10, 9, 8 … countdown to open school night: is your school's open school night fast approaching? Here are 44 teacher tips, activity ideas, and last-minute reminders to guarantee a great back-to-school celebration - Activities: open school night

Instructor, Sept, 2003

10 Get Ready! Checklist

At some schools, open house happens during the first week of school. If you're lucky enough to have planning time, make the most of it!

Three or More Weeks Before the Event:

--Begin gathering examples of student writing, artwork, and in-class projects.

--Take photographs of daily classroom activities for a slide show, bulletin board, or to give to parents as mementos.

--Prepare home-school handouts, such as a class list, grade-level expectations, homework policies, and volunteer requests.

Two Weeks Before:

--Ask students to participate. Invite suggestions about which class activities or achievements they would like to share.

--Have students make hand-made invitations. See page 50 for ideas.

One Week Before:

--Plan your opening remarks. Keep them short and upbeat. (Policies are best left to hand-outs.) Explain what you expect from your students and how parents can help.

--Have students create a welcome display.

A Few Days Before:

--If you can, call parents personally and remind them about the event. Ask about any special needs (e.g., translation).

The Night Before:

--Get a good night's sleep!

9 How to Make Parents Feel Welcome (Remember ... They Get Nervous, Too!)

Smile and Greet Them at the Door. Let each parent know how happy you are that he or she could come.

Have Children Introduce Their Parents. Open house is a great occasion for learning about manners and rituals. A few days before the event, do a little pray-acting. Have students practice making introductions: "Mrs. Plummer, I would like you to meet my Mom and Dad."

Invite Parents' Input. Give parents an information sheet to fill out that asks for information such as "Three strengths my child has are ..." and "Three things I would like to see my child learn this year are ..."

Meet Parent's Real Needs. A parent may have only a few minutes before an evening shift, or may have to attend with toddlers in tow. Make everyone--especially the rushed and the harried--feel appreciated.

Let Parents Get To Know You. Make a small display with your own family photos, favorite books, travel mementos, and so on.

Send Thank-You Notes. To simplify this task, have parents write their addresses on envelopes when they visit.

8 3 Things Every Parent Is Looking For (And What You Can Do)

A Supportive Environment. Parents want to know that your classroom is a positive and friendly place. Take time to share one special thing you've noticed about each child in the first weeks with his or her parents.

A Sense of Your Expectations. Share with parents the classroom rules that you and your students have created together. Give them a hand-out that clearly states what you want your students to learn in each subject area by the end of the year.

Open Communication. Let parents know that you consider them equal partners in their children's education. Tell them how you will keep in touch (e.g., newsletters, quarterly reports). Hand out cards with your contact information, and the best times to call.

7 Fun Activities Parents and Kids Can Share

Who's Who Display. Have a volunteer take instant photos of each family group as they arrive. The student can label the picture with his or her name and parents' names and add it to an ongoing display, titled "We are Family," "Together We Can," or "We're Working Together." Later, use the pictures to make a class directory or save them for student scrapbooks.

Classroom Scavenger Hunt. Introduce your classroom by having students lead parents on a classroom scavenger hunt. Make a list of 10 clues that point to important aspects of your classroom. Here are some examples: "Can you find our #1 classroom rule?" "What is the name of our classroom pet?" "Can you find your child's book report/drawing/science project?" The children will love leading the way.

Kid-Made Maps. Alternatively, have students use their measurement skills to draw classroom maps on graph paper. Ask them to label classroom "hot spots" with foil stars. Place the maps on students' desks and encourage parents to visit each starred location.

Memory Books. When parents visit the classroom, it often brings back memories of their own school days. Encourage them to share these recollections by contributing to a collaborative book. Ask each parent to record on a page one thing that was different when he or she was in school. Then, have the student add a drawing.

Math Manipulative Challenge. Introduce parents to the manipulatives you use in your classroom with a quick, grade-appropriate activity that parents and children can do together such as building a block tower or geometrical shape, or creating a quilt square.

6 Fun Ways to Encourage Parents to Volunteer

Basket of Apples. Use a die-cut or a simple pattern to create apple shapes or another fun shape. Then write one classroom need or wish (e.g., paper towels, magazines, camera film) on each apple and invite parents to leaf through the basket and take an apple of two as a reminder to contribute!