Classroom Communication Teaching Resources
Explore classroom communication tools for teachers perfect for communicating with parents and students this school year.
This collection of teacher-created tools was built by the teachers of Teach Starter to help boost verbal and non-verbal communication in your classroom this year so you can build strong relationships with your students and their parents.
A crucial part of being a good teacher is being a good communicator, and we've built tools that can help you be just that. Even better? This collection is stocked with tools that will also help you teach your students to be more effective communicators.
Why Classroom Communication Matters
You likely already know that a teacher's communication in the classroom is linked with student outcomes, but just how much does it matter? A lot!
Education researchers have evaluated what happens when teachers are specifically trained in classroom communication, and the results are significant. Not only do teachers spend less time on discipline and more time actually engaging their students, but the students' behavior mirrors that of their teacher.
Meanwhile, other studies have shown that a teacher's communication skills are just as important as their knowledge base regarding their effectiveness as educators, and even how we communicate with parents can boost student success.
So, what does good classroom communication look like? Both verbal and non-verbal communication, as well as written communication, play heavily here.
Read on as we break down each.
What Non-Verbal Communication in the Classroom Looks Like
When we talk about non-verbal communication, we tend to talk about things like body language and facial expressions. Everything from how we gesture to how our faces change when someone says something falls under non-verbal communication in the real world and, of course, in the classroom.
In the classroom setting, however, non-verbal communication is particularly important to create a safe environment for our students.
A warm smile on your face when a student enters the room is a non-verbal cue that lets them know you welcome them to the space. Similarly, when we turn our bodies toward a student who is speaking and give them our full attention, we show them we value what they have to say.
These behaviors also play into our important role as role models for our students who are still learning social norms and how to be good communicators.
Non-verbal communication in the classroom can also take the form of the visual media we provide to help our students learn, including learning aids like:
- Anchor charts
- Bulletin boards
- Posters
- Maps
This type of non-verbal classroom communication helps our students learn through the help of visual representation, and they can help supplement our verbal communication.
What Does Verbal Communication Look Like in a Classroom?
Of course, that brings us to verbal communication in a classroom. Again, there are direct ties to verbal communication as we describe it in a broader context.
Verbal communication can refer to the direct instruction that's core to teaching, but it also refers to things like the greetings we give children when they enter our rooms and the one-on-one conversations we have with our students.
Of course, these all help us build relationships with our students and serve as a means of providing students with information.
Being good verbal communicators isn't just being able to impart information to or chat with students. It's being able to:
- Appropriately engage the audience
- Transmit information in clear and understandable ways
- Speak in a tone that's appropriately assertive — not intimidating or abrupt but also calm and loud enough to be heard
It's a lot for teachers to juggle; we know! It's why we've created so many tools to help!
- Free Plan
I Wish My Teacher Knew Activity Sheet
Add an ‘I Wish My Teacher Knew’ activity to your first-day plans to learn more about your new students.
- Plus Plan
Valentine's Day Bookmarks
Gift your students their own Valentine's Day bookmark (set of 4).
- Free Plan
Mini Classroom Mailbox Template
Use this mini classroom mailbox template in a variety of ways.
- Free Plan
All About Me Bag Ideas & Tag Template
Get to know your students a bit better by having them create ‘All About Me’ Bags!
- Free Plan
Free School Newsletter Template - Weekly Snapshot
Communicate important information happening in your classroom with this free school newsletter template.
- Free Plan
Student Progress Report Parent Letter Templates
Track academic and behavioral data with this set of progress report templates.
- Plus Plan
Our Class is a Family Activity Flipbook
Start building a classroom community from day one with a printable ‘Our Class is a Family’ flipbook.
- Free Plan
Morning Greetings Display
Greet each student at the door in style with this set of 4 greetings posters.
- Plus Plan
A Letter to My Teacher Activity Sheets
Get to know your students a bit better using a ‘Letter to Teacher’ template.
- Plus Plan
Would You Rather? Parent Teacher Meeting Game
Engage students and parents in a fun game of Would You Rather? to spice up your open house for school.
- Free Plan
Happy Note Home
Communicate positive messages to parents and guardians with a Happy Note Home letter template.
- Plus Plan
Grade Level Goal Grids (K-2)
Inform students and parents of their grade level goals with standards-based grade level goal grids for Kindergarten through 2nd grade.
- Free Plan
Student Interest Survey Pack
Use a Student Interest Survey to get to know your new students at the beginning of the school year.
- Plus Plan
Back to School Student Survey - Primary Grades
Get to know your new students with an all about me survey.
- Free Plan
Back-to-School Self-Assessment Template
Get to know your students on the first day and learn their thoughts on school with a printable self assessment.
- Free Plan
Editable Parent Reminder Notes
Keep your parents informed with this set of 27 editable reminder notes.
- Plus Plan
Back to School – Parent Information Slide Templates
Plan out your parent information night or meet the teacher event with this set of 19 slides.
- Plus Plan
K-2 Math Homework Helpers
Give your students handy Math Homework Helper printables to reference when working in class or at home.
- Plus Plan
Anti-Bullying Coloring Sheets
Discourage bullying and promote kindness in the classroom with a set of printable Anti-Bullying Coloring Sheets.
- Plus Plan
Standards-Based Parent-Teacher Conference Form (K-2)
- Free Plan
Parent Teacher Conference Sign In Sheet Templates
Be prepared for conferences with a printable pack of parent teacher conference sign-in sheet templates.
- Plus Plan
Meet The Teacher Presentation Template
Introduce yourself and your classroom expectations to parents and students with a customizable Meet the Teacher Slideshow!
- Plus Plan
Meet The Teacher Station Signs - Editable
Organize your Meet the Teacher event by setting up classroom stations using our printable Back to School Station Signs.
- Free Plan
Printable 2024 Calendar with Holidays and School Events
Organize your event planning for the whole year with this handy 2024 calendar of school events.
- Plus Plan
Student Intervention - Weekly Form for Teachers
Update parents and guardians every week using this editable weekly student report template.
- Plus Plan
Brag Bracelets - Behavior Incentives
Encourage positive behavior and reward your students for their achievements with a fun set of printable brag bracelets.
- Plus Plan
Parent-Teacher Conference Documentation Form
Use this printable Teacher-Parent Conference Form to organize your parent-teacher conferences ahead of time and keep accurate and detailed records of parent communication.
- Free Plan
Helpful Homework Tips for Parents
Helpful tips to support students as they complete homework.
- Plus Plan
Four Squares of Learning - A Getting to Know You Worksheet
Learn your students' expectations for the new school year with this first week of school activity.
- Plus Plan
Learning Preference Worksheet
Learn your new students' likes and dislikes with this learning preference sheet.
- Plus Plan
Weekly Progress Report Template
Use a printable weekly progress report template to keep parents up-to-date on their student's behavior and work habits.
- Plus Plan
Parent-Teacher Conference Planning Templates
Print a teacher planning template for parent teacher conferences that will keep you on top of things!