Parent Teacher Conference Tips and Forms for Teachers
Updated: 1 hour ago
Parent Teacher Conference week can feel so overwhelming! There is a lot to prepare, and you are trying to remember what you want to say about every student while also keeping conferences running on time. I have found that using parent teacher conference forms helps me stay organized and makes it much easier to keep each conference on track.
How I Prepare for Parent Teacher Conferences
Before conferences, I gather all of the papers and information I know I will want to have in front of me.
Some of the things I usually pull together are:
Recent grades and assessment information
Student work samples
Reading and math progress
Student strengths
Areas that still need work
Behavior and work habits
Any goals we are already working on
Having everything together ahead of time makes parent teacher conference preparation much easier. I can talk through each student’s progress without having to search through papers during the conference.
I also like having one form in front of me with the most important information. My parent teacher conference forms include things like strengths, grades or assessment results, work habits, areas for improvement, and ways families can help at home.
Start With Something Positive
I like to start every conference by sharing something positive about the child. If I need to move into a concern or an area that still needs work, I usually try to use a feedback sandwich. I start with something positive, talk through the concern, and then end with another strength or accomplishment.
Some easy ways to start on a positive note are:
Share academic progress
Tell a quick story that shows the student’s personality
Highlight social or emotional strengths
Mention work habits, effort, or character
Compare where the student started to where they are now
Explain how the student positively affects the classroom
Here are a couple of examples:
Then vs. Now:
“In September, I noticed that she was having a hard time getting started independently. Now she gets right to work and is much more confident about what to do.”
Impact on the Class:
“He is such a kind helper, and that really makes a difference in our classroom because other students know they can count on him.”
Parent Teacher Conference Questions
I also like to think through a few parent teacher conference questions parents may ask so I am not trying to remember details on the spot. Thinking through these ahead of time helps me feel more prepared and makes it easier to give parents specific examples.
Some common questions I get asked are:
Is my child working at grade level?
What are my child’s strengths and weaknesses?
What does my child need to work on?
How is my child doing socially?
Is my child completing work independently?
What can we practice at home?
Does my child pay attention and stay focused in class?
Does my child get along well with other students?
Is my child organized and able to keep track of their desk and supplies?
Keep Conferences on Track
Once I get started with each conference, I’m always surprised by how quickly the time goes and having a simple outline in front of me helps me stay focused and makes it easier to move through the conference.
After the Conference
After each conference, I make sure to jot down anything I may need to come back to later. This helps me remember what was discussed and makes it easier to follow through after conference week.
I usually make a quick note of:
Any parent concerns
Goals we agreed on
Any follow-up I need to do
Anything I want to check again later
The Parent Teacher Conference Forms I Use
I like having everything for each student on one page so I can quickly see what I want to talk about without searching through a stack of papers.
Having a simple student progress conference form also gives me one place to keep my notes before, during, and after each conference.
If you are looking for conference forms for teachers, you can find my Parent Teacher Conference Forms and Student Progress Conference Templates on TPT.
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