As long as I can prove to a parent that I know their kids, that I know their writing pros and cons, how I got there doesn't prove to be a difficulty. Besides, so many of my techniques have to do with the students' ownership of their own learning, which many parents recognize as a means to an end to prepare them for high school and beyond. If you pitch these strategies as ways to focus the students, and keep their reflections and feedback notes as evidence of your effort and theirs, I don't find push-back to be too much of an issue. Many parents really appreciate that I try to push their students and challenge them to prepare them for possibilities beyond middle school, and I think you can make an argument that many of these strategies do just that.
To be honest, the only parents I find that do push back tend not to know their own student's challenges or have a real philosophical issue with teachers being innovative with their curriculum. Those parents tend to be those who want their students to be taught as they were, but as we know, education has to evolve. Just be honest with them about why these strategies work, and make sure your own ducks are in a row regarding your knowledge about their kid.
Good luck, and just be honest with the why. Be frank with parents and students (they deserve the effort) about why you are doing these things, and you'll find less push-back.
Thanks for your comment and question!
-Heather Wolpert-Gawron
