Modeling Effective Communication

Big Ideas and Questions

This section includes the key ideas that underpin the topic in the module. It also includes questions that support an inquiry stance about teacher-parent relationships; encourages independent and collaborative reflection; and provides a springboard for independent or collaborative professional reflection about the module’s focus.

Big Idea Bulb

Big Ideas

  • Parents and guardians can only lend their support when they are kept informed in a timely manner, especially if students are not progressing as expected or have not submitted key evidence of their learning that would enable them to move to the next level.
  • Communication with parents can be made for positive reasons and not just when there are potential or existing challenges in the classroom or school.
  • It is important that teachers and parents hold similar interpretations or understandings about situations or issues before constructive problem-solving can occur.

Bid Idea Question Mark

Questions

  • Which strategies, when used thoughtfully by teachers, are most effective at establishing open channels of communication between home and school?
  • When might it be most productive to initiate ‘good news’ communication with parents and guardians? When might it be most useful to surface challenges or problems?
  • How can both traditional or formal (e.g. school “open houses” and “curriculum information nights”) and other informal opportunities be adapted to better address parents’ questions and needs?