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Parents as Partners in Middle School

Karen CaineNCTE 2010

karencaine@gmail.com

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Parents as Partners in Middle School Literacy

How do parents see their role?

How does school personnel see the role of parents?

How do students see parental involvement in literacy in middle school?

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What is happening CURRENTLY?

Middle school parent involvement significantly less than in elementary school.

School personnel communicate with parents regarding three factors:

1) grading and evaluation

2) general communication regarding policy

3) fundraising

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1. The Million Words Project - Deborah

Bora“In a million words or less, tell us about your child...”

Parents talked about the expected and the unexpected.

65%-90% return rate

In cases where written English was not strong, parents dictated to students

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Excerpts...

Seems very secure but always compares himself to his sister who is older, makes friends easily and does better in school...has ADD but cannot take medication...

Simon had a tragedy in his life two years before we moved here and it still frightens him at the night...

Parker is obsessed with music...

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2. Family Conversation/Talk

About It

In the news

“This I Believe” essays

Would you rather?

Book of Lists

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3. Student Led Conferences

Students discuss what they have learned, areas of strength, and areas of challenge

Teachers discuss the same

Parents are afforded time with the teacher alone

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What are the benefits?

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4. Showcase Student Work

A few students each month

One grade at a time

The whole school

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GetSparked.org - like projects

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5. Book Clubs - Parents, Students, or

Both

ONE BOOK, ONE SCHOOL, ONE COMMUNITY - Katrina Hatch, Reading Specialist, Caledonia - Mumford Middle School

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PEAK, by Roland Smith

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SEER OF SHADOWS, by Avi

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Community Members Lead Book

Discussions

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What’s your story, Cal-Mum?

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Student-Parent Field Trips

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6. Guest Speakers

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7. Parent Visiting Days

Parents can visit at any point in the day and are encouraged to do so.

There is coffee and a staff member who greets parents and a short video clip for parents to watch when they are not in the classrooms

Nametags are provided and conversation is encouraged among parents

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8. Response to Community Issues

Suicide prevention

Bullying issues

Other community or early teen issues

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Society for Prevention of Teen Suicide

“Two representatives for the Society of Teen Suicide spoke on Wednesday, October 7, 2010. The presentation was entitled, Not My Kid, What Every Parent Should Know About Youth Suicide...”

Ridgewood.Patch.com

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9. Helping the Local Community

On-going projects

One time projects

Projects that align with curriculum

Projects that are not directly related to curriculum

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Ways to Begin

Schools become more involved in local community and see where this leads

Hold an informal meeting with parents and ask them how they would like to be partners with the school in terms of literacy

Identify parental interests and abilities

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Considerations

Give parents or students something for attending the activity.

Invite or work with only a small group of students and parents at one time - for example grade level activities

Single gender activities

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Further Study

Website:

middleweb.com (google search parent involvement & literacy)

Books

Beyond the Bakesale: The Essential Guide to Family/School Partnerships by Anne T. Henderson, Don Davies, Vivian R Johnson, & Karen L Mapp

At NCTE