Better Teaching

Connecting With Parents

Survey parents to create effective policies

As the school year starts to wind down, you may want to reach out to parents for help in evaluating some of your policies. A good place to start is with your homework policy.

Asking parents to get involved with their child’s homework can be a double-edged sword. On one hand, studies show that parent involvement in homework leads to improved student achievement. On the other hand, parents can get too involved, and teachers receive wonderful essays clearly written by 37-year-olds.

Tell parents you want to design a homework policy for next year and that you need their help. Here are some questions you might ask:

• Do parents have a good idea of how often homework is assigned in your class?
• Do parents know how long each assignment should take?
• Are parents generally aware of the purpose of the homework?
• Do parents see your feedback on their child’s homework?
• Do parents feel they have enough information to be helpful?
• Were parents (or their child) ever frustrated by an assignment?
• How much time, on average, does their child spend on homework each evening?

Reprinted with permission from the May 2008 issue of Better Teaching® (Elementary Edition) newsletter. Copyright © 2008 The Teacher Institute®, a division of NIS, Inc. Source: Harris Cooper, The Battle Over Homework: Common Ground for Administrators, Teachers, and Parents, ISBN: 1-412-93713-2 (Corwin Press, 1-800-233-9936, www.corwinpress.com). 

Mathematics

Copy strategies of effective math teachers

Effective math teachers, like good teachers everywhere, are good classroom managers. They use their time wisely, they engage all students and they accommodate the diverse learning styles of their students.

According to research, successful math teachers also have students who:

• Are challenged. They apply math concepts to solve real-life problems and are introduced to the newest concepts in the field of math.
• Work with others. Students of effective teachers work in pairs and small groups. They don’t have to wait for the teacher to answer a question; they can actually learn from one another.
• Are actively involved. They don’t just listen to lectures or watch other students solving problems.
• Communicate mathematically. Students create graphs, write in journals and share ideas. Communication takes place in an environment that allows for mistakes, fosters understanding and promotes respect for others.
• Use manipulatives and other math tools. After receiving instruction, students are given many opportunities to use new skills in class.

Reprinted with permission from the May 2008 issue of Better Teaching® (Secondary Edition) newsletter. Copyright © 2008 The Teacher Institute®, a division of NIS, Inc. Source: “The Informed Educator Series: Elements of Highly Effective Mathematics Programs” (Educational Research Service, 1-800-791-9308, www.ers.org). 

Web Resources, Grants and Other News

GTCC Summer Institute Registration Open (including Online Book Symposiums)
http://gtccmt.org/events/summer2008/index.html

Montana Educators Institute
http://montana.ascd.org/proflearning.html
Sponsored by Montana Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development
June 9-12, 2008
Helena, MT

Great Falls Public Schools Summer Institute
http://mncesr.org/pd/gfps2008/
Sponsored by Great Falls Public Schools
August 13-15, 2008
Great Falls, MT

UPPER MARIAS WATERSHED TOUR FOR EDUCATORS
When: June 24, 25, 26 – 2008 Where: Dupuyer, MT (Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Ranch)
Description: Using local insights of the Marias to connect students and teachers to their watershed. Spend three days exploring the historical, cultural, and scientific aspects of the river and its tributaries by foot, by van and by raft. The course will begin at the headwaters of the Marias located at the intersection of Cut Bank Creek and Two Medicine River and end at Williamson Park in Shelby.
Credit / Renewal Units: 22 OPI renewal units and 1 graduate credit from MSU-Northern will be offered. Cost: depends on credit and lodging options (range: $80 - $240)
Registration: Registration information is available at on-line at http://mtwatercourse.org/ . *Register by June 2 to reserve your spot. Contact: Kelly Hayden – phone: 994-6425 or email: kelly.hayden@montana.edu  for more information.

SUN RIVER WATERSHED TOUR FOR EDUCATORS
When: June 6 from 9am – 5pm and June 7 from 9am – 3pm
Where: Tour will begin and end in Simms at the Fireside Inn on both June 6 & 7. Tour will travel from Gibson dam to Manchester.
Description: Participate in a field-based watershed tour and spend two days exploring the historical, cultural and scientific aspects of the Sun River and its tributaries. Through a lively mix of field tours, discussions and hands-on activities – participants will explore geography, the science of a watershed, historical settlement and land use. Renewal Units: 12 OPI renewal units Cost: $20
Registration: Registration information is available at on-line at http://mtwatercourse.org/ . *Register by May 26 to reserve your spot. Contact: Kelly Hayden – phone: 994-6425 or email: kelly.hayden@montana.edu  for more information.

Discover Montana's Ecosystems Video Contest - A video contest for Montana schools
http://fwp.mt.gov/education/schoolprograms/ecosystemVideoContest.html
DEADLINE: May 30, 2008
Montana Fish Wildlife & Parks and the Office of Public Instruction announce the first annual student Outdoor Report competition for school age students. Contestants will produce a 90-second video Outdoor Report featuring a conservation story about one of Montana’s four major ecosystems types.
Each entry must have a conservation theme and may feature stories about people doing conservation work or about the wild animals and plants on the Montana landscape.