Reaching Out : A K-8 Resource for Connecting Families and Schools

by Diane W. Kyle

• ISBN13: 9780761945079
• ISBN10: 0761945075
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2002-09-01
• Publisher: Sage Pubns

Summary

"The timing for Reaching Out could not have been better. Just when educators are beginning to realize that teachers need training in how to work with parents, Kyle, McIntyre, Miller, and Moore bring us a book that is a welcome breath of fresh air." a??Patricia A. Edwards, Professor of Language and Literacy Michigan State University " Reaching Out describes a great variety of ways to respectfully and productively engage families in helping their children learn and grow. Throughout the text the reader is reminded that parents are experts about their children and that trusting relationships are built on respectful, two-way communications. The authors also remind us that the goal of family involvement is not parent participation at school events and activities but improved student achievement.a?? a??Steve McCafferty, Principal Mildred Dean School, Newport, KY Involve families in the education process and enhance your studentsa?? learning experience! Too often, todaya??s student feels alienated from school, and learning suffers as a result. Developing a relationship with the family can provide the missing link in the educational chain. Reaching Out is an invaluable resource for compassionate educators interested in building strong relationships with their studentsa?? families. A dynamic team of teachers and teacher educators have combined their first-hand experience and in-depth research in this essential guidebook. By involving the entire family in the educational experience, teachers can bridge the gap separating home and school and help produce happier, healthier, and smarter kids. Highlights include: Building trust with families Communicating in positive ways with studentsa?? families Implementing family workshops Involving families through innovative homework ideas Based on a five-year study, the information will be particularly helpful for teachers whose classrooms reflect a diverse student population. By incorporating these concepts and techniques, you not only enhance the learning experience you also help your students to be more compassionate and excited about school.

Table of Contents

Foreword	viii
Roland G. Tharp
Preface	x
Acknowledgments	xii
About the Authors	xv
Connecting With Families	1	(8)
Connecting Families and Schools: A Vital Goal	2	(1)
Improving Student Achievement	3	(2)
Celebrating Differences: Seeing Through Families' Eyes	5	(2)
Why We Care	7	(2)
Building Trusting Relationships	9	(14)
Examining Our Assumptions	9	(1)
Teachers Are People, Too	10	(1)
Sharing Struggles	11	(1)
See and Be Seen	12	(3)
Parents Are People, Too	15	(1)
How Does Trust Develop?	15	(1)
No Deaf Ears: Dealing With the Hard Stuff	16	(1)
Knowing Our Students	17	(2)
Parents and Guardians as Experts	19	(2)
Suggested Steps	21	(1)
Summary	21	(2)
Strategies for Enhancing Communication	23	(20)
Postcards	24	(1)
Newsletters	24	(3)
Take a Look: Photos and Videos	27	(1)
Suggestion-Response Box	27	(1)
Compliment Box	28	(1)
Homework Comment Sheets	28	(1)
Day Planners	28	(2)
The Agenda	30	(1)
Family Message Journals	31	(1)
Family Stories	32	(1)
Student-Led Conferences	33	(3)
Voice Mail	36	(1)
Phone Home	36	(1)
``How-Am-I-Doing?'' Surveys	37	(4)
Summary	41	(2)
Building Effective Partnerships Through Family Workshops	43	(18)
Being Welcoming and Aware	44	(1)
Clarifying Expectations	45	(1)
Themed Workshops	46	(8)
More Ideas for Family Workshops	54	(2)
Tips for Organizing Workshops Schoolwide	56	(1)
Funding a Family Workshop	57	(1)
Summary of Tips on Implementing Family Workshops	58	(1)
Summary	59	(2)
Reaching Out Through Family Visits	61	(16)
Building on Family/Community Literacy	62	(2)
What Else We Learned	64	(2)
What Families Learn From Us	66	(1)
Family Appreciation	67	(1)
Issues in Doing Family Visits	67	(3)
Doing Family Visits: First Steps and Beyond	70	(6)
Summary	76	(1)
Modifying Instructional Practices to Increase Family Involvement	77	(12)
The Limits of Traditional Instruction	78	(1)
Contextualized Instruction	79	(7)
Understanding Teaching and Learning	86	(1)
Possible Steps to Take	87	(1)
Summary	88	(1)
Involving Families in Homework	89	(16)
Managing and Monitoring Homework	89	(2)
Teachers Doing Homework	91	(1)
Family Involvement in Homework: Creative Alternatives	91	(12)
Tips for Principals: How to Implement Family-Connected Homework Schoolwide	103	(1)
Summary Tips for Family-Connected Homework	103	(1)
Summary	104	(1)
Conclusion	105	(2)
Resource A: Books of Interest to Elementary Students and Their Families	107	(8)
Resource B: Books of Interest to Middle School Students and Their Families	115	(5)
References	120	(4)
Index	124