I am going to share with you my most brilliant conference hack. Here you go.
The week before conferences, tell your class they can earn a special party if they are extra good until whatever the day before conferences are. You really have to sell this part! Now, what party are they earning you ask? A pajama read-a-thon party!
Now when your class wins that party, they have to earn the party, you get to wear pajamas too! That is always a win. Also, schedule the last hour or so of the day as a read-a-thon party. Give them a small snack, let them get comfy and then they read. The whole time. What are you doing while they are reading? Getting ready and organized for conferences the next day. It is a real win win.
There it is. The best conference hack I have thought of.
You’re welcome!
Confessions of a Real Teacher 
This is a good suggestion! I hadn’t thought of doing something like that. Thanks for the idea.
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That is a great idea! And what’s more fun that PJs and a book?! Thanks for the great idea.
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Great idea! My kids would really buy into that! Thanks!
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What a great plan! Reduce your stress, relax the students and also still have them be productive!!! 🙂
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I love this idea! I do conferences 4 days straight from 3-6 with a few empty slots. I may do an afternoon read-a-thon!!
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Love connecting reading as a “party.” We have never given up our non-negotiable 15 minutes of reading each day…my students would probably be all over this! Our conferences were cancelled due to a Nor’Easter that blew in…oh well! Maybe next year!
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We’ve done this before and the kiddos loved it. I might have to break it up with some read aloud time and maybe a book project or research of choice. Thanks!
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