Behavior note home template v0.1.0
A note about 's day
Something that went well:
- Worked hard on
- Was kind to a classmate
- Followed the routines
- Tried something new
Something that was hard today:
- Staying in seat during work time
- Waiting for a turn to talk
- Keeping hands to self
- Finishing work
What happened:
What we did about it:
At home you could:
I have read this note about .
A note back (optional):
A short note home about a child's day, with room for what went well as well as what was hard. Tick what happened, add a line, and ask the family to sign and send it back. The blank prints two to a page; the filled example shows a fair, specific note that starts with something good.
A filled example
The same behavior note home with every blank filled in, so you can see how it reads. The names, school and details are invented.
A note about Sam's day
Something that went well:
- Worked hard on the math page and finished it
- Was kind to a classmate
- Followed the routines
- Tried something new
Something that was hard today:
- Staying in seat during work time
- Waiting for a turn to talk
- Keeping hands to self
- Finishing work
What happened: During reading group Sam called out answers several times before others had a turn.
What we did about it: We agreed on a signal: a thumbs-up on the table when Sam has an answer, and I'll call on Sam once each group.
At home you could: Ask Sam about the thumbs-up signal and how it went tomorrow.
I have read this note about Sam.
A note back (optional): Thank you. We'll talk about it tonight.
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How to use it
- Print the blank (one note to a page, or two to save paper) and keep a few in your desk.
- Start with something that went well, then the one thing that was hard, said as what happened, not as what the child is.
- Say what you did about it and one thing the family could do, and ask for the slip back signed.
Ideas for class
- Lead with something that went well, even on a hard day. A family reads the rest more openly.
- Name one hard thing, not four. Pick the one you most want to change.
- Describe what happened, not the child: 'called out answers' rather than 'disruptive'.
- Say what you have already done, so the family knows it is handled.
- Give one small thing to try at home, or none; never a punishment.
- Send good-news notes too, with only the top half filled in.
- Keep a copy, and file the signed slip in your communication log.
Related
Questions
How do I write a note home about behavior?
Start with something that went well, then describe one hard moment as what happened, not what the child is. Say what you did about it and one thing the family could try, and ask them to sign so you know it arrived.
Should a behavior note be negative?
No. The best notes home are mostly positive and specific. Many teachers send a good-news note first, so the first note a family gets is never a problem.
Should I send it home with the child or by email?
Either works; follow your school's practice. Paper with a signed slip tells you it arrived. Email is faster and easier to keep a record of.
Is it all right to keep copies?
Yes, and it helps: a copy, or the signed slip, filed in your parent communication log shows what was said and when. Keep it with your other student records, not on the wall.
Nothing on this page is saved or sent. Print it, or copy the words into your own document. What each tool stores