How to Prepare for Meet the Teacher Night
You’ve prepped the classroom, designed the curriculum, and met all of your lovely learners, so now the time has come to meet their parents. Starting the year off right with a successful Meet the Teacher night will set the tone for the rest of the school year, so it’s important to prepare as much as you can. With these open house ideas, you can be sure that your Meet the Teacher night will be a huge hit!
1. Plan Ahead: Kids' Craft Ideas
One of the best ideas for Meet the Teacher night is to have students make crafts in the few days before. Parents love seeing what their children have been up to since the school year began. While homework assignments and grades are important, showing parents that their children have been flexing their creative muscles is important, too! Plus, displaying your students’ artwork doubles as an adorable way to decorate the classroom. Here are a few art project ideas to prepare your classroom for your open house:
2. Organize the Classroom
The beginning of the year might have been a little crazy as your students got adjusted to their new classroom. Put your best foot forward by taking the time to organize all your classroom stations, from homework bins to your desk storage. Luckily, there are thrifty DIY organizers that will help you keep your classroom clean for Meet the Parent night (and for the rest of the year).
3. Make Parents Feel Welcomed
Go above and beyond the standard greetings and speeches with some unique open house ideas. Dress up your students’ desks with nametags designed for their parents, or create an interactive game where parents have to find their child’s desk.
Once everyone is seated, how you hand out information is up to you. Make sure you get parent contact information, if you don’t have it already, and make sure they have a way to get in touch with you. And, of course, answer their questions!
If you have the time, you can impress your students’ parents by sending them home with small classroom-themed favors like these: