Research shows that despite any problems parents may have, they still know their children better than anyone else and can be vitally important school partners if they are allowed to be. Rather than identifying deficits and dysfunctions in a family, a more effective method would focus on strengths and build on the inherent resilience of the community. Anne Bouie, a parent involvement expert with decades of experience states "The answer is to stop treating parents like 'clients' and start treating them like partners in the task of helping children learn.
She says that when we view parents as clients, we expect them to respect us, listen carefully to us, answer the questions we ask them, respect our expertise and follow our advice. When we see parents as partners, we listen to each other, share ideas and respect each other's unique experience and expertise; we develop plans together and stay in touch as we carry them out. Partners do not diminish themselves by working together. They reinforce one another and create synergy from their different strengths.
Despite the way parents sometimes appear on the surface, the huge majority love their children, want the very best education for them and are worthy partners to work with educators. Most parents are doing the best they know how to obtain this. Between birth and high school graduation, only about 15% of a child's life is spent learning at school, the rest of the time is somewhere else, primarily at home with their parents.
At LES, we are doing everything we can think of to help parents at home with their children. If you have other ideas/ways to help parents, please share. Summer is coming. Mrs. Woodruff always offers a library day so that we can keep kids reading with their parents. What are some other summer activities to keep our parents as partners in learning with their child that we could offer to make June and July a time to keep learning productive?
Monday, February 3, 2014
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I know of a school that provides students with writing journals for the summer. There are 2 - 3 topics for each week. Students bring these back on the first day of school for a prize.
As educators, we learn very early that we must work very closely with our student's parents to ensure a quality educational experience for the child. At the beginning, we learn a lot from the parents. As we get to know our students, there are some issues that we can share with the parents to bridge the gap between school and home.
As for summer time ideas, I have even thought of maybe an activity day for our students to attend for June and July. They could meet the teachers of the upcoming grade. An activity or craft could be planned and the teachers could meet and greet these students in an informal setting. Just a thought!
Mrs. Haney said...
I like Mrs. Graham's idea! I also think that I would like to offer several "back-to-school" nights throughout the year, so that parents and teachers can catch-up on progress & changes.
I make it a priority to contact my parents frequently. Many of them even have my cell phone number. I try to keep in contact as much as possible so the students know we are a team.
During the summer I would like to have a class orientation instead of a grade level. I think it is more personable and allows the parents to feel more comfortable to ask questions.
Monique Chatman said...I like the idea of "back-to-school nights throughout the school year ( at least one per grading period). I try to approach parents as equals. I don't pretend to know it all. As a matter of fact I usually ask parents, " How can I help you help your child?" During the summer, it would be nice to offer meaningful workshops to parents. For example, Common CORE 101 or How to create an after school schedule for your child.
I think its very important to work closely with paretns through out the school year. I keep in touch with my parents through text, emails and communication notebooks. I like Mrs. Tigues idea about haveing a summer "class orientation" instead of grade level.
I like mrs. Tigues idea about "class orientation". I think parents would feel more comfortable in a smaller setting. In the past, we have sent high frequency words home with students to review for first grade. I think a list of review items would be beneficial.
Each month we send home a one page calendar that has a short math activity for parents to do with their child. We might could send home a calendar for June and July that would have an activity for Reading/Writing and Math for each day of the week. It could just be something short and simple, but would be a great way to keep them involved over the summer instead of not doing anything at all.
I think a Math and Reading calendar is a great idea. I use those now for Math homework, and I have gotten positive feedback from parents because of the flexibility.
It is very important to stay in contact with your parents. I use text messages, email, and communication notebooks to stay in contact with my parents. I also agree with Mrs. Tigue's idea about having a classroom orientation each summer.
It is vital to have a partnership with parents in your classroom. I believe that the parent orientation that Mrs. Tigue spoke about is a great idea to create a positive atmosphere with parents for the coming school year.
I think it's very important to maintain & establish partnerships with parents. I like the idea of a class orientation and back-to-school night. I also think that Math & Reading workshops are very informative to parents... We already do those.
I like Tiffany's idea of the class orientation. Parents might be more comfortable if they're in a small setting. This would also provide teachers with the opportunity to discuss expectations for the new school year.
I like the idea of sending home a June and July calendar with activities for children to do with their parents at home. Or a packet of information as we did last year for parents to prepare for the next grade.
I really like Mrs. Tigue's idea of having a classroom orientation. When postcards go out during the summer, it would be a good idea to add a page listing things that children need to know before school begins. That way they can practice things to get ahead of the game. Also, I know it is a very "old school" assignment, but I always loved getting a summer reading list. A teacher could also give out personalized summer reading list (i.e. "Because your child enjoyed reading _____ in my class, here is a list of books I think he would love to read this summer").
This question asks about what to do in June and July; I will address those months first and last with a slight rabbit trail in-between.
I know that one of the least effective things my children have ever done during the summer is "Summer Reading!" This is usually from a list of books that my children have no interest in but have been chosen by someone with a warped sense of literature. (okay, I'm just kidding about the warped part....I'm not kidding about the ineffectiveness) So as not to rant about my summers trying to force-feed a book to a child, I digress. Required summer work has often seemed burdensome in my home. However, activities and projects that we, as a family, have initiated seem to be much more enjoyable and often times much more productive.
I think it might be beneficial for the grade that the students will be entering to come up with some packet of work or suggested items that will be important to solidify needed skills for the upcoming year. Kind of a "this-is-what-is-expected" list of things. I know that this would NOT be popular! Many parents want to enjoy their summers and expect the same for their children. I think most parents who put an emphasis on education are proactive and purchase these type of items for their child to work on over the summer break.
PTA/Back-to-School Nights
I find that most of my parents that attend PTA nights or open house are those that already have children that are successful. Often times the student's parents that I really need to speak with won't show up...even if given an incentive.
So that I don't sound like I am only complaining and not looking for a solution....
What if there were a night at the end of the school year, possibly the last open house, that parents could meet with the grade-level teachers for the upcoming year for a meeting explaining what will be addressed the next year and help the parents come up with a plan that they can use for the summer. If THEY don't own it, THEY won't do it!
The only thing worse than being a kid who has summer "homework," is be a parent of that kid during the last two weeks of summer vacation.
We have some wonderful teachers here at LES! I love all of the activities you all have suggested! I especially love the writing, reading and math calendar idea. These activities will help the children's minds sharp! :)
In order to provide students with the best educational experiences possible, it is vital to establish rapport and a partnership-type relationship with parents at the beginning of the school year. After all, parents are the real "experts" when it comes to their own children. I agree with my colleagues' suggestions on providing Math and Reading calendars or packets for the children to do with their parents during the summer. Also, I feel that sending home a packet of information/expectations about their child's upcoming grade will help parents better prepare their child and themselves for the next grade.
Some other summer activities to keep our parents as partners in learning with their child that we could offer to make June and July a time to keep learning productive would be to provide parents with a list of local and statewide learning sites. Parents could visit these sites with their children for "hands on learning" and "quality family time". The list might include places like Noccalula Falls, the Pioneer Village, the McWane Center, the Birmingham Zoo, the Anniston Museum of Natural History, and many more. The list could also include hours of operation and directions to these sites. This list would encourage parents to provide educational summer activities for their whole family.
I agree with Kathy! It is so important to have a positive relationship with parents. I also agree with Mrs. Whatley. Providing parents with a list of sites and places that are productive for education and promote quality family time is a great way to improve e summer of students.
Mrs. Folsom
I think the idea of a math/reading calendar to send home for June and July. I also think posting on MOODLE during the summer some activities for previous students to work on at home would be a good idea.
I agree with Mrs. Adams. We have some wonderful teachers here at LES! I love the idea of giving them a list of places to attend with parents during the summer. This gives parents ideas of family time activities. I especially love the writing, reading and math calendar idea. These activities will not only sharpen the mind but also sharpen the saw! :)
There are some fantastic ideas. In addition to Marilyn's suggestion, I think having an LES Day at some of these sites would be fun. Students, parents and teachers could be invited. I would enjoy spending a day of fun with our students.
I think it would be great to make parents aware of places they could take their children in the summer. This could include camps such as Art Camp in Talladega sponsored by Heritage Hall, McWane Center special events, or Space Camp in Huntsville. Some of them may take advantage of opportunities if they are aware of them. This could be fun for the entire family and a learning time as well!
I like Laurie's idea of having some sort of incentive at the end of the summer for a completed task.
I used to work at Vestavia Library, and I worked there during one of the summer reading programs. It was such a huge success because there were "prizes" associated with numbers of pages read, and number of books read, and it didn't always have to be read by the child, the parents reading to the children counted towards their total number of pages!
When kids get the added incentive of getting a "prize" even if it's a little dollar tree toy or something for each mile-stone that is reached in something like a reading goal, it makes the process more appealing! It also gives the kids the opportunity to choose the books that they are interested in reading and really want to read.
I agree with Billy that it's not always very successful to "force" a child to read from a predetermined list of books. But get a kid hooked on a particular book or series of books, and you are creating a life-long book lover!
In terms of getting parents involved in a partnership with the teachers, I love the idea of making parents aware of the fun things we have around our state -- some free and some that cost money. But all are valuable educational tools! The Birmingham Museum of Art is just one example of an amazing resource we have in our state, and it's free!
I agree with the idea of a class orientation. I also like the thoughts of sending home a "summer learning packet" with students for suggestions on reading, camps, apps, places to visit, or math/reading calendars. Not busy work, but things to keep the students engaged and learning throughout the summer.
I agree with several of the other teachers about class orientation. I love all the ideas about sending home a summer packet...just as long as it is not busy work. I still think we need to keep in mind that "kids still need to be kids" and enjoy the freedom of summer.
I really like the idea of a class orientation. I think it would be much more beneficial than a grade level orientation.
I agree with Dana. I would like to have a class orientation in place of Meet the Teacher.
I think a classroom orientation in place of "Meet the Teacher" would be beneficial.
I also like the idea of having a classroom orientation instead of "Meet the Teacher"!
I think if we treat parents as partners it will help them realize the importance of their child's education.
I think if we treat parents as partners it will help them realize the importance of their child's education.
I like the idea of a Reading and Math calendar for the summer months. I LOVE the idea of having classroom orientations in place of a school-wide "Meet Your Teacher" night.
I agree with all of the teachers that mentioned students visiting many of the free or low cost centers and museums that our state has to offer during the summer months. Many are hands-on, and teach students about things that they may not experience in our community. I also feel that encouraging students to volunteer at local or nearby organizations is a great summer time opportunity. The local food pantry, the Pell City Animal Shelter, and many other volunteer-run places need the kind of help that our students can offer. Just think of the real-world experience that would give our students!
Allison Miles
In addition to all of the great suggestions above, I would also encourage parents to visit our public library. The library offers fun, free activities all summer. Books can also be checked out and read at home. I also like the math calendar idea. We could create something to offer suggestions for preparation of the next grade without overwhelming parents and students.
These are all great suggestions and ideas. As a parent, I would appreciate an additional support during the summer months that would keep my children learning. In the past, I have sent home a list of spelling words for students and posted activities on Spelling City for some of my students to do over the summer.
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