Conferences
I do not do anything cute for conferences anymore. There's just not enough time for each one (15 minutes). I try to do cute stuff for open house early in the year. If you have more time for your conferences - you might ask your students to write a letter to parents telling them one good thing they are doing in school and one area for improvement.
I like to have student work to look at with parents. I don't just like to talk with nothing to show parents - I tend to ramble and get tounge tied because I get kind of nervous talking to parents sometimes. I saved a few work samples from all areas: writer's notebook, spelling tests, word wall recognition test, science test, and a social studies maping activity. This gives us something to focus on during conferences. I use grade keeper so I print a summary report for reading only and put that on top. I discuss it and then show work samples and follow the ole saying "start with something positive, mention an area or areas for improvement, end with something posititve.
Parents always want to know what they can do at home. I have a copy of the 100 basic sight words for first grade to give them and suggest making flash cards. For my higher students I might have the 2nd or 3rd grade list too. Parents often do not understand exactly what kind of books their child should be able to read independently. IF time permits, I I show them a copy of our guided reading books and explain with g.r is and what we do.
I always begin with "Do you have any questions or concerns before I begin?" It lets them get things started if they do have immediate concerns before you start talking.
I really do not like conference day. I try to get through it by being organized as possible - I get all work packets in order as they are scheduled for the day. Mine were last Monday. Have some ideas for what parents can do to help those struggling readers. Most seem clueless as to how to help their child practice reading at home Good luck!
