do you sit in your room as an “open house” and wait for parents to visit?

-Do you have regularly scheduled conferences?

-Do you have parents pick up student art during conferences?

We all have such different roles, share how you communicate with parents during the parent teacher conference time at your school.

julz

So far, my principal has told me I don’t need to stay. I communicate with my parents through individual phone calls, writing notes in students agenda books, and through my students Artsonia web galleries. Art club has also provided me an opportunity to meet parents and talk to them once a week when they pick their students up.
http://artclassworks.blogspot.com/ lori

I am required to stay for two evenings from 6:30-8:45 and one afternoon (the students have a half day) from 2:30-4. Confernce forms are sent our to the parents the specials names are on them in addition to the homeroom teachers. The confernce times are every ten minutes and get this –everyone of my times slots is full. I have to turn parents away. I teach app. 560 children I only know a handful of them (being my first year in the school). I try to forcus on the curric. and general art discussion sice I don’t know the children that well.
Christy

For me, conferences is work-time. I get a LOT done in my classroom that I don’t otherwise have time for. I have tried posting signs around the school to stop in and see me, I have made video slide shows to play in my room or in the hallway, I have created newsletters for parents to pick up (most of them ended up recycled). Rather than give in to the frustration of being so low on the priority list during conference time, I try to use that time to my advantage, and find other times/ways to communicate with parents (Artsonia, e-mail, the occasional phone call, art shows or displays in the community)
- http://theartofeducation.wordpress.com Jessica Balsley
  
  Christy-
  I have to say your situation sounds so much like my own. I have tried so many things, and none seem to work for this conference time. I think it’s good to accept we are different, and act in ways that fit best with our discipline.
  
  Lori- I like your sign up sheet idea, and it’s amazing your slots are full. This interaction will be very valuable for you, I am sure!
  
  Thanks for your feedback!
  -Jessica
http://artprojectgirl.blogspot.com Art Project Girl

My first few years no one came to my room for conferences. I’m required to stay as long as the classroom teachers. The past few years, parents pop in or more like kids drag their parent in to say hi. I TRY not take out student art work during this time because it is a huge production when their are many families that just want to say hi. I was thinking about having a creative center set up this year. . . a still life? Where parents can sit and draw with their child after their conference with teachers.
What do you think about a creative art center for parent and child? Is it too ambitious or not the appropriate time? Or would it be a great way to informally talk with parents?

I am also wondering about non-scheduled parents. I don’t want to be rude but if you really want me to talk about your child telling me in advance would be nice. I have sooo many kids to really focus and give a real conference without notice. I need to pull their artwork from the shelf!

I think parents understand that and that’s why they stop by to just say hi!