**Sorry, but none of my links are working for this particular post. Please copy and paste**
My top two choices for sharing my PLP are:
Society for Information Technology and Teacher Education 2013 New Orleans, LA http://site.aace.org/conf/future.htm
Alabama Educational Technology Conference 2013 http://ti.alsde.edu/aetc/
The first one I chose because I have a passion for teacher education. That is where I want to end up professionally in a few years. (Also, I spent 1st-4th grade in Louisiana...I like making connections)
The second one was selected because I began my teaching career in Alabama. I went to college in Alabama. I have been to an AETC conference for school. I think it would be cool to be able to give back to the area that helped me as a pre-service teacher. I loved all of the education I received, as well as the schools that I taught in.
I have decided on the year 2013 because I am having a baby in early 2012. I want to give myself time to to recover from all the hustle and bustle. I would probably try to submit a paper in 2012, see the responses and let it assist me build my presentation.
http://public.iwork.com/document/?a=p1340201794&d=Wk_4_PLP.key
(The speaker notes did not appear, so here they are:)
Slide #2 There are tons of different communications that can be used to get in contact with people today. However, when it comes to the home and school relationship, one wants to make sure that these communications are inexpensive, accessible, and realistic. The goal is to provide several options so that families feel like their individual needs were considered and can be met. However, one should not attempt to choose every kind of medium that exists because there is no way to juggle it all without it becoming cumbersome. Choose methods that are well known, and then one or two that are not just in case it is a main method for someone within the class. Keep in mind that some of these methods may require introduction and training, such as a student management system (SMS). This training is to be done by the school at the beginning of the year. (It does not necessarily have to be conducted by the homeroom teacher). If there is a method of contact that is school-wide, such as an SMS, this training should be done at the beginning of the year in a parent orientation type format. Document who has and who has not received the training. (Schools can make the training mandatory before the student can attend the first day of class. If this course of action is taken, then it is up to the parents to come in and receive training from the office staff or show proof of their ability to navigate the system.) Also, be sure to collect from each family, in one form, their contact information for each of the decided methods of contact. Ask them to highlight their top two means of contact. These will be the avenues by which the teacher should communicate with this family that will be included in their documented communication plan for the school year.
Slide #3 As previously mentioned, parent orientation is a held at the beginning of the year for all parents that have children attending the school. If there are other members of the family that will be responsible for the child’s progress, they should be present as well. Remember, out of respect for confidentiality and privacy, it is imperative that the teacher only discusses the student’s progress with approved family members. This listing should be documented, dated, signed, and stored for frequent reference. The parent orientation is roughly one and a half to two hours, and is comprised of a general session, school walk around and tour, a training session, and a classroom session. It would be wise to conduct more than one classroom session for parents that have more than one student enrolled in the school. The general session covers the policies of the school, financial responsibilities, uniforms-anything pertinent to the general population. The school walk around and tour allows families to explore the school and find their way around at the beginning of the school year. It also gives them a sneak peak at who will be dealing with their child(ren) in a direct and indirect manner throughout the year. The training session is for any technological programs that the school will be utilizing. Parents must know how to use the programs comfortably as soon as possible. This portion should ideally take place in the computer lab of the school for a hands-on experience. Lastly, the classroom session outlines the projected path of the school year, highlights the curriculum, and allows for question and answers. An outline should be typed and distributed so that parents have a quick reference sheet for all of the information presented. The ICP meetings are a follow-up to the parent meeting. This just ensures that parents understood all that was said and done. However, the main purpose is to create a communication plan that works for their family and the teacher. The ICP lists all teachers that will be involved with the student, preferred methods of contact, the desired or determined frequency of this contact, as well as a plan for attacking the special needs of the students. All of this information is taken and compiled into a formal document. It is reviewed, printed, and signed. All teachers who work with the student will receive a copy of the plan so they know how and when to contact the family if necessary.
Slide #4 Consistent communication does not mean daily. It may mean daily for some families. It does mean that the teacher will abide by the communication plan agreed upon, as well as send out information in general ways that will keep families abreast of all happenings. This practice not only makes them feel like the teacher is taking a real interest in their student, but it boosts the confidence that they have in the teacher. There are several ways that this can be done. Focus meetings are meetings that focus on a specific topic. This atmosphere is conducive for obtaining feedback from parents on a particular topic, as well as meeting the special needs of some of the students. For example, if a student is struggling with Math, a focus meeting can be planned that will provide helpful study tips for the students and provide additional resources that will help the student and the family at home. These meetings are to be more relaxed than the classroom setting and light refreshments and games are expected. These meetings take place in the evening hours, and are no longer than an hour and a half. These meetings are not limited to school subjects. They can include parenting skills, anger management, and organization to name a few. The ideas for the focus meetings are taken from the information listed on the ICPs of the class. Weekly parent-teacher conferences are just open office hours to where a parent can sign up and come in and discuss their questions and concerns. This is NOT something that is done with every parent, every week. These office hours may not even be used every week, but the parent needs to be able to contact the teacher in a face to face manner at some point every week should they desire. The meetings should have a time limit as to serve as many people within the predetermined time frame, and should be at the same time each week. Newsletters are just a fun way to send out information, stories, pictures, and reviews of classroom events. It can be sent weekly, monthly, bi-monthly, etc.
Slide #5 Increasing communication between parents and teachers does not rely solely on their shoulders. This responsibility is shared with the students. One way in which the students can participate is called an organization notebook. Within this notebook, should be documentation on the progress of the student academically and behaviorally, a method to organize students, and running goals for the student. This particular notebook on the screen is called a P.L.E.D.G.E book. This acronym reflects what is in the organization notebook. This notebook should be the hub for all documentation and paperwork. The notebook can be in various formats. P.L.E.D.G.E represents a different tab.
P-Planner and Papers (graded)
L-Logs
E-Explanations and Examples
D-Documents
G-Goals
E-Evaluations
Front Pocket: Communication Folder
Back Pocket: Homework still to be completed.
The use of this notebook should be mastered on the student level before the fourth week of school. Select one day a week for the students to submit their notebooks for teacher review. Note if the notebook is being used correctly. Assign a grade for the use of the notebook. Areas to be assessed:
-Daily Presence at School
-Correct Filing of Papers
-Consistent Use of Logs
Introduce the notebook and its purpose during Parent Orientation.
The student is ultimately responsible for this notebook. The first week of school the notebook will be built tab by tab, with the teacher’s assistance. The teacher will work closely with the students for the first two weeks, and then on the third week begin student conferencing. Once a week, the student will meet with the teacher to discuss their current standings, set and assess goals, evaluate recent tests, and discuss questions and concerns that the student and/or teacher may have. This practice keeps the teacher well informed of the needs and practices of the student. The teacher will be able to share pertinent information with the parents due to this practice.
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