Parent Involvement
"It takes a village to raise a child"
-African Proverb
Learning does not start and stop inside the classroom. It is a continual process woven through out all parts of a child's life; therefore, it is very important that all families are informed, educated and empowered in their student's education. I strive to make sure my parents feel welcomed and supported, that they are heard, respected, share power and responsibility and have open means of communication that are safe and always available. The following are a few ways I involve my parents in their student's education:
- Weekly/Monthly Newsletters: updating parents on student achievement and up coming units
- Monthly House Meetings: parents education, collaboration, introduction of new unit
- Classroom Mom's/Dad's: Parent volunteers
- Classroom Presenters: Share their culture, history, career, or applicable life story
- Workshop Nights: Parents come to learn games or strategies used in the classroom that they can do at home
- "Happy Grams": cards home signifying accomplishment or positive behavior
- Classroom Website: Interactive calendar, discussion groups
- Communication: weekly email updates, monthly conferences
- Edmodo: parents' educational "facebook", allows communication, feedback and sharing of assignments, events, pictures and ideas