Family Support for Success in Literacy

1. Family Support for Success in Literacy St. Mary Parish Professional Development January 24, 2009

2. Agenda • Introductions/Opening“Always Kiss Me Goodnight” • Family Support – St. Mary Parish Parental Involvement Requirements • Activity #1 “Who Am I?” • The Teacher’s Role • Activity #2 “How Can I help?” • Tips for Teachers – Communication is Important • Activity #3 “Days of Our Lives” • Family Literacy • Activity #4 “Make and Take for Parents” • Closing

3. Rationale for Parental Involvement Parents are the first teachers of their child. They play an important role in their child’s intellectual growth and development. Each child brings to school certain habits and behavior patterns that were learned at home. It has been proven that a positive relationship exists between meaningful parental involvement and student achievement. Those parents who remain actively involved and supportive of the local school have a long-term impact on the academic success and motivation of their child.

4. Parents and teachers can make an outstanding contribution to a child’s educational experiences when working together. With guidance and support, it is believed that parents can be assisted in becoming effectively involved. Parents and teachers can combine their efforts to provide the best possible educational opportunities for all children.

6. St. Mary ParishParental Involvement Requirements • Your school develops and shares with parents: • A School Action Plan (SIP) • A Parental Involvement Policy • Parent/Teacher/Student Compacts • A Family Support Survey

7. Activity #1 Who Am I? Old African saying:“It takes a whole village to raise a child.” Cliché:“I’ll make a deal with you: I won’t believe half of what your child tells me goes on at home if you won’t believe half of what he says goes on at school.”

8. The Teacher’s Role To encourage the Spirit of Teamwork between you and the parents, explain the importance of communication. Ask them to contact you if they have any questions or become aware of a problem. Ask them to talk to you before converting the problem into gossip. Be willing to listen sincerely and share effective ideas.

9. Ideas for Teachers… Star Cards Invitations • Plan a “Showcase” Open House • Communicate professionally throughout the year • Prepare for unexpected responses • Celebrate student successes with parents • Reflect on effective parent conversations Phone calls Notes Conferences Certificates of Achievement

10. Activity #2 How Can I Help?

11. Tips for Teachers: Parent/Teacher Conference • Talk specifically about their child and use specific examples. • Mention things that their child is especially enthusiastic about. • Offer possible solutions to any problems. • Keep the lines of communication open. • Ask parents for their cooperation and engage in joint efforts to help their child. • State the strengths that their child has. • Keep the discussion focused on the child. • State how important the report card is. • Define the grading system and grades. • Keep the conference on schedule.

12. Activity #3 “Days of Our Lives”

13. Think about this… • “Are you so interested in improving your students’ reading abilities that you are willing to change what you do in your classroom…OR… Do you want to raise their test scores so that you don’t have to change what you do in your classroom?” …Great teachers know the difference. Todd Whittaker

14. Promote Family Literacy Serve as a Literacy Coach for Parents Assist Parents with Literacy Activities Answer questions from parents Invite Parents to be volunteers for reading activities Assign easy-to-do activities for families Provide feedback for parents Listen to parent concerns of helping their children Document strengths and weaknesses of students

15. Activity #4 Literacy Activities “Parents Make and Take It”

16. If your mom's asleep, don't wake her up. Amber, age 10 Kids’ thoughts on Parents… If you want something expensive, you should ask your grandparents. Matthew, age 12 Parents freak out when you have a party with loud music. Eddie, age 10 I can remember what flavor of ice cream cone my grandmother and I shared at Disneyworld; but most of the time, I can't remember what day it is. I guess it depends on what you think is important. Katherine, age 13 When your mother is mad and asks you, "Do I look stupid?" it's best not to answer her. Meghan, age 13 Every time I am at home and I am getting on my parent's nerves, they wish I were at camp. And every time I'm at camp and nothing's bothering them, they miss me. Ashley, age 12 Despite all the loving and caring relationships in the world, there is nothing more loving than the feel of my mother's hand on my forehead when I am sick. Rosemary, age 17 When your mom is mad at your dad, don't let her brush your hair. Morgan, age 11 Parents have eyes in the backs of their heads. Melissa, age 12

17. Kids thoughts on School… You should not mess with the principal. Nicholas, age 9 The class in school I hate the most is the one I learn the most from. Joanne, age 10 Reading what people write on desks can teach you a lot. Tiffany, age 13 The boys' restroom smells, but the girls' restroom doesn't. Devin, age 10 If you read a book, it can take you to places you haven't been before. Lindsay Ellen, age 10 All the bad things I've heard about algebra are true. Erin, age 14 When I am working in class and the teacher is looking over my shoulder, I get nervous. Tina, age 17 If I do my homework on the bus, my mom never believes it. Adam, age 9 When teachers get old, like over fifty-five, they're always in a bad mood. Lindsey, age 8 When you want to stay home from school, you have to stay in the bathroom a long, long time. Joseph, age 11 If you are in trouble at school, your parents probably already know about it. Rachel, age 12 The greatest teacher is not the one who talks all the time, but the one who listens. Lauren, age 14

18. A Kindergarten Teacher’s Gift…

19. Surprise…Teacher!

20. “The man who does not read good books has no advantage over the man who can't read.”- Mark Twain

21. “Reading is a discount ticket to everywhere.”  - Mary Schmich

22. “There are many little ways to enlarge your child's world. Love of books is the best of all.”- Jacqueline Kennedy

23. “If you can read this, thank a teacher.”- Anonymous teacher

24. Thank You! Thank You! Thank You! Thank You! Thank You! Thank You! Thank You! Thank You! Thank You! Thank You! Thank You! Thank You! Thank You! Thank You! Thank You! Thank You!