Common Grounds: Coffee & Conversation with Dr. Brown is a Clifton Elementary School parent/community engagement event that will typically occur the 4th Friday of each month unless otherwise noted. Our second Common Grounds conversation was held on Friday, September 27th. The primary topic of conversation was Preparing for Parent/Teacher Conferences.
Dr. Brown presented three different scenarios to attendees that included what the data of an individual student who is performing well-above grade level expectations might look like, what the data might look like for a student who is struggling academically and performing well below grade level expectations, and what the data might look like for the average student who is performing at grade level expectations. Also provided for parents were some helpful questions they might ask during their parent/teacher conference to help them get a complete picture of how their child is progressing academically and behaviorally and what they can do to support their child's continued growth. Those same questions are listed for everyone below:
Possible Questions for Parents to Ask at Parent-Teacher Conferences
Abilities & Skills
Is my child working to his/her ability?
What are my child’s areas of strength and weakness?
What skills will my child be expected to master this year in Reading Language Arts, Math, Science, and Social Studies?
Academic Comprehension & Progress
Does my child appear to understand what he/she reads?
Can my child verbally express his/her thoughts and ideas clearly? Can he/she clearly express his/her thoughts and ideas in writing?
How is my child progressing academically, particularly in reading and math?
Behavior & Participation
What is my child like in class?
How does my child interact with his/her classmates/peers?
Does my child participate in classroom activities?
Does my child adhere to classroom rules and/or expectations?
Is there anything that I can share with you about what my child is like at home?
Support at Home
What can I do to support my child’s learning at home?
Teachers will be reaching out to parents in the coming weeks to schedule fall parent/teacher conferences. Please take advantage of this opportunity to learn and share information regarding your child's academic progress and achievement.
Thank you to all who attended this month's Common Grounds event. Also, please be sure to join us for our next Commond Grounds conversation on Friday, October 25th, at 8:00 AM in the CES Caferia. We will be discussing the content of reading and the conversation will include insights from special guest Ms. Kara Ripley, 5th Grade RLA Teacher.