Student -Led Conferences 2023

 

Friday 26th May 

Student-Led Conferences

Classroom Environment: 

During the preparation period for my student-led conferences, I  ensured that each area of their learning had clear titles and learning intentions (WALT's) that reflected what they had been learning inside the classroom.  I also made sure that it was in simple child talk that they could understand. This was so that when families came into the classroom they could clearly see what their child had been learning.  It also prompted students to remember what they had been learning. 



During one staff meeting this year we looked at different artworks and how to display them inside our classroom. Richard talked to us about the importance of displaying each students artwork so that it was neat and tidy and clearly labeled with student's name clearly displayed underneath it. We also discussed backing and framing students artwork so they looked presentable and something that they were proud of. This was something that I also saw and was taught when I was completing my placements as I was encouraged to implement this into my classroom. When I was displaying the students artwork and story writing I made sure that each student had at least 2-3 things up on the wall that was clearly named, backed and framed that they could show their families. This was particularly effective as on Parents Evening the students where able to quickly find their work displayed inside the classroom. 


On the day of the student-led conferences I organised the students' learning books so that they were on their desk and ready to go when their families came in. I found that this saved so much time as they didn't have to spend time looking for each of their books. 


Student Blogs - Online Learning: 

Another aspect that I looked at when I was planning for my student-led conferences was setting up my students blogs so that their families could access them and see what they had been doing inside the classroom. At my last BT meeting with Robyn, she suggested and showed me how to make QR codes for each student which would lead them straight to their blogs. After I was shown this I thought that was a fantastic idea. I used it to create my own class set of student's QR codes where the students caregivers could scan their child's code, so that they could see what they had been learning about. I found this really effective especially for a junior class who  are still learning about how to use their ipad as well as navigating our classroom site.  This system made it quick and easy to find each students blog.  



I spoke to Robyn and Fiona who showed me how to set up my students Edblogs so that each student had their own picture and Ko Wai Au (a summary introducing themselves and what they liked learning). When I was talking to Fiona she showed me how I could edit a students post so that I could teach them how to post by themselves and if I needed to I could edit their work. 

Student Preparation:  

While preparing my students for their student led conferences, I discussed what sort of things we could talk about and show their families. Each morning, I would go through the list of things we discussed  and get them to walk over and point to the area so that they knew where they were.

I also made a picture cue checklist that each student had with small pictures of each thing they were going to show their family member and the order they were going to show them. 


Another way that I prepared my students for the student-led conferences was through role-play. I put them in small groups and talked them through what they were going to say with their picture cues. 


I found that because we had practiced this often and talked about it as a class, that the evening went really smoothly and the students in my class were able to discuss with their family what they had been learning inside the class. 




 


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