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1. Only use your first name (no last names, addresses, IM screen names, etc.)
2. Show respect and consideration of others when posting and commenting. This includes individuals, students, organizations, political parties, colleagues, etc.
3. Check all posts for spelling and grammar errors before posting.
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FINAL BLOG POST - OUR "DAILY TRIPLE" (DUE 12/1).
This week I would like you to use your imagination. You have just won the lottery and will leave your teaching post immediately to travel around the world. As you leave your keys you meet your replacement. You are asked to give this new teacher just ONE piece of advice. What would that be, and why? Enjoy your world expedition!

Blog Post - Week 7
This past week in my own teaching I felt a little disconnected which prompts my question to you, "What was the moment (or moments) when I felt most disconnected or disengaged as a teacher - the moment(s) I said to myself, I'm just going through the motions here?"

Fall Semester 2016 Blog Post - Week 6
For the past couple of weeks you have experienced asynchronous online learning (doing modules by yourself). Previously this semester you have experienced synchronous online learning (all together in the Collaborate room). Which do you think is more effective and why do you think that? Which do you like better, and why?

Fall Semester 2016 Blog Post - Week 5
This week we have what we call "open mic." You can write a post about anything related to your teaching that you would like responses from your classmates.

Fall Semester 2016 Blog Post - Week 4
Here is this week's question: "What was the event that most took me surprise this week - and event that shook me up, caught me off guard, gave me a jolt, or made me unexpectedly happy?"

Fall Semester 2016 Blog Post - Week 3
Please write a post about the following question, "In thinking about my past week teaching what is one thing I would do differently, and why?"

Fall Semester 2016 Blog Post - Week 2
Please write a post about the following question, " In thinking about my teaching activities this past week, of what do I feel most proud? Why?"

Fall Semester 2016 Blog Post - Week 1
Describe something you used in your program in the first weeks of school that you learned in the summer NTI program. How did it work? Did it get you off to a stronger start than last year?

Sunday, November 16, 2008

Contacting Parents

Our school does not have a formal system for contacting parents, except when grades are posted, we must contact all parents whose children have 74 or below.  I have found that it can be a very difficult task.  I used to call after school, but could never get the parent at home.  Now I call during my planning period at their work or cell number.  Often, I still do not get the parent during that time, but I do get call backs.  Unfortunately, the call backs have come in the early am when I'm counseling another student or during class time when I have a room full of other students.  I don't know what the solution is, other than to keep trying at different times of the day.  I think I get better responses from the daytime numbers.  I like contacting the failing students.  I don't know if I agree with contacting the students who have 74 or below.

1 comment:

Dr. M said...

Hi, Georgette - the reason behind contacting parents when their child falls below 74 is sound. Parents need to know and may be able to help focus their child before the 74 turns into a failing grade, as it quickly can. The proactive course is to deal with it right away before serious damage is done to their grade. And while parents may or may not make a difference, they at least need to be aware of the failing possibility while there is time to make a difference.

The trick for you is finding time and/or getting through, as you have seen. You may try contacting parents on a more regular basis, rather than after a grade posting as that may spread out the work a little. And use all the means at your disposal; email, postcards, phone, etc., as some work better than others for certain parents. Keep up the good work.