Module 15 Discussion: Engaging Families

One practical way to engage families is to send a newsletter home at the beginning of the year that explains expectations of students in the classroom and at home. The newsletter can invite families to respond with questions and their own expectations for the teacher, curriculum, and their child. All communication with families needs to be provided in a language they can understand. Based on the information in this module, early communication with families should include suggestions for how families can support their child's academic work from home. For an ELL family, that may include continuing use of the native language in the home to support cognitive development, attending parent-teacher conferences, and modeling how to organize and conduct effective working habits within the home environment.