• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • Free French Resources
  • Newsletter
  • Speaking Activities
  • Beginning French
  • Intermediate/Advanced
  • Unit Bundles
  • Shop

Mme R's French Resources

August 14, 2019

Open house night tips for secondary teachers

ShareTweetGooglePinterestMail
open-house-back-to-school-night-tips

It’s back to school time, and at a lot of schools, this means Open House Night. As a secondary teacher, I always felt rushed during Open House, because the schedule often demanded that parents visit many teachers. I repeated myself several times, met tons of parents, and left totally exhausted. I’m a natural introvert, so events like this are just that much harder for me. Of course I wanted to make a good impression on them, because in secondary classes, the Open House might be the only time I met them all year. Here are some ways I made the night easier for me and better for parents.

Want to know how I handle the first day of school? Read this!

Before the Open House Night

If this is your first Open House, make sure to ask your mentor, team leader, or administrator about the format so that you can plan accordingly.

There are a variety of formats to an Open House, so your parents might attend a general welcome meeting in the cafeteria or auditorium before heading to your classroom. I’ve taught in schools where the parents went to each teacher’s class for ten minute increments and in others where our grade level team presented for 30 minutes together. Find out early so that you can prepare accordingly.

What will parents want to know?

Secondary parents don’t have it easy! Parents with multiple kids could be working with 10, 15, or even 20 different teachers! They want the basics: Who are you? What will their child be doing in your class? How can they help their child (and you)? How can they reach you? What should they expect to see come home? How will they be notified of changes/grades/problems?

Even if you are very limited on time, make sure to share a few things that will make your class stand out, such as a service learning project, cool field trip, or fun project you’ll be doing. You want them to be excited about the class, too!

Introduce yourself

Before the Open House night, send a letter home introducing yourself. True, not all parents will get it. Of those who do, maybe they won’t read it all, so make the letter short and sweet. Remember, they will get letters and information packets from many teachers. If it’s too long, they won’t read it! Briefly present yourself and your background. Outline key information about your class. Invite them to connect with you by sharing your contact information and if you have a class website, you can share that.

Create a sign-in system

It’s really nice to have a sign-in system just inside the door so that you can collect names and e-mails. You’ll likely have that information in your school system, but it will help you later in the year when you aren’t sure if you’ve met a parent already. I’ve put mine in the hall and had parents miss it, so placing it just inside your door helps.

You can also have papers to pick up, such as a handout with the information from your presentation or volunteer opportunities. I’ve found that having parents write much can be a distraction to them or others, so I’ve kept that to a minimum.

Click here to grab this free sign in form! Includes a French version, an English version, and this combined version shown here.

What to present to parents at the Open House Night?

Your daily schedule/class schedule

Middle and high school classes might not need to present your daily schedule, as most students will have varied schedules. If you have a homeroom class who spends a portion of the day with you, you can explain what happens during this time. Otherwise, give them an idea what a typical day in your class looks like.

I always liked to outline my class schedule so parents knew the structure of my class. They should know before they leave my class that there are a variety of activities including a daily warm-up, some structured speaking time, and a few minutes for homework questions. I let them know that we spend a lot of time doing communicative activities and games so that the students build oral proficiency. That way, if a student tells their parents that they just sat around talking in French class, this won’t sound quite so odd!

Your classroom expectations

There might be a school-wide behavior system, and if so, they have likely been informed of it already. You can touch upon this, but you really want to get to your individual policies. If you do not accept late work, do not let kids go to their lockers, or have a strict tardy policy, now is the time to let parents know. This has probably gone home in your course outline, but you want to be clear from the beginning. In addition, you can share your incentives or any fun activities you do as a class reward.

My classroom expectations are posted on my wall, but since they are in French, I make sure to share an English copy that goes home, too!

Your wish list

If you feel comfortable and your school allows this, providing parents with a wish list is a nice way to get what you need for class without having to buy it yourself. Some things I’ve asked for include old magazines for projects, communal art supplies, tissues, and small trinkets to give game winners.

Tips to help their children succeed

Let parents know what they can do to help. Do you have a list of websites or apps that you recommend for working at home? Would you like students to read independently for a certain number of minutes per day? How long should they be spending on homework? How are students expected to organize their materials? Share your tips with them!

Volunteer opportunities

You might not have any need for parent volunteers, but if this appeals to you, there is no harm in asking parents for help. Parents often step back in middle school and high school, but I don’t think it’s that they don’t want to be involved. I know a lot of secondary teachers who just don’t ask for help.

You could ask for help on a variety of tasks such as:

  • compiling book orders
  • book or novel inventory (if you check out your own books)
  • decorating your door
  • bulletin boards
  • hanging student work
  • sorting supplies
  • assembling games
  • cutting your laminated resources
  • using special skills they might have for an after-school club

Your preferred method of communication

I’ll admit it. I always dreaded seeing my message light on my phone. I’m an email and text message lover, but I really don’t like talking on the phone. I can easily open up an email in class to read a quick message, but listening to a voice mail takes me away from students for longer. I let parents know that it is much more practical to email me, and remind them that I don’t answer the phone while teaching so that I don’t take away from student learning time.

Parent questions

If time allows, you can leave a few minutes for parent questions. I have always just done this informally, having parents raise their hands and ask their questions. In large and small groups, this has never been an issue. However, if you don’t have time, or if you get more questions than you can deal with, you can have index cards for parents to write their questions with a phone number or e-mail for you to follow up in the next few days.

Have a great Open House! If you have any other great tips, share them below!

Filed Under: Back to school, Classroom management, Middle and high school teaching, Teaching tips, Uncategorized Ashley Leave a Comment

Reader Interactions

French Reading Comprehension Strategies
How to teach French -er verbs

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

I accept the Privacy Policy

Primary Sidebar

French-speaking-activities
French paperless task cards
French-vocabulary-grammar-units
French reading comprehension activities
French vocabulary and verb worksheets
Games for French class

mmersfrenchresources

mmersfrenchresources
Spending a perfect day with two of my favorite peo Spending a perfect day with two of my favorite people! ☀️⚾️👑
FREEBIE 🎉 Grab this summer-themed freebie so y FREEBIE 🎉  Grab this summer-themed freebie so you've got something ready for fast finishers or in case you've got a sudden schedule change! It's bound to happen at some point!  #frenchteachers #frenchresources #mmersfrenchresources #corefrench #profdefrançais #worldlanguageteachers #targetlanguage #teachingfrench #enseignement #enseigner #teachfrench #tptfreebie #tpt #teacherspayteachers #freeteachingresources #profsfrancofun #corefrench #teachingfrench #teachingfrenchtokids #teachingfrench #frenchteacher #frenchteachersoninsta #frenchteachers #profdefrançais #teachersofinstagram #teachersfollowteachers #teachergram
SUMMER! 🌴⁣ ⁣ It's finally here! ⁣ ⁣ I w SUMMER! 🌴⁣
⁣
It's finally here! ⁣
⁣
I wait all year for summer! Not kidding. I hate winter and the cold. I could be ALL my life in shorts and sandals!⁣
⁣
Just a few things I'm excited for: ⁣
Loads of ice cream 🍦⁣
Camping ⛺⁣
Chicago 🏙⁣
Dates with my husband 👫⁣
Drive in movies 🚗⁣
Pool days with my kiddo 👙⁣
⁣
What's on your summer bucket list?⁣
⁣
#teachersinsummer #teachergram⁣
#igteachers #teachersofinstagram #frenchteachers #frenchteacher #teachergram #teachers #teachersofinsta  #middleschoolteacher #teachersfollowteachers #teachersofig
CHECKING OUT⁣ ⁣ Anything more frustrating than CHECKING OUT⁣
⁣
Anything more frustrating than being all ready to go, but you can't get that last signature on your sign-out form? 😩
EVEN BIG KIDS LOVE TO COLOR 🖍⁣ ⁣ One of my EVEN BIG KIDS LOVE TO COLOR 🖍⁣
⁣
One of my favorite quiet activities for those days when students are a little over-stimulated is a color by code for grammar.⁣
⁣
Even high schoolers like to color, but I have to admit, I didn't think about doing these types of activities when I first started teaching. It wasn't until I had accidentally left out the coloring books I kept for those times my son was in my classroom that I realized it, because they ALL wanted to color when they finished their finals. ⁣
⁣
I had a total 💡 moment! ⁣
⁣
So, since then, I've always tried to make a few color by code activities to review parts of speech or verbs, and they love it! ⁣
⁣
You can find this page and a few more in my summer packet.⁣
Link in my bio @mmersfrenchresources⁣
⁣
⁣
⁣
⁣
#frenchteachers #frenchresources #mmersfrenchresources #corefrench #profdefrançais #worldlanguageteachers #targetlanguage #teachingfrench #enseignement #enseigner #teachfrench #conjugaison #frenchverbs #frenchteacher #teachersofinstagram
SELF-CARE⁣ ⁣ I love bubble baths a little more SELF-CARE⁣
⁣
I love bubble baths a little more than the average person, but when I think of self-care, that's not the only thing that comes to mind.⁣
⁣
Here are a few ways I love to take care of myself when I'm overwhelmed - or how I like to keep myself in good shape mentally and physically.⁣
⁣
If you know a little about me, then you know that I love to run and read. Those are not on my list, because they are habits for me, so they aren't my self-care routines I tend to forget about.⁣
⁣
This list is the things I need to make myself do when I'm down so that I feel a little more myself.⁣
⁣
What do you do to take care of yourself? ⁣
⁣
⁣
#igteachers #teachersofinstagram #frenchteachers #frenchteacher #teachergram #teachers #teachersofinsta #teaching #middleschoolteacher # #teachersfollowteachers #iteach456 #teachersofig #teachersinjune #teachersinsummer #selfcaresunday #selfcare #teacherselfcare
WHAT I'M READING⁣ ⁣ Disclaimer - I've read thi WHAT I'M READING⁣
⁣
Disclaimer - I've read this before and I'm reading it again, because I just tend to do that with books. 😉⁣
⁣
A lot of the time, the classroom was not a happy place for me. I didn't really understand why, but I would cringe when a teacher told us to go find a partner.⁣
⁣
I knew I wasn't going to like what was coming because:⁣
A. I don't enjoy working with people.⁣
B. Going and finding my own partner was really stressful for me.⁣
C. The activity was bound to be noisy, and I really don't like that.⁣
⁣
It wasn't until many years later, as a teacher myself, that I realized that there wasn't something "wrong" with me, although people often thought I was snotty or mean because I don't talk much or reach out to people.⁣
⁣
As a teacher, especially a language teacher, I understand the importance of group work, but I have also been extremely cautious to not have students just "find a partner." I know the anxiety that created for me, and I think there are always students like that in the classroom. ⁣
⁣
I'm intentional about putting students in groups, and I have had students tell me in my student feedback survey that they really appreciated that.⁣
⁣
This book is a great read if you are an introvert yourself, because it definitely helped me understand that it's okay to want quiet and prefer being alone a lot of the time.⁣
⁣
It's great for extroverts, because I know many times people have not understood when I was overwhelmed with the noise or the people and I needed to go home.  For teachers, it would give a good insight into those students who really don't seem to like groups. ⁣
⁣
If you're looking for some summer reading, it's not the lightest read, but it is a book that I've found really helpful.⁣
⁣
#booklist #whatimreading #teacherbooks #readinglist #bookshelf #teachers⁣
⁣
 ⁣
#igteachers #teachersofinstagram #frenchteachers #frenchteacher #teachergram #teachers #teachersofinsta #teaching #middleschoolteacher
LISTENING⁣ ⁣ I don't know about you, but help LISTENING⁣
⁣
 I don't know about you, but helping students improve listening skills has always been the hardest part of teaching French. Whether it was in immersion or FSL, the students have always been very used to my voice or the voices of their other teachers, but when we listen to songs, watch movies, or listen to audio tracks, they have a hard time understanding different accents.⁣
⁣
I wanted to find a way to make listening to a native speaker more accessible, even to beginners, even when they don't understand all the words, even when they can't see the teacher gesturing.⁣
⁣
If you've used my differentiated reading activities, then you know that they make the same text accessible to different levels. My listening activities do the same thing, but this time, it's with audio tracks recorded by native speakers around the francophone world.⁣
⁣
Learn more about my listening activities at my blog. Link in bio @mmersfrenchresources⁣
⁣
⁣
#igteachers #teachersofinstagram #frenchteachers #frenchteacher #teachergram #teachers #teachersofinsta #teaching #middleschoolteacher #frenchteachers #frenchresources #mmersfrenchresources #corefrench #profdefrançais #worldlanguageteachers #targetlanguage #teachingfrench #enseignement #enseigner #teachfrench #frenchimmersion
VOCABULAIRE⁣ ⁣ Teachers love my reading activi VOCABULAIRE⁣
⁣
Teachers love my reading activities and ask for more all the time, so I thought I'd make a fun summer-themed vocabulary activity that incorporates some reading.⁣
⁣
This texte à trous activity has 4 summer-themed readings for core and immersion classes that will help you bring a little seasonal vocabulary into your class this month!⁣
⁣
Find the link in my bio @mmersfrenchresources⁣
⁣
⁣
#frenchteachers #frenchresources #mmersfrenchresources #corefrench #profdefrançais #worldlanguageteachers #targetlanguage #teachingfrench #enseignement #enseigner #teachfrench #vocabulaire #iteachfrench #iteach456 #teachersfollowteachers #teachergram #frenchteacher #frenchresources #frenchimmersion
END THE YEAR RIGHT!⁣ ⁣ It's getting to be that END THE YEAR RIGHT!⁣
⁣
It's getting to be that time! No matter how ready I've ever been for a school year to end, it somehow ends up that I'm scrambling on the last few days to get stuff done. ⁣
⁣
Sound familiar?⁣
⁣
Here are a few things you can do to make a smoother transition into summer.⁣
⁣
1. Throw stuff away. Seriously. Do not save things for projects you may never do. Just throw it out. (I am terrible at this.)⁣
⁣
2. Put the meaningful things in a locked cabinet or take them home. Your classroom isn't really yours, and during summer school, maintenance, or just when it's empty, something you value might get lost or broken.⁣
⁣
3. Get organized. I'm a huge fan of the dollar store, and I love pretty bins, so this is actually really fun for me. ⁣
⁣
4. Plan ahead if you have to sign out with a checklist. Try and do a few ahead of time if you can so you aren't running all over the building on the last day.⁣
⁣
5. Have fun! You spent all year building a family, and now it's time to say goodbye. As much as everyone is ready to sleep in a little, it's hard to say goodbye. Make some good memories on your last few days.⁣
⁣
6. Empty your snack drawer. I won't even tell you how disgusting it is when you leave a few non-packaged snacks (bags of fruit 🤢) in your drawer over the summer. So much for healthy eating...⁣
⁣
Any other year-end tips? Share them below!⁣
⁣
⁣
#igteachers #teachersofinstagram #frenchteachers #frenchteacher #teachergram #teachers #teachersofinsta #teaching #middleschoolteacher #frenchteachers  #mmersfrenchresources #profdefrançais #worldlanguageteachers  #enseignement #enseigner
JUNE Can you believe it's June?!? June is my favo JUNE  Can you believe it's June?!? June is my favorite month, so I’ve been waiting!  Things I love about June : longer days and late sunsets, fireflies, root beer floats, watermelon, sandals, swimming, picnics, hikes with my son.  Do you have a favorite part of summer?
BONJOUR !⁣ ⁣ I have “met” so many differen BONJOUR !⁣
⁣
I have “met” so many different teachers from around the world here on IG, and it's so fun discovering new facts about everyone! I thought I'd share a few things about me you might not know.😊⁣
⁣
1.  I'm the youngest of 4 kids. My oldest brother was a senior in high school when I was in kindergarten, so my mom had little kids at home for a LONG time.⁣
⁣
2. I love roller coasters! This is me and one of my sisters in Vegas just after we rode the ride at New York, New York. It was really fun - just in case you're wondering! ⁣
⁣
3. I have moved 14 times to different homes in various states and countries, but I bought the house I live in now and have had it for a long time! I can't imagine trying to pack up a house now...⁣
⁣
4. I'm mom to a middle schooler (7th grade now!) and I don't have any idea how that is, because he was just a baby a minute ago. 🤔⁣
⁣
5. I seriously love to eat and I think I'm pretty much always hungry. I'm also always going, so I guess that makes sense!⁣
⁣
Do we share anything in common? Let me know in the comments! ⁣
⁣
⁣
⁣
⁣
⁣
#igteachers #teachersofinstagram #frenchteachers #frenchteacher #teachergram #teachers #teachersofinsta #mmersfrenchresources
NEW BOOK📚⁣ ⁣ If you've been following along NEW BOOK📚⁣
⁣
If you've been following along for a while, then then you might know that my goal is to read 52 books this year. It used to be a book for each year of my age, but I was doing that easily, so I just decided a book a week would be a nice goal.⁣
⁣
I've been reading The People We Keep by Allison Larkin and it's great!⁣
⁣
It's a coming of age story that really resonated with me, because it's about a girl who ends up on her own and, as a result, she drops out of school. It's a story of amazing resilience that I found particularly touching as a teacher, because we never quite know what kids are going through when they aren't in our classrooms. ⁣
⁣
I'm always adding to my list, so share a favorite in the comments! ⁣
⁣
#teachersummer #teacherreader #readinglist ⁣
#whatimreading ⁣
#bookshelf #bookaddict #readingtime #igteachers #teachersofinstagram #teachergram #teachers #teachersofinsta #middleschoolteacher
Yesterday I took a social media and news break. Ne Yesterday I took a social media and news break. News in America is rarely good, and I just have to step back.  I woke this morning and heard of yesterday’s school shooting while my husband was listening to the news. I opened up my phone to learn more before my son woke up, because I wanted to talk with him before school.  My son woke up for his last day of school and came downstairs to find me crying. When he asked me what was wrong, I struggled to find the words to explain to him what had happened.  These kids were having their last week of school. They did all the normal things, never knowing it was the last time they would do them.  How do I tell him what happened and then send him off like everything is normal? He’s in middle school, so he’s going to hear about it. I don’t want to hide it from him. I also don’t want to scare him. But it’s scary. And it’s real. It’s scary that it keeps happening and lawmakers just won’t make changes to keep us safe.  I don’t tell him of the many active shooter drills I’ve done. I certainly never imagined that when I was doing teacher training.  I don’t tell him that this happens in America far too often.  I don’t really quite have the words to tell him, because I can’t wrap my head around it myself.  So I tell him what I know, hug him the hardest I can, and send him to school.  How do we just keep going on like it’s all okay? None of this is okay.
FREEBIES!⁣ ⁣ It's always a good idea to have s FREEBIES!⁣
⁣
It's always a good idea to have some resources on hand just in case, right? I thought I'd help you find some ready-to-go resources for the next few weeks so you can focus a little less time looking and more time doing what you enjoy. 😊⁣
⁣
Find links to free French summer resources from a variety of TpT authors in this blog post.⁣
⁣
I hope you find something to save yourself some time!⁣
⁣
⁣
#frenchteachers #frenchresources #mmersfrenchresources #corefrench #profdefrançais #worldlanguageteachers #targetlanguage #teachingfrench #enseignement #enseigner #teachfrench #tptfreebies #frenchteacher #frenchimmersion #teachersinsummer #summerbreak #teacherspayteachersfreebie #profsfrancofun
🌴🌴SUMMER IS COMING! 🌴 I'm so ready! How 🌴🌴SUMMER IS COMING! 🌴  I'm so ready! How about you?  If you are still teaching for a few more weeks, maybe some seasonal fun would make it less stressful?  I've got a brand-new summer-themed bundle with 10 resources to save planning time and have fun!  𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁'𝘀 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝗱𝗲𝗱?
🌴No-prep worksheets 
🌴Texte à trous reading activities
🌴Summer bingo
🌴French speaking cards
🌴Boom Cards
🌴J'ai... qui a... ?
🌴Word wall cards
🌴Write the room
🌴Board games
🌴Puzzles  𝗨𝘀𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗽𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲:
Present tense verbs
Parts of speech
Sentence structure
French summer vocabulary
Writing sentences in French
Asking and answering questions  This is perfect for Core French beginners, but all resources are in French-only, so this would also work in a late French immersion class.  Find the link to the summer bundle in my bio @mmersfrenchresources  #frenchteacher #frenchresources #teachingfrench #profdefrançais #mmersfrenchresources #corefrench #frenchimmersion #teachingfrenchtokids #frimm #teachfrench #elementaryfrench #françaislangue
New book suggestion 📚 I have been reading this New book suggestion 📚  I have been reading this by @kristinharmel the past few days, and I’d highly recommend it!  I love historical fiction, and I know a lot of you do, too, so I wanted to share! I haven’t wanted to put it down, but I’m spending a long weekend with my sis and don’t want to leave her waiting for me! 😂  #readinglist #frenchteacherlife #frenchteachers #whatimreading #booknerd
Happy Mother’s Day! Mother’s Day is always b Happy Mother’s Day!  Mother’s Day is always bittersweet for me, because I lost my mom years ago.  I have an amazing mother-in-law and aunt, and I’m thankful to share the day with them. Plus, I have beautiful flowers in my garden from my mom’s house, so I know she’s still with me.  As a mom myself, I so appreciate having a day where I can relax and be with my family. I wanted so very much to be a mom and it didn’t happen easily, so I’m extra thankful for my son! ❤️  I wish you a wonderful Mother’s Day if you’re celebrating with your mom and a day full of warm memories if you can’t be with her. 💕
🌟STUDENT AWARDS 🌟 Do you have my end of yea 🌟STUDENT AWARDS 🌟  Do you have my end of year awards? If so, you won't want to miss the HUGE update!  The original set was made way back when I first started putting my resources on TpT - around 2014 or 2015 - so I figured it could use a refresh.  It's on sale for just a few more hours, too! 😀  Link in bio @mmersfrenchresources  #teachersofinstagram 
#tptsale #teachfrench #iteachfrench #frenchteachers #frenchteacher #teachingfrench #middleschoolfrench #corefrench #profsfrancofun #profdefrançais #frenchimmersion
#teacherspayteachers #mmersfrenchresources
HELLO MAY! April brought nothing but cold weathe HELLO MAY!  April brought nothing but cold weather and Covid to my world, so I'm hoping May looks better!  Today was beautiful and I went for a nice run, so things might just be looking up. 
🤞  I've got a few huge things planned for this month, but life has been showing me that I can make all the plans I want, but things are just gonna happen how they want to. I guess I'll get to them in good time, right?  #frenchteachers #frenchteachersoninstagram 
#frenchteacher #frenchteachersoninsta
Load More Follow on Instagram

Footer

Still Looking for Something?

  • Home
  • Free French Resources
  • Beginning French
  • Intermediate/Advanced
  • Speaking Activities
  • Unit Bundles
  • Privacy Policy
  • Shop

© 2015 Mme R's French Resources · Customised By: Laine Sutherland Designs

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. You can view our privacy policy here. Accept
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT