As I have done this for a while, I have taken more seriously the importance of input from all stakeholders in the success of our students. I like to hear what my parents and students think so that I can tweak things in the future.
I have an evaluation that students complete for me each year which gives me good feedback on their experiences in our classroom. This really helps me to know what my students really enjoyed, and where I need to make changes.
The last couple years I have gone to making parent questionnaires at the end of the year. These questionnaires focus on a specific topic that I am considering for changes. I then make my questionnaire, and ask parents to respond. The information I get really helps me with my planning, and, I hope, helps the parents of future students. A couple years ago, I asked for parent input about my website as I was preparing to revamp it. They helped me by letting me know how often they used it, what information on it they found important, and what elements they thought were missing. This information really helped to give me direction for my website changes.
Last year, I asked parents to evaluate the communication in our classroom. Their input helped me to keep many of the things I had in place as well as to develop a Google Group for more instantaneous contact.
I spend a lot of time thinking about homework and its ?importance?. I am lucky to work at a school where most students complete their homework, but I know that many of them are having a lot of parent help, and so then it makes it tough for me to gauge the student's abilities. Besides that, I do not take grades on homework, and this is hard for parents to understand. I could go on and on about my thoughts and questions about homework. I can see its benefits, but I also question its effectiveness. So, with that in mind, I made this MY QUESTIONNAIRE for the year. I think I sent it home a week too late because I only got about a third of my parents to respond, but I still found some valuable information as I consider things for next year.
What are your thoughts on homework? How much do you give? Do you give online homework? I would love to know what you think, too! Click HERE for access to the questionnaire I used this year.
2 comments:
As a primary grade teacher, I feel like homework is important. I feel like it gives them the extra practice that they need in addition to classroom instruction. I feel like it also teaches them other values like responsibility and accountability as important life skills. I like your idea of sending home parent questionnaires to get valuable input!
Lisa
Learning Is Something to Treasure
This is a fantastic idea. What a great way to gage how things went this year and plan for next year. Your post made me stop and think. I may have thought that what I was giving was pretty right on the money, but why not ask the source??!! Thanks for shifting my thinking . . . I am a followin' ya :)
Kelley Dolling
Teacher Idea Factory
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