Parents evening - I always clam up and feel like I'm back at school, please give me some ideas for questions

[sandyballs]

I know this has been done recently but can't find it.

My DDs are in Year 1, separate classes. One teacher is lovely, one is a dragon, very unapproachable. Last year at parents evening she wanted me to do all the talking. "How do YOU think she is getting on", kind of stuff.

Ideas for questions much appreciated please.

I know what you mean sandyballs about feeling that you're the pupil.
I think sitting on those tiny school chairs makes you feel comically ill at ease.
I would ask " Are there any areas that are cause for concern?"
If dds are doing fine I wouldn't bother with questions imo.

Ask if she's happy, settled and enjoying herself. These are important.

You can also ask if her her achievement is matching her ability i.e is she doing her best/reaching her potential. You may want to ask if she's achieving at a level expected for her age (if that worries you/matters to you)

HTH

Oh and ask to see examples of all her work. It may be that she's not academic but has done some beautiful art work this year.

Agood teacher will always mention to a parent at least one good individual piece/project that a child has worked on. It shows you know the kids and they (kids) love it that their teacher has remembered their effort.

If a teacher asks: "How do you think she is getting on?" it often means that she doesn't have an awful lot to say about your child!

Don't let her off the hook - say, 'well, she's happy (or not), but I'd like to know about her academic achievement.'

Other questions:
'Is there anything we could do at home to help her?'
'Which are her strongest subject areas?'

Also, parents' evenings are an occasion to talk about things that may be happening at home / in the family that you think may have an effect on dd's performance.

Thanks, some good suggestions here. I agree those chairs do make me feel ill at ease .