Teacher-Parent Communication Strategies to Start the Year Off Right

By prioritizing communication with families at the start of the school year, educators can foster strong parent engagement, break down barriers, and provide support for all students.

A simple ledger can keep character top of mind for middle and high school students and allow them to track their improvement over time.

A focus on identity safety can help administrators make sure that all students feel welcome and ready to learn in every class.

Experts say it’s important to set clear limits and prioritize certain tasks early on in the school year to help prevent stress and burnout later.

After a year fraught with inequities, a well-crafted survey can help teachers discover and plan how to meet students’ needs.

A good welcoming activity is also a proactive classroom management strategy—it builds community in the classroom, establishes a sense of shared values, and makes everyone feel included.

Short, authentic writing tasks can encourage high school students to compose richer long pieces.

Having middle or high school students do historical research and show their learning on a 3D representation can spark deep interest.

Preschool teachers can use these strategies with students this fall and throughout the year to promote the skills they’ll need in kindergarten.

When students use hope theory as a frame for their work, it can make them more optimistic about the future.