1. Sharing Family Resources
Engaging All Families Series Module 5 of 10
Welcome
Welcome to the webinar on Sharing Family Resources.
My name is Jane Groff, and I will be your presenter for this family engagement series on Engaging All Families.

2. Engaging All Families Series
Welcoming Environment
Recognizing Diversity
Ongoing Communication
Open House & Conferences
Sharing Family Resources
Encouraging Involvement
Acknowledging Concerns
Addressing FAQs
Obtaining Feedback
Additional Resources
Mindful Engagement Series: Strategies & Tools to Strengthen Family Partnerships 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Engaging All Families Series
This presentation is Module 5 of 10 in our Engaging All Families Series.
Content for this series is derived from an analysis of research from the family engagement field, from family support organizations, and state agencies that support family partnerships.
Content for this series is derived from an analysis of research from the family engagement field (i.e. Joyce Epstein, Anne Henderson), family support organizations, and state agencies that support family partnerships.

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Icons Used in Presentation
Prior to beginning the content of this webinar, there are a couple of things that you may find helpful.
First, there will be icons used throughout the series as visual prompts to additional resources.
When you see a:
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Now is a good time to download this module’s powerpoint and listening guide and to print the Listening Guide.
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4. This Module Addresses:
Information shared regarding:
Homework
Curriculum
Students with Disabilities
Family partners
This Module Addresses:
There are many types of resources to share with families to assist them with engaging in their children’s education…
In this webinar, I will focus on sharing information shared regarding:
Homework
Curriculum
Students with Disabilities
Family partners
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[Transition]
Hopefully, you have printed your listening guide and ready to get started with the presentation.

5. What are Family Resources?
Family Resources are school and community-based programs/organizations or information that support student and families’ needs in a variety of ways such as family resource centers, individual support and group support.
[read definition]
For teachers, it is also important to identify those resources and the areas they support and link them to families to address their needs.
They can also be linked to schools, community centers, child care programs and other community programs.
These resources can connect families with information to support them as they support their children.

6. Be Aware of: Sharing Resources on Homework
In this webinar, I will share some specific information to be aware of in which we can share with our families.
The first is to be aware of sharing homework resources.

7. Homework: Why Including Families is Important
The concept of including families in homework can speed up a child's learning
Homework can involve parent or family members in the school process and enhance their appreciation of education and the educator(s)
It also gives them an opportunity to express positive attitudes about the value of success in school
Homework: Why Including Families Is Important
First, it can help the child as the parent or family member can jump in and support him/her whenever the need arises.
It can help the parent or family member become more knowledgeable about what their child is expected to learn and develop an appreciation for the education process
Can give families the opportunity to express positive attitudes about the school
U.S. Department of Education, Office of Intergovernmental and Interagency Affairs, Educational Partnerships and Family Involvement Unit, Homework Tips for Parents, Washington, D.C., 2003.
Georgia Department of Education

8. Defining the Role of Homework
Extension homework requires students to apply skills they already have to new situations.
Integration homework requires the student to apply many different skills to a single task, such as book reports, science projects or creative writing.
And of course, homework can be used as:
Extension to the classwork challenging students to apply skills learned
Also, an opportunity for students to integrate skills as they build upon a single task such as book reports, science projects, etc.
U.S. Department of Education, Office of Intergovernmental and Interagency Affairs, Educational Partnerships and Family Involvement Unit, Homework Tips for Parents, Washington, D.C., 2003.
Georgia Department of Education

9. Link to Learning Send home lesson extension questions
Most parents and family members will agree that when they ask their child about their school day or if they have homework, many times, they get one word answers and there is seldom any homework or it was already done.
To help families stimulate richer conversations about homework or school work with their child, teachers can draft questions and give to the families.
This is an example of some extension questions that families can ask.

10. How to Disseminate Info:
Websites
Social Media
Text
Newsletters s
Paper
Verbal
So when supporting families with homework and resources to support it,
Teachers can disseminate the information via….
Many parents appreciate texting as a form of communication. Texts sent out monthly with a homework quote, reminder, or tip keep the parent informed and attuned to this area.
[read slide]

11. Homework Help How do your remind families about homework?
Be specific about assignment
Give resources to access at home
Identify deadlines/due dates
Here are several reminders about designing homework….be aware of the fact that
Families, especially of younger students, can use reminders about homework
It helps to be specific about assignments
Also provide them with resources to access while at home
And make sure that families are mindful of the deadlines and due dates.

12. This resource can give you some tips about supporting families with homework.
I love the way it starts:::
It states the Reading Report Card for the Nation and States concluded that students in grades 4, 8, and 12 who had at least weekly home discussions about their studies averaged higher reading scores than students who reported discussing their studies less frequently.
Teachers have the opportunity to encourage and support families in having discussions with their children about assignments.
So here is a tool that can provide some quick tips to supporting families have discussions about learning.

13. This is a good resource for teachers.
I love this example of how we can engage families with the homework …
It is an example of a homework assignment that has TIPS – an interactive approach to homework.
If you notice, before the assignment is given, there is a note to the family member just giving them a brief summary of what the homework is about….
Then, on the homework page, there is instruction for the student to actually do with the family member, for example, students are prompted to show and explain to families how they completed that particular assignment.
This approach takes alittle work upfront; however the payoff is good!
Epstein, J.L., Salinas, K.C., & Jackson, V. (revised 2000). Teachers Involve Parents in Schoolwork (TIPS) Interactive Homework for the Middle
Grades. Baltimore: Center on School, Family, and Community Partnerships, Johns Hopkins University.

14. Here is an example from colleagues in Georgia, and how they use the same concept being used with high school……..

15. This is a similar example for families with children in middle school
This is a similar example for families with children in middle school. Notice, supplies for this assignment are very common and most families may have these supplies at home. These assignments promote discussions between parents and children which can be extremely valuable to build relationships.

16. Be Aware of: Sharing Resources about Curriculum
In addition to sharing resources and information about homework, we should also share resources and information about the curriculum.

17. What is Curriculum?
The term curriculum refers to the lessons and academic content taught in a school or in a specific course or program
It is important that teachers share the types of curriculum being utilized in the classroom with families (Engage NY, Eureka Math, etc.)
When we refer to curriculum, we are talking about the content that will be taught for that grade level or subject area. It is a good idea to introduce families to their child’s curriculum for example in math or reading so that families can be confident the curriculum being used with their children is of high quality.

18. Curriculum
Changes in curriculum can be difficult for teachers, but sometimes even more so for families
Be clear and refrain from using educational terms when it is not necessary
Offer resources (websites, handouts) that assist with curriculum at home
[read slide]
Changes in curriculum can be difficult for families. Just as they have become familiar with a curriculum it may change which can cause concern.
Whenever we speak with families, we need to be free of acronyms and other unnecessary educational jargon.
Offering families additional tips of websites or fun game sites that support learning at home is welcomed by many families.

19. Here is an excellent tool with ideas to help teachers communicate with families about the curriculum in order that they may know what their children will be learning throughout the school year.
We can’t make assumptions that when we share about the curriculum during an open house, parents will remember. They have a lot of information coming to them during that event.
So thinking about different ways that we can communicate curriculum information throughout the year will help the families support the child at home.

20. The National Parent Teacher Association (PTA) has developed Parents’ Guides to Student Success. I have found this guides to be simple, clear and yet valuable information for families. The guides provide clear consistent expectations for what students should be learning at each grated in order to be college and career ready.
If you go to guides, as seen in the left hand corner of the screen, you will see each of the guides listed by grade level and content area.

21. The Council of the Great City Schools has developed Parent Roadmaps to the Common Cores Standards in English Language Arts. These are parent roadmaps for each grade level identifying what content is taught in each grade. There is also a three year snapshot showing how selected standards progress from year to year so that students will be college and career ready.
If you type and search for Parent Roadmaps as seen in the left hand corner of the screen, you will have access to these Roadmaps.

22. The Council of the Great City Schools has developed Parent Roadmaps to the Common Cores Standards in Mathematics also. These are parent roadmaps for each grade level identifying what content is taught in each grade. There is also a three year snapshot showing how selected standards progress from year to year so that students will be college and career ready.
If you type and search for Parent Roadmaps as seen in the left hand corner of the screen, you will have access to these Math Roadmaps.

23. Be Aware of: Sharing Resources for Families of Students With Disabilities
Because of the unique needs families with children with disabilities may have, it is important to be aware of resources that may support these families.

24. Students with Disabilities
IEP
Modifications
Accommodations
Know your resources in your community
Refer to Module 4, “Open House & Conferences” for more resources and information to support families of Students with Disabilities.
Since families of children with disabilities may experience or participate in Individual Education Programs, or require modifications or accommodations for student learning, it is important families understand these terms and where to learn more about them so they can advocate for their children.

25. This tool was designed to help teachers of SWD work more effectively with students’ families.
The interesting things indicates that after interviewing 80 parents of SWD, who received Sped services in public schools, they found the responses could be organized in themes:
They want educators to listen to them
They want the communication to be strengthened
They want educators to be aware of their needs and differences
They want educators to be knowledgeable of their child’s disability
They want respect for their child’s needs
They wanted an improvement on the IEP process

26. So, it is important for teachers, both general ed and special ed teachers to work together with families, and provide support to families of SWD as their needs are different.
Here is a resource to share with families”
It will help them and you with acronyms that are commonly used and seen on their child’s IEP.
This could be shared or something similar with families.

27. Be Aware of: Sharing Resources for Family Partners
And finally, it is important to be mindful of family partners.
These are your community resources.

28. Additional Resources to Share
Family Centers
Community Events
Resources/Contacts
Keep families aware of the family centers or other support organizations that are in the community.

29. Families Together, Inc. in Kansas has three offices across Kansas
Families Together, Inc. in Kansas has three offices across Kansas. This nonprofit empowers parents by providing an understanding of the special education and health care process, communication strategies, effective teaming, and by accessing resources available to meet a child’s unique needs.
The web address is in the left hand corner of the screen at

30. The Kansas Children’s Cabinet and Trust Fund supports quality early childhood education, care, and health services crucial to strong child development. When services and programs are purposely coordinated on the state and local level with a variety of public and private partners at the table, we ensure that Kansas children and families get the assistance and guidance they need. KS Children’s Cabinet works to coordinate these partners.
To learn more about the Kansas Children's Cabinet and Trust Fund Google:

31. KVC Kansas serves families in need or in crisis
KVC Kansas serves families in need or in crisis. To learn more about foster care systems and care, you may visit this website. KVC provides ongoing case management, therapy, family education and support, transportation and aftercare services, impacting thousands of children and family members each day.
Visit:

32. COOL CLICK
While this is not a local entity, The Center for Effective Parenting has developed supports for families including videos, handouts and slides in modules and tutorials on a variety of topics: such as communicating with your child, incorporating study skills at home, and other topics.

33. Take 5
As a recap, when planning to share resources with your families, you should be Mindful of sharing resources……
To support homework,
Resources to support curriculum
That support students and families with disabilities
Family partners
As a final consideration, I would like for you to Take 5…..that is take these 5 questions or statements and reflect on them. Take 5 is located in the second portion of your Listening Guide
1.  Identify the strategies you use to include families in homework.
2. How do you disseminate information related to homework?  How often?
3. What resources do you offer families when assisting with homework?   
4. How do you communicate with your families about your curriculum used in the classroom and the resources associated with that curriculum?
5. How can you identify the needs of your families and connect them with the appropriate resources?
And after you have “Taken 5”, you are Mindfully Engaged and ready to share resources with families.

34. development of this module and additional resources.
Closure
In closing, I encourage you to visit our website at the web address on your screen, where you can view the other 9 webinars under the Family Engagement tab for the Engaging All Families Series as well as other resources.
Again, this is Jane Groff and on the behalf of the Kansas Parent Information Resource Center, I thank you for viewing this webinar.
Special thanks is given to the Louisiana Department of Education in the
development of this module and additional resources.