Full Description
A supplementary guidebook for courses in Collaboration, School/Family Relationships, or School/Family Partnerships.
This guidebook provides evidence-based information, examples, and resources to K-12 educators about effective strategies for communicating with parents. It is divided into five sections: Developing Caring Relationships in Schools, Communicating with Families for Student Success, Communicating with Families throughout the School Year, Communicating with Families in Meetings, and Addressing Difficult Topics with Families. Each section begins with a discussion of the topic as it relates to general education students, students with disabilities, culturally/linguistically diverse students, and students with unique gifts and talents. Graphics and examples illustrate each topic, and teacher reproducible materials facilitate ease-of-access for educators.
Contents
Chapter 1 — Developing Caring Relationships in Schools
Developing Caring Relationships with Your Students
Showing Interest in Each Student
Developing Caring Relationships with Special Populations Developing Caring Relationships with Your Students' Families
Understanding Your Students' Family Backgrounds Understanding the Strengths of Your Students' Families
Understanding the Concerns of Your Students' Families Summary
Chapter 2 — Skills for Communicating with Families
Communication Skills
Skills for Face-to-Face Communications
Skills for Written Communications
Considerations for Communicating with Diverse Types of Families
Considerations for Culturally/Linguistically Diverse Families
Considerations for Socioeconomically Diverse Families
Considerations for Families Raising Children with Different Abilities
Summary
Chapter 3 — Communicating with Families Throughout the School Year
Phone Communications
Purposes of Phone Communications
Advantages and Limitations
General Guidelines
What to Say in Phone Calls
How to Communicate During Phone Calls
Written Communications
Purposes of Written Communications
Advantages and Limitations
General Guidelines
What to Include in Written Communications
How to Create Written Communications
Electronic Communications
Purposes of Electronic Communications
Advantages and Limitations
General Guidelines
What to Include in Electronic Communications
How to Create Electronic Communications
Types of Written Communications
Disclosure Documents
Curriculum Plans
Newsletters
Homework
School-Home Notes
Progress Reports and Report Cards
Legal Documents
Summary
Chapter 4 — Communicating with Families in Meetings
Formal Meetings
Classroom Events (Back-to School Nights and Open Houses)
Teacher-Led Parent—Teacher Conferences
Student-Led Conferences
Individualized Education Program Meetings
Parent—Teacher Organization Meetings
Informal Meetings
School Visits (Hallway and Classroom Chats)
Home Visits
Parent Volunteers in Classrooms
Summary
Chapter 5 — Addressing Difficult Topics with Families
Academic Issues
What Are Academic Difficulties?
Support at School
Communicating with Parents
Social/Behavioral Issues
What Are Social/Behavioral Problems?
Support at School
Communicating with Parents
Child Abuse/Neglect
What Is Child Abuse and Neglect?
Reporting Abuse and Neglect
Support at School
Communicating with Parents
Bullying
What Is Bullying?
Support at School
Communicating with Parents
School Crises/Emergencies
What Are School Crises/Emergencies?
Crisis Response and Communication Plans
Communicating with Parents
Summary
Appendix — Templates and Reproducibles
Index
