Teacher-Made Websites

Below are two websites that actual teachers created for their classrooms in order to promote home-school communication.

First Grade Classroom Website - This web site was created by a first grade teacher. The subjects identified on the site include information on the math and reading programs used at that school, as well as a standards link that indicates the grade level standards for reading/writing, math, science, and social studies. This site would be useful for parents to be aware of what is going on in their child’s classroom.

Three commendations:

1. Parents can read about the first grade curriculum so that they know what their children are learning.

2. Questions regarding grading and homework can be answered simply by reading about the policies.

3. The site can be easily navigated because it is simply created (legible font, minimum amount of graphics, and has an index of links). Parents as well students can easily utilize the information.

Three recommendations:

1. Include more student links that correspond to the curriculum for enrichment purposes so that the site becomes useful for students as well.

2. Keep the contents of the site updated. The newsletter is dated August 2005. Keeping the site updated adds credibility to your teaching.

3. Instead of providing links to the Everyday Math and Reading Counts programs, describe for the parents what these programs look like in their child’s classroom so that it is related to their needs and concerns.

http://www.ccswebs.org/geesaman1/index.htm

Second Grade Teacher Web Site – This web site was created by a second grade teacher. The site is intended for all academic subjects since it is an elementary class. This site would be useful for parents to keep up-to-date regarding students’ homework as well as what skills are being taught each week. Students would fine their classroom site useful as well because there are educational links for them.

Three commendations:

1. Highlights important events and dates for communication purposes.

2. Identifies the homework on a weekly basis so that parents always know what their children should be doing at home, no excuses.

3. Provides links for parents on tips to help their children in school as well as links for kids to explore so parents and students are involved in the learning process.

Three recommendations:

1. The site is very busy so make the background simpler, take away the graphic that follows the cursor, and provide an index to each link so it is easier to locate information. This will make the site more user-friendly.

2. Provide more information for parents such as class schedule and curriculum information. That way parents can visit the site for clarification any time of day.

3. Make the link with homework, skills, and news three separate links, and possibly think about not grouping the students into reading categories. Having specific areas will help with navigation.

http://www.geocities.com/margaret_danna_hunter/Hunter.html