7.Catch them
being good – Many students have never had a positive phone call made to their
parents.After you get to know them for
a few days, you’ll understand why!One
thing that turns the tables in your favor is the positive phone call home. Find something that one of your worst students
is doing right (for some students, you may have to look REALLY hard.)Call their parents that night, and tell them
how proud of their student you are because he/she (pick only one):
a.Answered one of your discussion questions in an
insightful way.
b.Turned her completed assignment in on time.
c.Is emerging as “a leader” in your class (nice
and vague, isn’t it?)
d.Is really helping you out with students who
“aren’t getting the material”.
e.Comes to class with all of her materials, ready
to learn.
f.Has a positive attitude towards class.
g.Has a lot of “potential”.
I know what you are
saying…”Aren’t students SUPPOSED to answer questions, come to class ready to
learn, and have a positive attitude towards class?”Yes, they are.A lot of the time, they don’t.I know what else you are saying…”The student
has potential?The student is emerging
as a leader?C’mon, man!Are you wanting me to make stuff up?”Try not to make up things that are
unbelievable, just embellish a bit if you have to.If you really try, you can find something
positive to say about any student…some are easier than others!The purpose of the call is to establish
positive communication with the parent.This will serve you well in the future if you have to report poor
behavior or ask the parent’s help with modifying their student’s behavior.Challenging students usually tell their
parents that “The teacher doesn’t like me” when negative reports come home, and
parents usually buy that story for a variety of reasons.Your positive phone call takes that card out
of the student’s manipulative deck.The
parent will reply, “That teacher likes you!She called a couple of months ago bragging on you!Now straighten up in Mrs. Murphy’s class…I
like that lady.”
