Elementary Open House Ideas

Open houses can make even the most experienced teacher sweat. Meeting parents for the first time demands adequate preparation to help you remain calm and have a successful parents' night. Remember, you have only one first impression.

PowerPoint

Prepare a Microsoft PowerPoint presentation to focus your agenda. Having a visual aid will ensure parents' attention.

Scavenger Hunt

Provide parents with a guided scavenger hunt inside your classroom. The hunt should focus on important aspects of your class.

Baby Pictures

Have students bring baby pictures and hang them on a bulletin board. Parents and students will enjoy trying to guess who's whom.

Wall Displays

Student work posted on classroom walls sets the tone for a learning environment. Rather than displaying silly projects, put creative, meaningful work on the walls and watch parents marvel.

Get Kids Involved

Consider having some of your students present projects at the open house as a reward. This offers parents a look at what's going on in your classroom as well as public-speaking practice for your students.

Warning

Avoid discussing issues of individual students with parents. If parents want to discuss their child, kindly ask them to set up a conference.

References

• Parent Night/Open House Ideas for Teachers