session 5: communicating with parents

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Session 5: Communicating With

ParentsHelping Parents Understand

Core Knowledge Language Arts

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Domino Share• Decide who is going first. • Introduce yourself to your colleagues at your

table. Each person should share your: What do parents need to know about CKLA? What have you done with parents around CKLA?

• First person will point to the person who will go second. Continue this pattern.

• Stop when you have finished the round.

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Parent +Teacher =Child’s Success

• Parents have an important role in their child's academic success.

• Educators can support parents: express the rationale

behind methods of teaching provide suggestions,

learning tools, & activities • Educating parents enables

learning to continue & extend at home.

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One School’s Effort• Located in Bronx• Attendance rate 91.9%• Poverty rate 95.7%• Black or African

American 26.8%• Hispanic 63.3%• Title 1, Title 3 funding• Designated as

Persistently Low Achieving school (PLA)

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Parent Involvement Policy

• Holding an annual Title 1 Parent Curriculum Conference (V.I. P. night)

• Host educational family events/activities during PTC and throughout year

• Provide translation and interpretation services• Parent Resource Center, Instructional materials for

parents in Library• Train parents to be school volunteers• Provide written and verbal progress reports• Inform and invite parents to school activities

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Helping Parents to Understand

Core KnowledgeParents need to learn what their children are learning

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V.I.P. Night • Held in September• CKLA orientation for

K-2 parents• Held in auditorium• Followed by

classroom visits

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Classroom Visit during V.I.P.

• Meet child’s teacher

• Learn about daily schedule

• View CKLA materials

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Classroom Visit

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Homework

Family Projects

Assessments

Domain Related Field Trips



New Supports for V.I.P. Night

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Core KnowledgeOrientation for Parents“Tools For Working with Parents”http://www.engageny.org/resource/professional-development-turnkey-kit-ela-p-2-skills-strand-in-depth


http://www.engageny.org/resource/professional-development-turnkey-kit-ela-p-2-skills-strand-in-depth






Helpful Handouts and Visuals for a V.I.P. Night

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Reflection• How did you provide orientation to the parents

this year?• What have you heard that you would like to try

for your orientation?• What would you do differently?

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November: Family Reading Workshop

• November 3:30-5:30• Joint effort-Coaches

and Librarian present workshop

• Scheduled after student dismissal

• CKLA focus• Informational session

on library services and resources

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Family Reading Workshop Agenda

• Sound Clinic• Chaining Activities• Domain Read Aloud Demo• Strengthening vocabulary, questioning and

speaking skills• Domain related trade books and resources

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Parent Feedback

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March: Family Game Night

• Held in cafeteria• Grade specific tables • Multiple tables per grade, each with a different

game.• Games from Pausing Point and A & R guide• Teachers and coaches ran games and directed

traffic• Make and Take activity table

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Games Played During Family Game Night

Word Bingo, Tic-Tac-Toe, Tricky Word Baseball, Spelling Alternatives Board Game, Make and Take Activities

• Prepare games in advance

• Plan logistics• Publicize event

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Kindergarten Assessment and Remediation

Guide Unit 6: Letter Name Game



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First Grade Assessment and Remediation

Guide Unit 4: Spicy Sentences



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Second Grade Teacher’s Guide

Unit 5: Spelling Alternative Board Game



April: Family Story Night• Teachers dress up

as storybook characters

• Students attend in pajamas, bring blankets and stuffed animals

• Cookies and milk provided

• Held in gym

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April: Family Story Night Activities

• Teachers read L & L stories

• Some stories acted out

• Students turn and talk with parents

• Parents practice reading aloud trade books to students

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Throughout the Year: Monthly Assemblies

• Classes take turns hosting

• Parents Invited• “Show What You Know” • Writer’s Chair• Host class presents

domain related performance

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Throughout the Year:Parent Progress Reports

• Report cards-Nov., and March

• Progress Reports-Oct., Jan. May.

• Official DOE report card in June

• Includes CKLA learning objectives

• Translated in Spanish

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Great Idea! Listening Nook

• Set up in hallway• K students ask

adults to listen to them read

• Adult signs in• Listens to student• Adult receives

sticker for listening

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Quitman Elementary School Newark, New Jersey



Connect, Question, Extend

• How does this parent outreach case study compare to your original ideas?

• What was covered?• What was missing?• What will you take away?

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session 5: communicating with parents

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