![\"#ready2launch](\"https:\/\/tiie.w3.uvm.edu\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/09\/student_led_open_houses.jpg\")
<\/a>You\u2019ve heard of student-led conferences, but how about a Student-Led Open House? An idea so strange it just might work.<\/em><\/p>\nWhen we partner with young adolescents, we give them voice and choice. We know that is one of the best practices of middle level education. In theory, schools and teachers engage in this throughout the school experience. But let\u2019s face it, sometimes giving up control can feel a little intimidating. Let’s look at 3 easy ways to move towards a student-led open house<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
1. Students do actually lead the Open House<\/h2>\n
Just go for it. Try asking your students to run your Parent Open House (or Family Night or whatever incarnation your school selects) and see how they respond. The best way for them to understand the systems and structures at their middle school is for them to teach others — like their own families.<\/p>\n This takes some planning, but you can do it! Brainstorm with your students:<\/p>\n Assign students group roles and responsibilities. Set deadlines for check-ins. Divide and conquer. Boom!<\/p>\n If the idea of turning over the entire open house to students is a bit of a stretch at the current moment, try letting students take a more direct leadership role with just their own parents.<\/p>\n In this case, let students give their families a guided tour of predetermined information. You, as the educator, may still choose to disseminate some material to the whole group, but then you can hand the reins over to your students for the rest. Float around and see how the interactions are going. Watch your students show off the school and their excitement for the new year!<\/p>\n First, the teacher has the students make the scavenger hunt for their parents. Ask them questions like, \u201cWhat\u2019s important to know about our classroom?\u201d and \u201cWhat should they be able to locate here in school?\u201d Middle schoolers in particular will have have a blast creating the hunt.<\/p>\n![](\"http:\/\/tiie.w3.uvm.edu\/staff\/wp-content\/uploads\/student-presentation-300x200.jpg\")
\n
2. Students serve as Open House guides<\/h2>\n
3. Change begins with just one step: the Student-Led Scavenger Hunt<\/h2>\n
Engage kids and families with either a low-tech or high-tech scavenger hunt<\/h3>\n
For a high tech option, use a free app like Goose Chase<\/a><\/h3>\n
![\"YouTube](\"https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/lhsYpP8KXqA\/maxresdefault.jpg\")