Back to School Night Ideas

Prep for Back to School

Make it a Stress-Free Night

Have a successful back to school night! As summer is just getting underway, I am already thinking ahead to the next back to school night. Gathering ideas and making preparations in the summer is a great idea, because things can get a tad hectic for teachers once school begins. Back to school night is a time when you get to make an impression. Of course, it’s a time to share about the curriculum, the rules, and the procedures with the parents, but all eyes will be on you as you present the information. Being organized is a key factor in helping make the night a success. In order to help you have a stress-free back to school night, I have put together a bundle of resources.

Find all of the "Back to School" ideas listed below by clicking HERE

What does the pack include?

Back to School PowerPoint Presentation - This is an editable PowerPoint template. It means you can ADD images and text to the slides. You can use different fonts and insert pictures or clip art over the top, but you CAN NOT change the slides I have included. You can add more slides though if you want. The PowerPoint includes 34 slides with predetermined titles. It also has 7 slides that have backgrounds and images, but they do not have titles. You will want to read the slide titles below to make sure they will work for you. For each slide in the presentation, there is a themed picture that goes with the topic of the page. There is also a matching solid colored background. Many of the images included are 'real' items, such as a photo of shoes for the dress code slide, kids eating lunch for the lunch/snack slide, etc. I liked the look of using the real photos rather than just using clip art.

Open House Parent Handbook - This is perfect for you to print and have on desks for parents. They can take it home and refer back to it. It includes the following topics:

• Communication (type in email, phone, etc)
• snacks/lunch
• arrival and dismissal
• Note from the teacher - introduce yourself
• nurse/medicine
• birthday policy
• field trip
• schedule
• supplies
• homework
• weekly folder
• recess
• volunteers
• curriculum
• notes
• questions for the teacher (leave blank for parents)
• blank template (you can insert your own images and section titles

Meet the Teacher Template - All parents want to meet the teacher. They want all the details about your education, your likes, and more. This one-page (printed front and back) booklet-type parent newsletter template is the perfect way to share all about you. It's different from a standard letter you might write. This is suitable for passing out on meet-the-teacher day, open house, curriculum night, or whenever you feel is appropriate. I absolutely love how the cover turned out... so cute with the teacher image and the mug that says, "Eat, Sleep, and Teach".

Meet the Teacher Bulletin Board - Back to school is such an exciting time for the teacher and kids. All students are excited to meet their new teacher and find out their personality, their likes, favorites, and so on. There is so much they want to know but they are too nervous to ask. They want to know you as a person and not just as a teacher.

Hallway Display - This is a fun beginning of the year "All About Me" activity to help you and your students get to know each other. The great part about this activity is it will make a very cute display outside your classroom for back to school night. In addition, it could also be used as a bulletin board display. An added bonus is that when you are finished displaying the All About Me backpacks, they can be glued into your students interactive writing journals and they can look inside the backpack for writing ideas as the year gets started.

Have fun as you get to know the parents of your new students.

Classroom Newsletter Templates and Tips

Paper or Digital Templates

Tips to Help You Make a Decision

Do you ever have parents say things like, "But I didn't know my child was going to have a test on the American Revolution" or "But I wasn't aware there was an upcoming field trip." That's right! I have had parents in the past say things like that, and my response is always, "I'm so sorry, but it was in the class newsletter." With that said, I have taken some steps over the years to help parents be aware of the fact that a newsletter is being sent home. In addition, I try to help them realize how important it is to read the information. When sending a newsletter, it is important to choose a method that works for you and be consistent.

Tips for Choosing a Type of Newsletter

1. Go Digital - In a day of desktops and iPhones, a digital file can be a highly desirable means for receiving a classroom newsletter. Parents are on the go! With a digital file they can open the attached newsletter any place they have access to email. Clearly mark the subject line of the email with 'important classroom newsletter', so it reminds parents to take time to read.
2. Paper can be a Plus - Parents might be able to read the digital file on the go, but they don't always have access to a printer. The newsletter might be read by the parents, but the information might also be forgotten. With a paper copy, parents can stick it on the refrigerator or hang it on a bulletin board. Having it visible gives daily reminders of upcoming tests, curriculum being studied, or events happening in the near future.
3. Digital and Paper - I prefer to send both digital and paper classroom newsletters. You know the saying, 'two is better than one'. Well, using two methods of sending home the newsletter increases the chances parents will read it and stay informed. I have found it is worth my time to attach it in an email, as well as send it home in a weekly folder.
4. Link Up the News - Another way to keep parents informed is to save the newsletter and upload it as a Google document. Add a link to the document on your class website. Parents can then reread the newsletters any time they want. They can also print a second copy if they lost the first one. It's convenient for parents, because they have access to all newsletters throughout the year. With this method, there is no excuse for not knowing what's happening.

For my FUN Doodle Style Newsletter Templates, click HERE.

Planning to go the paper route?

• If paper is what you choose, let parents know from the get-go that a paper newsletter will be coming home. Meet-the-teacher day is a great time to let parents know you will be sending home a weekly or monthly classroom newsletter. You might even want to have an 'introduction to the newsletter' example on hand to share. This allows parents an opportunity to see it and become familiar with it from day one. They will recognize the newsletter when they see it in their child's school folder. They won't mistake it for something random they can dismiss. If you can't share an example newsletter when you first meet the parents, curriculum night is a great time too. You can hold up an example and tell them what to expect.
• Send the newsletter home the same day each week, such as in the students' weekly folders on a Friday or Monday. Consistency is important.
• Try to use the same newsletter template format each time you send it home. It creates uniformity, so parents know what to look for. You can change the images or background on the newsletter, but keep the information in the same locations. They will know right where to look on the sheet for upcoming tests and important events.
• Print the newsletter on bright paper. If the parents are financially able to make donations, ask them to donate a pack of colored copy paper at the beginning of the year. You can change the color each week while keeping the format the same. It will stand out in the weekly folder among all of the school work. You could also choose one particular color. For example, parents would know the pink paper is the newsletter.

CLICK HERE to see colored newsletters that are great to send through email.

When it comes to class newsletters, choose the method that works best for you. Remember to set a precedent from day one, and stick to it. With consistency on the teacher's part, the parents are sure to get in the habit of looking for and reading the information. It makes for a smooth school year.

How to Catch Santa

So, how do you catch Santa? 

     I had a lot of fun reading the book How to Catch Santa to my son's kindergarten class. It's written by Jean Reagan. I thought I would share the lesson in case you want to use it.  

 I started off by having a Christmas bag filled with goodies.  In the bag was a picture of a period and a question mark. I also had a gift box, a small Santa, and some garland.  As a preview to the book, I pulled items out of my bag one at a time.  I first told them we were going to read a book about how to catch Santa, and that's when I pulled Santa out of the bag.  He got to sit by me while I read.  I then pulled the picture of the period out and we reviewed what it was and where it goes in a sentence. I explained that while I was reading, they needed to think about something they would like to tell Santa. I pulled the question mark out and we discussed when and where we use a question mark.  I told them they would be coming up with a question they would like to ask Santa.  A gift box came out next and we talked about how Santa gives us gifts, but what if we gave him a gift, what might we like to give him?  Last, I pulled out my garland and we discussed the name of the book being How to Catch Santa, and would garland work to catch him? By this time, they were eager to hear the story.

The story covers all of those topics above.  It focuses on being prepared if you do catch Santa.  Being prepared means you aren't going to have much time once you catch him, so you need to know one question to ask him, one thing to tell him, a gift you would give him, and of course you need to know what your plan is to catch him.  It's a fun story that sparks the kids' imagination. If you choose to do this activity with your class, here is a follow up activity where students can write down their answers to the topics mentioned above.  You can get the activity by clicking the link below.

How to Catch Santa Activity-Click HERE

Merit Pay for Teachers

 Merit Pay for Teachers: An In-Depth Look

Few topics regarding education reform spark as much debate as merit pay for teachers. Merit pay, or performance pay, is a compensation system where teachers' salaries are based on their job performance, typically measured by student achievement and standardized test scores. But is this system genuinely beneficial for our educators and students, or does it come with significant drawbacks? Let's delve into the pros and cons of merit pay for teachers.

What is Merit Pay?

Merit pay is a system where teachers receive financial bonuses or salary increases based on performance. The idea is to reward those who excel in their teaching duties, thereby incentivizing high-quality education. Performance metrics can include student test scores, classroom observations, and other measures of student progress.

Pros of Merit Pay

1. Encourages Excellence: By tying pay to performance, teachers may feel more motivated to improve their teaching methods and invest in their students' success.
2. Attracts Top Talent: Competitive pay based on performance can attract highly qualified professionals to the teaching field, raising the overall quality of education.
3. Rewards Hard Work: Teachers who go above and beyond, dedicating extra time and effort, receive recognition and financial rewards for their commitment.
4. Focuses on Results: Emphasizing student outcomes can lead to innovative teaching strategies and a stronger focus on effective educational practices.

Cons of Merit Pay

1. Measurement Challenges: Determining a teacher's merit can be complex. Student performance is influenced by numerous factors beyond the teacher's control, such as socio-economic status, home environment, and previous educational experiences.
2. Unfair Pressure: Merit pay can place undue pressure on teachers to "teach to the test," potentially narrowing the curriculum and stifling creativity in the classroom.
3. Morale Issues: Teachers working with disadvantaged or high-need students might feel penalized despite their hard work and dedication. This situation can result in decreased morale and high rates of employee turnover.
4. Collaborative Barriers: Education thrives on collaboration, but merit pay can foster competition rather than cooperation among teachers, harming a school's culture.

An Analogy to Understand Merit Pay

Imagine a gardener in a community park. The gardener's pay is determined by how well the plants and flowers bloom. If the weather is favorable, with plenty of sunshine and rain, the plants flourish, and the gardener receives high praise and a good salary. However, if there is a drought, poor soil, or an infestation of pests, no matter how skilled and dedicated the gardener is, the plants won't thrive as well. Similarly, teachers work with students whose "growth" can be significantly affected by external factors beyond the teacher's control, such as their home environment and socio-economic status. Just like the gardener, a teacher's "garden" (student performance) can vary greatly based on these external conditions.

Balancing Merit and Circumstances

The complexities of tying teacher pay to student performance are significant. Teachers often work with students facing substantial challenges, from poverty and homelessness to lack of parental support. These circumstances, which are beyond the teacher's control, are crucial to a student's academic performance.

A merit pay system must account for these variables to be fair. One way to address this is through a value-added model, which measures a student's progress rather than just their achievement. However, this approach has limitations and needs to capture the nuances of teaching and learning fully.

Conclusion

Merit pay for teachers is a contentious issue with valid arguments on both sides. While it aims to reward excellence and improve educational outcomes, it also poses significant challenges in fair implementation. As we consider reforms to our education system, it's crucial to recognize and address the diverse circumstances that impact teaching and learning.

Creating a balanced approach that acknowledges both the merits and limitations of teachers, as well as the circumstances of their students, is key to fostering a fair and effective merit pay system. Only then can we truly value our educators and support them in their mission to educate and inspire the next generation.

St. Patrick's Day for Kindergarten

St. Patrick's Day Tracing & Coloring

Fun and Easy St. Patrick's Day Activity for Primary Grades

Recognizing St. Patrick's Day in school is a delightful way to introduce students to Irish culture and traditions while making learning enjoyable. Engaging activities like art projects, themed stories, and festive decorations create a vibrant and exciting classroom environment. This holiday offers a unique opportunity to blend creativity with education, as students participate in fun and interactive lessons that enhance their understanding and appreciation of different cultures. Celebrating St. Patrick's Day fosters a sense of community and inclusiveness, making it a memorable and enriching experience for everyone involved.

Looking for a fun and easy St. Patrick's Day activity? Here are two I made for primary grades. One is a basic St. Patrick's themed trace and color activity, and the other focuses on the when, why, and how of the holiday; when is St. Patrick's Day celebrated, why is it celebrated, and how is it celebrated. These have many uses, such as a center activity, a whole group activity as a follow-up to a read-aloud, or use them however you would like.

St. Patrick's Day When, Why, and How Activity - HERE

St. Patrick's Day Trace and Color Activity - HERE

Hope you have a lucky day! :-)