Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
Mindful Engagement: Strategies & Tools to Strengthen Family Partnerships
Mindful Engagement: Strategies & Tools to Strengthen Family Partnerships is an online
professional development series created to support educators in identifying the essential
elements for establishing and sustaining partnerships with families. This professional
development consists of 10 modules addressing a variety of topics and is organized so that
participants have the flexibility to view modules in any order.
Each module includes:
webinar (approximately 30 minutes)
power point
listening guide with extension questions
strategies, tools, and resources
Before accessing a module:
You will need to test your computer compatibility with the Adobe Connect Software PRIOR to
launching the webinar. Depending on your computer capabilities, you may be prompted to install
additional add-ins so that you can watch the webinar. Use the link below to test your computer:
http://connect.lsu.edu/common/help/en/support/meeting_test.htm
Where to access the modules:
Visit http://www.laspdg.org/content.cfm?id=429 to watch the entire series
About LaSPDG
The Louisiana State Personnel Development Grant (LaSPDG) is a Louisiana Department of
Education grant (LDOE) funded by the Office of Special Education (OSEP) and executed by staff
at Louisiana State University (LSU). The purpose of the grant is to develop a system of
professional development and support based on state, district, and school needs to improve
outcomes for students with disabilities. The SPDG four focus areas relate to the use and
effectiveness of (1) Data Based Decision-Making, (2) Inclusive Practices, (3) Family Engagement,
and (4) Culturally Responsive Practices. For more information regarding the grant, please visit
www.laspdg.org
Mindful Engagement: Strategies & Tools to Strengthen Family Partnerships
Module #
Module Name Module Contents
Overview • Rationale & research for family engagement
1 Creating a Welcoming Environment
• The language and terminology • The physical environment • The personal attributes and attitudes
2 Recognizing Diversity • The community • The respectful communication • The classroom and online environment
3 Ongoing Communication • Ways to share information • Utilizing technology and social media • Establishing a communication plan
4 Preparing for Open House & Conferences
• Open House • Conferences -Parent Teacher -Student Led -Individualized Education Program (IEP)
5 Sharing Family Resources Information shared regarding: • Homework • Curriculum • Students with Disabilities • Family partners
6 Encouraging Involvement • Volunteering and participation opportunities • Parent-Teacher compacts
7 Acknowledging Family Concerns • Common types of families • Proactive strategies
8 Addressing Frequently Asked Questions
• Common questions asked by families • Strategies to address frequently asked
questions
9 Obtaining Feedback • Methods of obtaining feedback • Utilizing feedback results
10 Additional Resources • Family Engagement Resources & Tools
Module 1: Creating a Welcoming Environment
Define: Welcoming Environment
A welcoming classroom environment for family partnerships is one in which the _________________
environment and ____________________ conditions set the tone for positive feelings, interactions,
and __________________ between family members and school staff.
Why is it Important to Create a Welcoming Environment?
A welcoming environment:
• sets the tone for positive ______________________
• communicates ___________________ about the students and families served
• helps families feel ___________________ when visiting
How educators can help
• Begin using the term ______________rather than ________________ due to the changing
dynamics of caretakers (grandparents, aunts/uncles, friends, etc.)
• Focus on ____________________ rather than just _____________________
• Being _______________ about the importance of establishing relationships with families
• Being _______________ about your current efforts and CREATING A PLAN to strengthen the
connection with families
Parent Involvement vs. Family Engagement
• _______________ activities in schools (back-to-school night, etc.) in which the same group of
parents continually participates
• Equals ___________________ or a family member’s role in the operation of a school or
organization (PTO, etc.)
• Giving parents the ________________ and _________________to be an integral part of their
child’s learning PK-12
• Tying parents directly to a child’s __________________performance —____________ in
educating the child
• Not every parent needs us to help them be _________________—focus on the ones who do!
4 Types of Schools/Classrooms
1.
2.
3.
4.
Considerations of a welcoming classroom
• Physical Attributes in Classroom
-clean, organized, _____________
-signs/posters/bulletin boards reflect __________________ and ___________________
• Personal Attributes of Teacher
-personality
-________ contact
-finding a balance between _______________ and _________________
-facial expressions
Reflection Questions: After participating in Module 1, Creating a Welcoming Environment,
reflect personally on the following questions.
A. Which of the 4 types of schools best reflects the school you are teaching in? Why?
B. Which of the 4 types of schools best reflects your classroom? Why?
C. What are some actions that you can take to achieve a partnership school or partnership
classroom?
D. What are your goals to improve the physical attributes in your classroom?
E. What are your goals to improve your own personal attributes as a teacher?
Module 2: Recognizing Diversity
Define: Diversity
• Diversity in engaging families encompasses ______________ and ___________ means of
understanding each individual and each family as unique and accepting individual differences
Diversities to consider:
Why is diversity inclusion important?
• All cultures practice traditions that _____________ and _____________ their children and
prepare them for living in society
• It is important to become ______________ and _____________ of those values, beliefs,
customs and parenting styles
• It is imperative that we employ specific _____________________, __________________ and
__________________ that recognize and respect the uniqueness of individuals and groups
How well do you know your community?
• Teachers visit _____________ before school starts
• __________ __________ of community
• Participate in community events
Language Diversity
• Offer family resources in various ___________________
• Send home communication at a ___________________ reading level so that families can
understand clearly what is being communicated
• Avoid using ___________________ in your communication (i.e. SPED, NCLB, CCSS, etc.)
• Recognize and celebrate the _______________ of families and utilize their skills
Considerations when face to face with families
• Some cultures may not look you in the _____________ when speaking or being spoken to
• ______________ pronunciation is important
• Try to limit educational _______________ so that your message is clear
• Be considerate of all ___________________
Classroom Connections
• Is there diversity presented in the ______________ and in the __________________?
• Do your _______________ contents represent diverse backgrounds (posters, pictures)
• Be considerate of homes who may lack resources to complete _________________
• Field trips/events
Online Considerations
• Review the following websites to check for respectful inclusive language:
-Your ____________ website
-Your ____________ website
-Your ____________ website
Reflection Questions: After participating in Module 2, Recognizing Diversity, reflect
personally on the following questions.
A. Identify the types of diversity and populations within your own community/school.
B. In what ways can you share the message of the use of People First Language with
students and families with disabilities?
C. How do you accommodate for language diversity among your families when
communicating with them in writing, in person, through technology, etc.?
D. Identify steps that you can take to make your classroom environment more diversified.
E. After reviewing your district, school, and teacher websites, what specific steps need to be
taken to address the types of diversities discussed?
Module 3: Ongoing Communication
What is Communication?
When communicating messages about school programs and student progress, ensure that the
communication
• is _______ _________
• is multi-layered
• uses multiple ___________________
• connects schools, families, students and the community.
• is an _____________________ process
Strategies to Communicate with Families
• Be ________________
• Choose your _____________ carefully
• Develop ___________
• Assure parents that you will make _______________ if a concern arises
• Make frequent ______________ contact
Sharing Opportunities
• Letters
• ____________ Messaging System
• Personal Phone Calls
• Signs, _____________ ____________
• Sporting Events
• Be considerate of _____________ Tech, _____________ Tech, __________ Tech
• Websites, texts, social media
How often?
• Send really important information home _________ or more different ways
• The more reminders, the better!
What to share?
• ______________ Programs & Progress
• Due dates for testing, ______________, grades, events, ________________
• Photos & videos (always ensure ___________ is completed and follow school/district policies)
What do your families have access to?
• Find out ________________ assessment of families at the beginning of the year-what do they
have access to?
• Then you can tailor your _____________ and _____________ according to what the majority
of your families can access
10 Realities of Social Media
1. Social media is a new way to build ________________
2. Communication is no longer about you; it’s about your ________________
3. If you don’t tell your _____________, someone else will.
4. Your reputation is at stake
5. The response will most likely be _____________
6. You don’t have to do it all at once
7. Social media gives you the chance to stay ahead of the _____________
8. It’s here to stay
9. Social media helps you build community and a sense of _______________
10. It takes a whole village
Know your purpose of sharing
• Match ______________ of communication with the ____________ of communication
• Stay on topic
• Make a plan
*__________________________
*_______________
*_______________ (electronic, paper/pencil, verbal)
• Revisit and follow up with the plan to ensure _____________
Remember to document your communication efforts
• Date
• ____________
• Person Contacted
• Content Discussed
• Keep copies of _______________
• Next Steps/Follow Up
Reflection Questions: After participating in Module 3, Ongoing Communication, reflect
personally on the following questions.
A. Identify and describe the ways you communicate with families in written form. How often?
B. Identify and describe the ways you communicate with families electronically (email, social
media, text, etc). How often?
C. List some ways that you can strengthen your communication efforts with your families:
a. written
b. electronically
c. verbally
D. What additional topics can you address with your families that would be beneficial for
them?
E. How are you documenting your communication efforts with families and how can you
improve your system?
Module 4: Preparing for Open House & Conferences
Principles when inviting families to school activities
• __est intentions assumed
• __mphasis on learning
• __ome–school collaboration
• __xamples and evidence
• __ctive listening
• __espect for all
• __edication to follow-up
Open House
• Open House is an opportunity for families:
- to have a brief time to get ______________ with the teacher(s)
-to see the classroom
- get a quick overview of class ______________ and the ______________ for the year
• Open House is typically held at the beginning of the year or each _______________
• Length of Open House ____________ from school to school
Tips for managing Open House
• Give handouts, rather than verbal only
-Deadlines
-_____________
-Website, social media, etc.
-Contact info
-__________________ information
• _______________ Opportunities
• Obtain parent contact information/___________emergency contact sheets
• Give out the “How To’s” (refer to Module 8: What Families Want to Know)
Types of conferences
1.
2.
3.
Parent teacher conferences
• The purpose is to build a ______________ between the parent and the school so that each
stakeholder works together for the student to be ___________________
• A parent teacher conference helps to communicate to parents the areas that the student is
______________________ in and to give them specific ideas of how to _______________
upon their child’s performance in school
How is a parent teacher conference initiated?
• Request can be made by:
• ________________
• Family
• ________________
• Student
When preparing for school conferences
• Encourage __________ way conversation
• Opportunity to emphasize __________________
• Prepare for ____________________
Student led conferences
Student led conferences are:
-attended by the student, parent/family, teacher
-facilitated by the ______________________
-led by the ______________________
During the conference, students:
-share their progress toward and mastery of ____________________
-show examples of their progress by leading their families through a
_______________________ of assignments
What is the difference between traditional and student led conferences?
Traditional
• ____________________ Driven
• _____________________ time frame - little time for conversations
• Arena style or large group setting
• Focus tends to be on ___________________ and _______________ rather than academic
• Fragmented
Student Led
• ______________________ Driven
• _______________________ time - conversation based
• High Accountability
• Opportunities for goal setting
• Samples of work
• _______________________ Assessment
Benefits of student led conferences
• Opens up __________________________ between school and home
• Practices real life-skills - communication, organization, leadership, etc.
• Teaches self-evaluation, self-reflection skills
• Focuses on _________________________
• Goal setting process has buy-in by all involved
• Easier scheduling - easily accommodates late arrivals, walk-ins
• Less stress on ___________________ during conference days
• Accommodates families who do not speak ________________________
• Students are the center of the conference
IEP Conferences
3 Types of IEP Conferences
•
•
•
Reflection Questions: After participating in Module 4, Preparing for Open House &
Conferences, reflect personally on the following questions.
A. Identify the events when families are invited into your classroom. How can you increase
participation at these events?
B. Identify a creative way to introduce yourself to your families when face-to-face, in written
communication, and electronically.
C. Identify at least 2 ways to make your open house time interactive and meaningful for the
families.
D. What strategies can you use to support and prepare your families for conferences?
E. How can you evaluate family perspective (or get family feedback) after they have visited
your classroom?
Module 5: Sharing Family Resources
What are family resources?
Family Resources are school and community-based programs or organizations that support
student and families’ ________________ in a variety of ways such as family
____________________ centers, individual support and _______________ support.
Homework: Why including parents is important
• The concept of including parents in homework can ___________ up a child's learning
• Homework can involve parents in the school process and enhance their _________________
of education and the educator(s)
• It also gives them an opportunity to express positive attitudes about the value of
_______________ in school
Defining the role of homework
• ___________________ homework requires students to apply skills they already have to new
situations.
• ___________________ homework requires the student to apply many different skills to a
single task, such as book reports, science projects or creative writing.
How to disseminate information
• Websites
• Social Media
• _______________
• Newsletters
• Emails
• Paper
• ________________
Homework Help
• How do your remind families about homework?
• Be specific about ____________________
• Give resources to access at home
• _______________ deadlines/due dates
What is curriculum?
• The term curriculum refers to the _________________ and ______________ content taught in
a school or in a specific course or program
• It is important that teachers share the ______________ of curriculum being utilized in the
classroom (Engage NY, Eureka Math, etc.)
Curriculum
• Changes in curriculum can be difficult for teachers, but sometimes even more so for
________________
• Be clear and refrain from using educational ________________ when it is not necessary
• Offer __________________ (websites, handouts) that assist with curriculum at home
Students with disabilities
Know your ___________________ in your community
Additional resources to share
Community Events
Louisiana Resources/________________
Reflection Questions: After participating in Module 5, Sharing Family Resources, reflect
personally on the following questions.
A. Identify the strategies you use to include families in homework.
B. How do you disseminate information related to homework? How often?
C. What resources do you offer families when assisting with homework?
D. How do you communicate with your families about your curriculum used in the classroom
and the resources associated with that curriculum?
E. How can you identify the needs of your families and connect them with the appropriate
resources?
Module 6: Encouraging Involvement
Expand the Definition
While there is no doubt that volunteers and schools go together, it is time to update the traditional
definition of volunteers to realize the different _____________, abilities, and _______________ that
families offer
Develop Opportunities
1. How are families currently volunteering?
2. What are our needs as a school?
3. How do we identify families’ skills/interests?
Examples of Family Participation
• Class projects/events
• _____________ Day
• Clean up/paint classroom or school
Additional Ideas
• _______________ Events
• Volunteers in the office; copies
• _______________ Buddies
• Committees (PTA, Clubs)
Recruit families directly
• Target _______, or ____________ families, through various methods of contact and
communication
Recruit families indirectly
• Share and post information about opportunities where families will ______________
Offer support
• Provide frequent __________________ and alerts
• Publish a calendar of all opportunities
• ________________ current and ongoing opportunities
• Post training videos, resources
• Specify if training is needed
• Develop a training ________________
• Follow-up with specific details when families offer to help
Is training needed?
• Will they be ____________________ with students?
• Will they be using school ____________________?
• Will they represent the school in an official capacity?
• Will they be responsible for other __________________?
School-parent compacts
• a written agreement of _________________ responsibility
• a catalyst for collaboration and better communication between school staff and parents by
________________ goals for student __________________ into shared action statements
School-parent compact requirements
• Jointly develop with parents a school-parent compact
• Outline how parents, the entire school staff and students will share the responsibility for
improved student _______________________ achievement
• Outline the _____________ by which the school and parents will build and develop a
partnership to help children achieve the state’s high standards
What should be included?
• Describe the school’s responsibility to provide high _____________ curriculum and instruction
• Describe the ways _____________ will be responsible for supporting their children’s learning
• Address the importance of communication between teachers and parents on a continuous
basis
-Annual parent-teacher conference
-Frequent reports on __________________ progress
-Reasonable access to staff
-_______________________ to volunteer and participate
Reflection Questions: After participating in Module 6, Encouraging Involvement, reflect
personally on the following questions.
A. List the ways that families currently volunteer in your class/school.
B. How can you encourage greater involvement from families in your classroom?
C. Generate a list of strategies to involve the community for volunteer opportunities.
D. How can you strengthen school-parent compacts in your classroom/school?
E. How can you support your families with the school-parent compact agreements throughout
the school year?
Module 7: Acknowledging Family Concerns
Why do some families feel frustrated?
• Lack of communication
• Making changes without ____________________
• They may feel labeled because of marital status, ethnicity, etc.
• Do not understand educational ________________
• They feel like they have no input
Facts about families who have concerns
1. They are concerned about the best ____________________ of their child
2. Their perception is their _______________
3. They may seek to address an unresolved issue in other ways
4. They can and are willing to __________________ in how they work with you
Common types of parents/families you may encounter
1.
2.
3.
The over-involved parent/family
• If there is no problem, __________________ parent/family that their child is well-adjusted
socially, behaving properly, and ________________ academically
• If there is a problem, involve the parent/family in developing an _______________
___________ that will help the student overcome the issue they are facing
• Suggest a __________________ schedule for the future
Absent parent/family
Try to accommodate their ___________________________
Offer to discuss the issue in a brief phone conversation
If a language barrier is an issue, find someone on the school’s staff who can ______________
Defensive parent/family
Maintain a positive attitude and put the problem in ________________________
Including the parent/family, present an action plan to help the child improve
Suggest how the parent can support the child at ___________________
Assure the parent/family that you believe that the student can be _______________________
Acknowledge the student’s positive attributes, then tell the parent your concerns
Communication Technique
Active Listening
• Looks and sounds interested in the _______________________
• Adopts the speaker's point of view
• ___________________ the speaker's thoughts and feelings
Reflective Response
• Reflect the speaker's thoughts and feelings
• _________________ rather than ___________________ the conversation
• Respond to ______________________, rather than content
Prepare in advance
• Be_________________-one of the easiest ways to avoid a difficult situation with a
parent/family is to establish a relationship first
• Make contact with parent/family ______________ a difficult situation arises-they are more
likely to be receptive if you have a relationship
• Utilize positive strategies throughout the year to establish a relationship-we should not call
parents/family ONLY when there is a _____________________
Prepare for unscheduled visits
1. Listen to the concern
2. Be ________________________ to the concern
3. Assure the parent/family member that the concern is too _________________ to discuss at
this time
4. Then offer to attend to the issue at another mutually agreed upon time
Document your communication efforts
• Dates
• ________________
• People
• Description of __________________
• Print/copies of emails
Choose proactive responses
When dealing with family concerns:
• Remain _____________________ in all interactions
• Establish clear ______________________
• Have a plan
• Take action
• Follow through
• Always encourage family ________________________
• Answers families’ questions/concerns
Reflection Questions: After participating in Module 7, Acknowledging Family Concerns,
reflect personally on the following questions.
A. What are some concerns that parents/families have brought to your attention related to
your class/school?
B. Describe the frustrations that you currently have with families/parents.
C. What are some strategies or actions that are within your control that could remedy some of
the frustrations you listed above?
D. How can you ensure that you are incorporating a balance of positive outreach and
feedback to families about their child?
E. How do you document your communication efforts with families? How can your
documentation be improved?
Module 8: Addressing Frequently Asked Questions
Why is this topic important?
• If we know what families have questions about, we can tailor our communication efforts to
meet their needs _______________they need help
• We cannot _______________ that families already know this information discussed in this
section
What if my child has make up work?
• School & Class Policy on make-up work
• Where can a student __________ make-up work or what is the process to get make-up work?
• Can families access class activities ________________ to help keep students on track who
are absent?
How can I check grades?
• Log in information if grades are ________________
• A statement/policy from you regarding how ___________ grades are updated in the system
• What grades consist of… quiz, tests, projects, etc.
How do I check attendance?
• If a student is absent, how are families __________________?
• Is there a school/district website where families login to view # of absences?
School meals
• How do I ____________?
• Is there a menu given/posted?
• _______ ______________ Forms
How do I contact school personnel?
• Do you have your contact information posted in __________________ places?
• How often are you _______________ it with families?
• Do families know how to contact school for issues not relating to your classroom?
What if I need help with homework?
• Offer resources that can be accessed at ______________
• Be clear about _________________ and due dates
• Refer to Module 5-Sharing Family Resources
When are upcoming school events?
• Deadlines
• _______________ Events
• ________________
• Extra-curricular
How can I collaborate with the community?
• Participating on a ______________________
• How to be a school ______________________ in the community
How can I volunteer at school?
• Teacher can offer list of yearly activities/sign up
• Help in _______________ (copies, bulletin boards, etc.)
• Reading to students
• ______________________ on field trips
Reflection Questions: After participating in Module 8, Addressing Frequently Asked
Questions, reflect personally on the following questions.
A. How do you currently address frequently asked questions that families may have about
your classroom/school?
B. How can you improve your efforts to address these topics with families?
C. What are some ways you can share local, state, and national level services to families of
students with disabilities?
D. When families do not attend school events when information is disseminated, how can you
ensure that they still receive the information?
E. What structures do you have in place to ensure that families have opportunities for two-way
communication?
Module 9: Obtaining Feedback
What is feedback?
• Feedback is _________________ gained from families from a _____________ of sources
Why is feedback important?
• Helps us to become better educators by identifying our ____________ and areas of _______
• Fosters a _____________________ with all stakeholders involved
Common ways to obtain feedback
1.
2.
3.
Opportunities to collect feedback
• _______________ _____________
• Weekly folders/planners
• Conferences
• Office
Tips on creating a feedback form
• Determine ____________________________ you want to know
• Keep it _______________
• Use mostly “_______________-ended” (list of answer choices) questions-the results are
analyzed easier
• Include a few ___________ “open-ended” (unstructured response) questions
Plan your next steps
• Focus on a few things that need _________________________
• Develop _____________ ______________ with deadlines
Sharing feedback
Families
• Open House
• Family Meetings
• Newsletter/Newspaper
• ________________
• Letter/postcard
• ________________
Faculty/Staff
• ___________________ meetings
Reflection Questions: After participating in Module 9, Obtaining Feedback, reflect personally
on the following questions.
A. List the ways that you currently obtain feedback from your families.
B. How can you strengthen your feedback efforts with families?
C. What questions could be asked on a survey to engage the community in the educational
process?
D. Describe how you currently analyze family feedback and identify ways to strengthen this
process.
E. How can you improve the system by which you analyze your feedback so that appropriate
modifications can be made?
Reflection Questions: After participating in Module 10, Additional Resources, reflect
personally on the following questions
Based on all resources provided, identify five that you will review in order to incorporate family
engagement strategies in your classroom.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
The contents of this PowerPoint presentation were developed under a grant from the US Department of Education, #H323A110003. However those contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the US Department of Education, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government.
