Free Teacher Resource for Open House Night

I know that my Open House Night is coming up next week. So, I figured I would post a Free Teacher Resource. Here are my top five Open House Night Activities.

1. Set up a portfolio for yourself. I created a short PowerPoint of 4-8 slides to introduce myself, my family, my education and honors, and my goals for the school year.

2. Scavenger Hunt: make a list of items that every parent should find in the room. Give them clues. If they can't find one, have their child help them. (Last year, I let my students decide what they wanted the parents to find in our class. Then I printed up the scavenger hunt for the parents to complete with their child.)

3. Set up subject centers.
Computers - our school district uses one program for all students to receive additional help with reading and math. I set up all the computers to the website homepage and let the students show the parent what they do.
Math: this past school year, I put out a big starfish. Then I set out standard and non-standard forms of measurement and challenged the parents and students to find the perimeter with each one.
Estimation: every year I put out an estimation jar. This past year it was M&M's. Parents had to guess how many were in the jar. The parent that guessed the closest won a prize for the student. The following day we graphed the results and the top 5 guesses received "cool" school supplies and the remaining classmates got a pencil (for setup and a successful presentation of the classroom)
Science: I put together a mystery box. Inside was an item, and the parents and students had to use their senses to figure out what the item was inside. They put their guesses in a collection box. The following day we graphed their guesses.


4. One school year, our school held a "Parent Night" the Friday before school started. So, before I had met their children and started teaching anything I wanted to make a good first impression. Around my room I set up subject centers with topics we would learn this school year. The hit of the night was a set of gift bags I gave to my students.

I purchased decorative paper bags (you could also use zip locks). On the outside of the bag I taped this letter. (Use the list of items to fill your gift bag).

Dear Student,
Welcome to third grade with Ms. (your name)! I put together a few souvenirs to help you have a successful school year. As you pull items out of the bag read below to find out why I put them in there for you.

I am so happy to have you in my class this year!
Ms. (your name)

*Toothpick: Pick the good in everyone including yourself.

*Lifesaver: You can come to any adult at our school if you need help.

*Band-aid: To heal hurt feelings, either yours or someone else’s.

*Smarties: Everyone in our class will learn lots and is getting smarter every day.

*Eraser: We all makes mistakes. That’s OK, we learn by our mistakes.

*Hugs: Everyone needs a hug from time to time...even your teachers!

*Starburst: All the children in our class are stars.

*Sports sticker: Most important...Stick together and work as a team...Together everyone accomplishes more!!!


5. Have a Wish List Ready!
Have a fun way of requesting help and supplies from parents. An easy way is to make an "apple" wish list. Use the die cut to cut out apple shapes. Then, write on each apple one thing that you need for your classroom. Ask parents to draw one or two apples from either a basket, or a tree. If you don't know everything you'll need, then keep the apple basket/tree in your room for parents to pick from throughout the year! Let parents know when new items have been added to the basket/tree.
This idea was contributed by: a teacher at Proteacher.com


In addition to the tips I have provided here check out my Top Five Tips to Make a Good First Impression at www.doyougeek.com/blog

**I have posted a free teacher resource download there**

I also liked many of the tips provided at the following article. I have implemented a few of these ideas for my open house night this year.

If you want to make a good first impression, get organized with a reliable teacher planning system now! Download it today at www.teachersfirstday.com/specialoffer.html