Asking questions is the first step to better parent-teacher communication. However, it is important that in PTMs, parents must never be late. Respect the teacher by arriving on time. Do not over stretch your talks, there are other parents waiting too. To prepare, speak to your child and learn the teacher's homework and classroom methods. Also be open to talk about your child's career interests and co-curricular activities outside of school.

What are my child's strengths and weaknesses? What are some examples of each strength or weakness? Does my child speak or ask questions during the class and in any of the classroom activities? For the most part, does my child seem happy and to be adjusting well to school? Is my child getting along with others? Are there any classroom relationships or situations which I need to be made aware of? Have you noticed any changes in behavior that I should be concerned with? Is my child complaining of having trouble seeing the board or does my child seem sleepy?

Does my child work up to his/her potential? How does my child approach test taking? What are some of the upcoming topics the students will be studying, and how might we support these units from home? Does my child understand the expectations of this classroom? Is my child turning homework in on time? Is there an action plan we can develop to keep improving my child's progression? How does my child interact with you? How does my child interact with other children?

How do you administer discipline? Does my child finish tasks? Does my child follow instructions properly? Does my child share with others? Is she/ he able to keep up to awarded deadlines? What skills and tasks should my child master? Who are my child's friends? What reflections can you make about our child's growth as a learner and citizen this year? What is your educational philosophy? How are you assisting our child to become a self-directed learner? How do you use technology as a tool to leverage learning in the classroom?

What online resources have you created for your class? How do you assist students to learn about digital citizenship? What observations can you offer about our child's happiness at school? How is my child doing socially? Does takes initiatives/leadership in school activities? Does my child's work show creativity and original thinking? Do you have any recommendations? Do you feel my child needs any extra help in school with anything? Is my child organized?

Is my child assigned any classroom responsibilities? Or any Assembly or House activities? Do you have any class policies I should know about? How do you prefer we communicate on any issues?

WHAT TO AVOID: Do not ask questions that may widen any division among the teacher, child and parent. Purpose of PTM is to create a personalized plan, some priorities to help your child succeed and improve/grow.

QUESTIONS THAT TEACHERS
NEED TO ASK PARENTS.

Teachers appreciate it when parents are active and interested in their children. Too many parents just go in and do the head nod. It's not much of a meeting when only one person is doing all the talking. Parents know their child best. After all they were child's first teachers. They know their strengths, weaknesses, interests and career goals. They also have insight into how their child learns best. Such information can be highly useful for teachers.

Under such positive information sharing, parents and teachers work as a team and also help student do better at school. Questions could be about career/goals, things she/he does at home, what is her/his routine. Based on this information, teacher can make suggestions about what other things they could do to help their child.

Is there anything I need to know about your child that is important? Are there any health issues or learning concerns that teacher should be aware of? What is it that I could do to help your child be as successful as possible in my class? Does he have a sibling? How is his/her relation with brothers and/or sisters?

Do parents supervise your child's homework? Does your child have a certain time set aside for homework each day? Does your child have a specific location to do homework away from the distractions of TV, computers, games, cell phones etc? Does your child have a homework buddy he/she can call to get homework or notification about upcoming quizzes or tests when he/she is absent from class?

Do you encourage your child to review his/her notes or practice answering questions from the textbook or other sources if he/she has no homework that day? Do you or do you have your child post school assignments due dates and test dates on a calendar placed in a prominent place? Do you check your child's agenda to see that he/she has entered assignment due dates and quiz and test dates?

Does your child have friends in neighborhood? Does your child have a regular bedtime? Does your child seem well rested in the morning? Does your child have a TV, computer or games in his or her bedroom? Is your child involved in extracurricular activities outside school? If so, what are the activities and how frequently does your child participate?

Do you discuss current affairs and news with your child? Do you encourage your child to read any magazines or newspaper? Always ask for parents phone numbers and when is the best time to call if you/teacher need to talk about their children.