Crucial Conversations Welcome Activity: Family Involvement Strategy On a sticky note, write your best family communication / involvement strategy. As strategies are posted, move post-it notes around to categorize them into meaningful groups. Choose one strategy and have the author explain in detail how the strategy was used, including the benefits and limitations. Choose a strategy that is not your own, write “Yes, and…”, then add a suggestion to compliment the strategy.

Crucial Conversation vs. Confrontation with Students’ Families Attributes of Conversation: low key, non-confrontational low risk implies dialogue varied opinion emotions involved outcome-based Attributes of Confrontation: negative overtones power struggle anger emotional winner vs. loser need for mediation nothing resolved Patterson et al. (2002). Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes are High.

5 Keys to Successful Parent-Teacher Communication In your small group, read the article provided. When you are finished, discuss the questions below. How do the strategies identified lay a foundation for having crucial conversations vs. confrontation with students’ families? Share one crucial conversation that you have had with a students’ family members. How did it go? What did you do well? What could you have done differently?

Triangulating Communication Who are the three main players when it comes to school communication?

Triangulating Communication Who are the three main players when it comes to home/school communication? teacher

Triangulating Communication Who are the three main players when it comes to home/school communication? teacher family...often a parent or guardian

Triangulating Communication Who are the three main players when it comes to home/school communication? teacher family...often a parent or guardian student

Triangulating Communication Who are the three main players when it comes to home/school communication? student family teacher

Triangulating Communication What does each vertex of the triangle bring to the conversation in terms of: responsibility? expectations? assessment and evaluation? student teacher family

Parent/Teacher Role-Play In small groups, complete the role play activity. Carefully consider the roles of the parent, the family member and the student.

Parent/Teacher Role-Play Follow up discussion questions: 1. Which scenarios have caused or would cause you the most distress? 2. Name members of your support system who have helped you deal with situations like these? 3. How can you proactively work to address (and perhaps prevent) potential communication issues such as these?