Parent/Teacher Conference
September 29, 2020- #78
I know some lower grade-levels were thinking about using their document camera for parent-teacher conference. If you have not used the document camera in a zoom, definitely check out the video above.
Parent/Teacher Conference
Here are some ideas that might be helpful.
Keep in Mind
Not all families have access to reliable internet, don't forget to offer telephone conferences as well.
Keep in mind that families may need to have a translator. Get with your translator on campus to accommodate this need and to schedule in advance.
Google Forms is the Way to Go- Prework
Do the upfront work of your conference by sending a survey to your parents/guardians. You can ask the guardians how they think the school year is going, what their child is learning in class, what they see their strengths and weaknesses are, and leave a paragraph type-question for them to ask you questions as well. This way, you have time to put your thoughts, recommendations, and plans together.
Don't forget to allow the form to be accessible to anyone. Grab that link and send it in your ClassDojo, Remind app, or any other form of communication.
If you use a paper newsletter, you could even create a bit.ly link and have that placed in a location on your newsletter that will definitely catch their eye. Or, try out a QR code for parents to access through their iPhone. iPhone now has the capability to access QR codes through their cell phone camera.
Google Form for Conference Times
When creating and setting your conference times, there is one thing to know upfront - you won't be able to eliminate the possible times; but, you can ask your parents to choose only one time. Definitely check your Form regularly to see if anyone had picked the same time; if so, give them a call.
Consider...
You might consider writing in the form description letting parents know upfront that this form does not eliminate times after being picked.
For the type of question, I would consider using multiple choice or dropdown menu.
Not all parents are going to be able to come this day. You might leave an open paragraph question to ask parents for another possible date during your conference or after school that would work for them for Zoom or phone call.
Don't forget to ask for their cell phone number in case you need to call and reschedule to a different time.
Google Sites for Portfolios... Work Smarter, Not Harder
Also, Google just added a new feature for Google Sites.... TEMPLATES! Yeah! Click here to view a blog dedicated to Google Sites Templates with information on what each template includes.
A great way to show student's growth over time is to create a digital portfolio using Google Sites. With Google Sites, students are able to upload their Google Docs, Google Slides, images, videos, and more.
With the Parent/Teacher Conference being the 2nd six weeks, this would be a great opportunity to start a Digital Portfolio for your students.
If you're having your students create their Digital Portfolio, remember there is going to be a learning curve. Therefore, make sure you spend time going over the different features that Sites has to offer. Please see the button in the next section for templates that you might find helpful.
Before you start creating, think organization, think small, and think big picture.
Think Organization
At any grade level it's important to start teaching students how to organize. You need students to be master file organizers. For the younger students, this might mean you borrow another teacher's set of Chromebooks and go through the process of creating a folder in their My Drive titled, "4th Grade Digital Portfolio." Then, within that folder, you've created more folders for specific content, e.g., science, math, etc.
For the secondary students, organization might look like helping them to start thinking "big picture." Have them keep in mind what their end goal will be, how they want it organized, and how they are going to get there.
With any grade level, having an example template that the teacher created will be helpful for them to see the ending product and where it is you want them to go. This will require you to get familiar (if not so already) with Google Sites, which, will help your students when they have questions.
Think Small
Don't stress yourself, or your students, out. If you teach a self-contained class, you might want to create a page for each subject level with one or two samples of each. For their sample, let them choose which piece shows mastery on the concept you taught. The goal is for students to understand what mastery looks like and to differentiate between what is worthy and what is not.
I would keep consistency in mind as you go throughout the year. For example, if you started with a writing piece, I would continue to upload a writing piece every six weeks. Remember, you're wanting to show growth. If you have students create a Screencastify video to explain their thinking process of how they solved a problem, continue to upload one every six weeks.
Think Big Picture
When thinking big picture, think about if you have a writing assignment every six weeks. If so, this would be a great item to have in their portfolio. By the end of the year, you will end up with five total writing assignments that will hopefully show growth. Or, if you still have that 1st six weeks writing example, scan that into your computer and upload it for them.
The big picture here is to show growth over time.
Get Feedback
Once content has been reviewed, it is time for students to publish their Google Site and get feedback from their peers and/or teacher.
If you're using this portfolio for parent/teacher conferences with students present, definitely go through each work sample with your student and have an academic discussion on their piece. Discuss what they like, don't like, what they understand, what key concepts they need to work on, what evidence do they have of growth, etc.
You can definitely use this portfolio in a Zoom as well- share your screen and go through the artifacts with the guardian.
Check out Student-Lead Conferences from Edutopia (think virtual).
Google Slides for Lamar & Houston
I would recommend creating a Google Slide that you can share the screen with during the Zoom meeting that has titles such as: spectacular student, artifacts and examples of work, goals for the next six weeks, Guided Reading, Phonics, and don't forget you can add downloaded Flipgrid videos as well.
Click here to see Mrs. Martin's Virtual Parent Teacher Conference Template. This should force "Make a Copy". Feel free to use, edit, etc. I got several ideas from @MeredithAkers- love her!
Then, at the end of the meeting, write any notes at the bottom of each slide under the "Click to add Speaker Notes" for documentation.
Don't want to get all fancy? Think of using a Google Doc to input your topics you want to discuss and notes for your Zoom/phone call meeting. Add the notes from your meeting at the bottom of the Google Doc for documentation.
Use Flipgrid for Parent Teacher Conference. See image below.
Tips for Flipgrid Videos for Conferences
- Tell the students you will be showing this to their parents at conferences or emailing it out.
- Preview the videos to make sure they are all appropriate.
- Make sure the video settings are set to only the teacher can see. (Remember, you'll pull it up on Zoom)
- Download the video and email to the student's family.
π autoCrat Add-On π
The autoCrat add-on has been approved for use by MWISD staff.
π Check out More Info Below π
Starting October 13, 2020, Google is changing the retention policies for items in the Trash in Google Drive. With this new policy, any file that is put into a Google Drive trash will be automatically deleted after 30 days. Previously, trashed items would be retained indefinitely until the trash was emptied by the user.
Any files already in a user's trash on October 13, 2020 will remain there for 30 days. After the 30-day period, files that have been in the trash for longer than 30 days will begin to be automatically deleted.
Email Writing for MWISD Students
Don't forget, students will be provided with an email account as part of the Google G Suite for Education access based on their grade level as follows:
- PreK- 1st grade: No e-mail accounts.
- 2nd- 8th grade: Limited district e-mail account restricted to be able to send and receive email only with internal MWISD email addresses.
- 9th- 12th grade: District email account.
You might have also noticed that the ClassLink Academy Webinar App for Teachers has changed. These newer apps have all of the archived trainings that are available and list the upcoming live schedule. You can register for live webinars. If you are a teacher and you attend a live teacher session, you will receive a PD certificate for attending.
Teacher Soundcheck
Professional Development Opportunities with Region 11
- October 6, 2020- 4:00pm- 5:00pm. Engage by Design Digital Tools Series: Google Classroom Educators PLN. (Virtual). All grade levels. Join us for Google Classroom Educators PLN! The hour will provide a time to collaborate with other teachers in the region who are using Google Classroom with learners during this time of distance learning. We will share celebrations, challenges, activities, and questions about Google Classroom.
- October 16, 2020- 8:00am- 4:00pm. Engage by Design Digital Tools Series: Google Jamboard Edition. (Virtual). All grade levels. In this Engage by Design Digital Tools online, self-paced course, participants will: 1) Explore how to use Google Jamboard for instructional activities, formative assessment, or reflection prompts. 2) Explore Google Jamboard examples and templates. 3) Reflect on Google Jamboard uses to impact instruction. 4) Create and share a Google Jamboard for use with students.
- October 23, 2020- 8:00am- 4:00pm. Engage by Design Digital Tools Series: Curate Content and Formatively Asses Using EdPuzzle. (Virtual). Junior High and High School. In this Engage by Design Digital Tools online, self-paced course, participants will: 1) Learn how to use EdPuzzle to create interactive and engaging lessons and/or formative assessments. 2) Explore EdPuzzle lessons ready for use with students. 3) Reflect on the instructional benefits of EdPuzzle. 4) Create an EdPuzzle video lesson with formative assessment questions.
- November 10, 2020- 4:00pm- 5:00pm. Engage by Design Digital Tools Series: Google Classroom Educators PLN. (Virtual). All grade levels. Join us for Google Classroom Educators PLN! The hour will provide a time to collaborate with other teachers in the region who are using Google Classroom with learners during this time of distance learning. We will share celebrations, challenges, activities, and questions about Google Classroom.
Click here to see more Region 11 Professional Development classes.
MWISD Instructional Technology Specialist
As the Instructional Technology Specialist, I will strive to serve the academic and digital needs of our students and provide equitable opportunities to prepare students for our ever-changing global community.
I will strive to assist teachers in appropriately incorporating and implementing technology in their classroom by being available for one-on-one meetings, PLCs, staff meetings, and providing professional development that meets our teacher's technology needs.
Email: jmartin@mwisd.net
Website: https://sites.google.com/mwisd.net/edtech/instructional-technology?authuser=0
Location: 906 Southwest 5th Avenue, Mineral Wells, TX, USA
Phone: 940 325 6404
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MineralWellsISDTechnologyDepartment
Twitter: @janaleemartin