Laura at Corkboard Connections Blog
is having a linky party about caring classrooms.
My number one tip for creating a caring classroom is to connect with the students and parents BEFORE school starts. It does take time when you are busy setting up your room, but it is so worth it.
I do this in several ways:
1. I send out emails early to check if they are correct and okay for school communication. I also check addresses since it is not uncommon for people to move during the summer.
2. I email invitations to our open house, which is for parents and students with colorful stationary. Click here to see a sample
3. I call families especially new ones to see if there are any special needs or concerns that they may have, which would be difficult to discuss at an open house.
4. I mail students a "Whooo Am I letter?" The letter tells a little about me and ask them to fill out the blank page with information about themselves.
5. Then the first week of school, we play the who am I game based on the answers they submitted and the students get guess, which student wrote the answers. It also helps with community building and name recognition.
