Lesson Plan
Family Communication Toolkit
Teachers will learn to create and launch a weekly classroom newsletter and digital portal to keep families informed about 1st grade learning goals and student progress, practicing template use and portal setup.
Consistent, transparent communication strengthens home–school partnerships, boosts family engagement, and supports student achievement by keeping parents informed and involved.
Audience
1st Grade Teachers
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Hands-on practice with templates and guided portal setup
Materials
- Newsletter Template Walkthrough, - Weekly Update Template, - Digital Portal Setup Guide, and - Computers or tablets with internet access
Prep
Review and Setup
15 minutes
- Review the Newsletter Template Walkthrough
- Review the Weekly Update Template
- Review the Digital Portal Setup Guide
- Ensure devices are charged and connected to the internet
- Create teacher accounts on the chosen portal platform
Step 1
Introduction & Objectives
5 minutes
- Share lesson objectives and emphasize the value of family engagement
- Show real-world examples of effective classroom newsletters
- Navigate through key features of the Newsletter Template Walkthrough slide deck
Step 2
Guided Newsletter Drafting
10 minutes
- Model filling out one section of the Weekly Update Template
- Teachers draft a short classroom news blurb or student highlight
- Pair up to exchange drafts and offer constructive feedback
Step 3
Portal Setup Practice
10 minutes
- Follow steps in the Digital Portal Setup Guide to configure your classroom page
- Teachers log in, customize their page header, and create a “Weekly News” section
- Upload or link your draft newsletter into the portal environment
Step 4
Share, Reflect & Next Steps
5 minutes
- In small groups, present your portal page and newsletter draft
- Discuss any setup challenges and brainstorm solutions
- Collectively plan the schedule for weekly newsletter distribution and portal updates
use Lenny to create lessons.
No credit card needed
Slide Deck
Newsletter Template Walkthrough
A step-by-step guide to customizing and using your classroom newsletter template to keep families informed and engaged.
Welcome educators! Introduce the purpose of this walkthrough: to customize and launch your weekly newsletter to families. Encourage questions as you go.
1. Template Overview
• Header with school logo, newsletter title, and date
• Weekly Learning Goals section
• Student Highlights area
• Upcoming Events calendar
Point out the main components of the template — header, learning goals, highlights, and upcoming events. Stress consistency in structure.
2. Customizing the Header
• Click on the header placeholder to edit the newsletter title and date
• Use the “Insert Image” button to add your school logo or class photo
• Adjust font size and alignment for readability
Demonstrate live how to replace placeholder text and images. Show where to upload your school logo or class mascot.
3. Editing the Learning Goals
• Select the “Learning Goals” text box and replace sample text with this week’s objectives
• Use bullet points for each subject (Reading, Math, Science)
• Keep descriptions short and jargon-free
Emphasize clarity and brevity when writing goals. Suggest using bullet points and grade-level language.
4. Adding Student Highlights
• Choose a student photo or icon and insert into the highlight frame
• Write a 1–2 sentence blurb about progress or accomplishments
• Rotate featured students weekly to involve all families
Encourage teachers to highlight one or two students each week to showcase diverse achievements. Remind about privacy permissions.
5. Formatting & Design Tips
• Stick to 2–3 complementary colors (background, accents, text)
• Use one header font and one body font for clarity
• Align text and images neatly — use guides or gridlines
Review color choices and font pairs. Encourage using your school’s color palette for brand consistency.
6. Exporting & Sharing
• File → Export → PDF for emailing or printing
• Upload the PDF to your digital portal under “Weekly News”
• Copy the shareable link and include in parent emails or messaging apps
Walk through export options. Highlight how to save as PDF and attach to emails or upload to your portal.
7. Next Steps & Support
• Practice customizing one issue before next session
• Review the Digital Portal Setup Guide for portal integration
• Bring questions or examples to our next meeting
Invite teachers to explore the template on their own. Remind them about the Digital Portal Setup Guide and next week’s reflection activity.
Worksheet
Weekly Update Template
1. Weekly Learning Goals
What are this week’s key learning objectives for Reading, Math, Science, and other subjects?
2. Student Highlights
Share a brief blurb (1–2 sentences) about a student’s progress, achievement, or classroom moment you’d like families to celebrate.
3. Reminders & Upcoming Events
List any important dates, classroom reminders, or upcoming events families should know about.
4. Teacher Reflection
Reflect on how communication went this week. Did you receive any family feedback? What went well, and what will you try next time?
Use this template each week to keep families informed, engaged, and connected to our classroom community!
Project Guide
Bringing School Home: Digital Portal Setup Guide
Objective
Teachers will set up and customize a digital classroom portal and learn to post weekly newsletters and updates to keep families informed and engaged.
Audience & Time
• Audience: 1st Grade Teachers
• Estimated Time: 15 minutes
Materials
- Computer or tablet with internet access
- Teacher portal account credentials
- Weekly Update Template
- Newsletter Template Walkthrough
Instructions
-
Step 1: Log In to Your Portal
- Open your web browser and navigate to your school’s portal URL
- Enter your teacher username and password and click Log In
- If you encounter login issues, contact IT or use the “Forgot Password” link
-
Step 2: Access Classroom Page
- From the dashboard, click My Classes or Classroom Pages
- Select your 1st Grade class from the list
- Confirm you’re on the Overview or Home tab of your classroom page
-
Step 3: Customize Your Portal Layout
- Click Settings or Edit Page to switch into edit mode
- Upload a header image or class logo in the Header section
- Rearrange modules (e.g., “Welcome,” “Weekly News,” “Resources”) by dragging into your preferred order
- Click Save or Apply to confirm changes
-
Step 4: Create a Weekly News Section
- In edit mode, select Add Section → Text/Media (or News)
- Title the section Weekly News
- Use the Weekly Update Template to draft your news; copy and paste it into the section editor
- Format headings, bullet points, and hyperlinks for clarity
-
Step 5: Upload or Embed Your Newsletter
- Export your completed newsletter as a PDF following the Newsletter Template Walkthrough
- In the Weekly News section, click Attach File or Embed Document
- Select your PDF and confirm upload
- (Optional) Copy the shareable link and paste it into a text block for easy email distribution
-
Step 6: Publish and Notify Families
- Preview your page to ensure proper formatting
- Click Publish or Save and Publish to make your updates live
- Use the portal’s Notification feature or your school’s messaging tool to send an announcement with a link to families
Troubleshooting & Tips
- Ensure images are under 2 MB and in .PNG or .JPG format if uploads fail
- Keep section titles consistent each week for parent familiarity
- Schedule a weekly reminder (e.g., every Friday afternoon) for portal updates
- Consult your school’s IT guide or helpdesk for platform-specific questions
Use this guide each week to keep your digital portal fresh, informative, and a key bridge between home and school.