A teacher describes her method for ensuring effective, productive parent-teacher conferences. Suggestions include: scheduling conferences during the first two weeks of school; keeping a flexible schedule; preparing a simple parent questionnaire; explaining expectations and obtaining parents' expectations; making a problem solving agreement; and…

For a successful parent-teacher conference, three main steps need to be addressed: preconference homework, communication during the conference, and followup. Each of these steps is addressed in this article, and a sample form for conference record keeping is included. (IAH)

Presents suggestions to help teachers work with parents during conferences. Before the conference, they should document difficulties, communicate concerns, solicit support, and test out tactics. At the conference, they should welcome parents, take notes, weigh all words, allow for anger, seek parents' suggestions, have responses ready, and partner…

Presents tips to help teachers put parents at ease, involve them in student learning, and establish partnerships. The article describes how to send invitations, determine goals, prepare agendas, plan questions, create appropriate settings, conduct conferences, and follow up afterwards. Cautions and considerations are noted. (SM)

Presents examples of teacher-parent interactions designed to help teachers communicate with parents. The scenarios involve a teacher communicating with parents about a struggling student, a teacher communicating with parents about a student's behavior problems, and a teacher attempting to communicate with a confrontational parent. Teacher prompts…

Getting along with parents can sometimes be tough, but a little tact can go a long way. Good communication skills are important in any profession, but for the successful teacher, they are essential. Drawn from their new book, "Teacher Talk!" (Jossey-Bass, 2005), the authors present some snapshots of typical conflicts with parents, paired with…

Suggestions for helping teachers answer questions parents may ask on discipline, reading, and family situations are offered in this article. Teachers and parents can work together to solve problems dealing with their children and students. (DF)

Three articles present suggestions to help elementary teachers promote student development. The first describes games that encourage a sense of community. The second deals with making parent teacher conferences a positive experience. The third discusses how to give confused children who are involved in custody battles an alternative to acting out.…