This year our class will be participating in Student Led Conferences. This is in lieu of regular parent-teacher conferences.
In Student-Led Conferences, students take responsibility for their learning and share their work and their goals with their parents.
What is the schedule for Student-Led Conferences?
The schedule invites each child with their parent(s) into the classroom for 20 minutes. Up to 4 conferences will be taking place during each time slot. You will be signing up for a conference slot on Edsby, as per the email and notice that was sent home by the school.
What will it look like when we get there?
Upon arrival, students will invite their parents into the classroom and show them around. Then, students and parents sit at an assigned spot with their family and their Learning Portfolio. Students have been practicing what they will share and they will lead the conference. All you need to do is listen and respond positively!
What is in the portfolio?
The portfolio contains a selection of student work from September - November. Students were provided with parameters of the selection of work to include in their portfolio, but the actual selection of work is up to the individual student. Students have chosen the pieces of work that they would like to share.
What is the role of the parent?
We recognize that parents are accustomed to the traditional conferences and may find it difficult to listen to their student instead of asking teachers for clarification or explanations. During student-led conferences, parents focus the conversation on their children and reflect on their work with them. They look at samples and listen to their children’s explanations and reflections. Then, they ask their children how they can help and what the students need from them.
Some of the best questions that parents can ask center around homework environments and a student’s classroom efforts. This way parents can participate in developing strategies to support their students and then remain consistent long after the conferences end. This also helps parents to be open-minded about their children’s areas of improvement and to support their goal-setting process. For parents, it’s important to embrace the student-led conference format and allow children to take the reins so they can act as responsible learners.
What if there is nothing to talk about? What if we don't finish our conversation?
We include more work in the portfolio than time allows. This helps the students feel less anxious and also keeps conversation flowing smoothly. Students know that it's alright if they don't get through everything in their portfolio. In addition, parents are given the option of taking the students' learning portfolio home for the night to continue reviewing and discussing the work. Please make sure you return the portfolio as we will continue to add to them throughout the year.
We are looking forward to sharing in this new experience with you!
Happy Learning!
Mrs. Longo
