Presents information on a seminar called "Developing Mathematical Ideas" with the goal of piloting a new curriculum and charting a new path for parents, schools, and children in mathematics. Explores central issues in the development of constructive, thoughtful, and generative relationships between parents and school community through parents'…

A teacher, worried that parent-teacher conferences were not informative enough, invited the students to participate in their own conferences. The students have an added stake in the conferences, and parent attendance has increased because of the children's involvement. (MT)

Tips to break the tension and make parent-teacher conferences productive are offered. A reproducible page with suggestions for parents entitled "How To Get the Most Out of Parent-Teacher Conferences" is included. (MT)

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…

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…

A third-grade classroom teacher describes five methods of communication between parents and teachers: (1) the weekly folder, (2) the informative notice, (3) weekly visits by parents, (4) the daily note, and (5) after school assistance for students, with parents discussing students' progress with the teacher when they pick up their child. (DB)

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)

Guidelines for conducting home visits with parents of Title I students are presented. The guidelines include the following: (1) a list of purposes for home visits; (2) suggestions for what to do and what not to do when visiting; (3) types of information that parents can provide; and (4) ways to deal with difficult situations. Additional materials…

Presents results of a study of parental involvement in curriculum planning and enrichment in four London (England) primary schools. Reports that the program implementing parent teacher cooperation was successful in terms of student achievement, parental enjoyment, and teacher satisfaction. Discusses the importance of home, school, and the outside…

This book offers beginning teachers daily step-by-step plans for the first 4 weeks of school. It is based on a survey of first year teachers that examined their problems, concerns, needs, and feelings. It is also based on a task force of preservice and inservice teachers who set an agenda and tasks to find out more about beginning teacher needs.…

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.…

Intended to provide practical amd proven ideas to help children develop as literate persons, this book presents 24 essays on diverse topics to help teachers and parents realize the potential they have for improving children's literacy development. The ideas presented in the book are based on sound research, theory, and actual practice. After an…

Organized to allow undergraduate and graduate students to work together in helping children learn to read, this practicum manual provides guidelines and materials needed for the undergraduate section of the Methods of Teaching Reading II Reading Practicum at Indiana University Southeast. In addition to the syllabus, which includes a course…

The first year of teaching is difficult. New teachers are overwhelmed by all the "firsts" they must face in that year in order to survive it. This book serves as a reference for beginning teachers to help them get through all the "firsts" in teaching--things college professors spend little or no time explaining. For example,…