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Module 1 - Session 8

SHIFTING WITH FAMILY PARTNERS

Shifting to Teaching Across Learning Environments (TALE)

Module 1 - Session 8 Program Cover - Various photographs of ethnic families

GETTING STARTED

OVERVIEW

Welcome to TALE Academy Module 1: Shifting to Teaching Across Learning Environments (TALE)!

Goal – The goal of this module is to prepare educators to intentionally design and offer learning experiences that build upon the opportunities provided by different learning environments and formats.

Module Content – This module consists of 10 sessions that will support shifting to teaching across learning environments. Each session contains a variety of content and learning activities.

Session Content – You are beginning Module 1 – Session 8: Shifting with Family Partners.

MODULE WORKBOOK

If you have not yet downloaded your personal copy of the TALE Academy Workbook for this module, do so now. See directions below. There is only one workbook for each module which contains activities for all sessions within that module. 

 

Step 1: Create your personal copy of the Module 1 TALE Academy Workbook.

Throughout this session, you will complete the session activities and take notes in the Module 1 TALE Academy Workbook. You will have many opportunities to apply the knowledge and skills you learn using your digital workbook. When you click on the Module 1 TALE Academy Workbook link, you will be prompted to make a copy of the workbook. Once you do so, your notes and your work within your workbook will be visible only to you. Please note that the workbook is fillable using Google Slides. We do not recommend printing a copy due to the length of the workbook.

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Step 2: Get familiar with the Module 1 TALE Academy Workbook.

Now that you have your personal copy of the workbook, review pages 1-7 to learn about the workbook’s contents and tips for using the workbook. Don’t forget to add your name to page 1 to personalize your workbook!

 

Step 3: Review “Key Terms” for Session 8 in the Module 1 TALE Academy Workbook.

Your last step is to review the key terms for Session 8. For every TALE Academy session, the key terms are listed at the start of each new session in the workbook. You can return to the key terms page(s) of your workbook throughout this session to add your notes.

GUIDING QUESTIONS & LEARNING OBJECTIVES

GUIDING QUESTIONS

  1. How do we develop a foundation for excellent family partnerships?

  2. How can we establish effective two-way communications with families?

  3. How do we know if our efforts to partner with families are the right efforts, or whether there is more we could be doing?

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

By the end of this session, you will be able to do the following:

  1. Make a connection between the four constants across learning environments (Session 2) and the four constants in family engagement.

  2. Reflect upon school/home communications and consider models that are effective across modalities.

  3. Recognize aspects of in-person and remote instruction where trauma or inequitable resources impacted student learning.

  4. Apply the knowledge learned in this session to create a functional piece of communication for families that you can use.

ENGAGE: ACTIVATE PRIOR KNOWLEDGE

LEARN FROM OTHERS: 
VOICES FROM THE FIELD

The following video highlights the reflections of New York State educators on how they are shifting their relationships with family partners.

Video thumbnail of African American female teacher

WORKBOOK
ACTIVITY

To activate your prior knowledge on the topic, please complete the following steps:

  • In your copy of the Module 1 TALE Academy Workbook, complete Activity 1.8.1 – Building on Success.

  • If you have not already created your personal copy of the Module 1 TALE Academy Workbook, you can make a copy of the workbook.

EXPLORE: TOPIC OVERVIEW

READ, WATCH, LISTEN

Select from the learning modalities below to explore an overview of the topic for this session. You may read a magazine-style article, watch a video, or listen to a conversational podcast.

 

You need to select only one option: read, watch, or listen.

As you read, watch, or listen, consider pausing and reviewing the key terms for this session in your workbook. You can add your own notes, ideas for application, or definitions of the terms in your own words.

READ

Dive into our Module 1 – Session 8 READ, a magazine-style overview of the session topic with infographics and links to resources.

WATCH

Tune into our Module 1 – Session 8 WATCH, a narrated, animated video that provides an overview of the session topic.

LISTEN

Settle in for our Module 1 – Session 8 LISTEN, a conversational, podcast-style discussion among educators about the session topic.

EXPLORE: CHOICE BOARD

Select one option from the choices offered below to learn more. You should explore BOTH resources for the read or the watch options (there is only one resource for the listen option), but you are welcome to explore all the resources!

Creating a Culture of Collaborative Family Engagement

Synopsis: This article explores the benefits of collaboration with families and advice on how to shift school and family relationships.

Format: Article

Time: 10 minutes

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AND

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8 Ways to Encourage Family Engagement in Secondary Schools

Synopsis: This article explores the importance of actively engaging with families throughout the secondary years.

Format: Article

Time: 5 minutes

Short Guide to Practicing Culturally Responsive and Sustaining Family Engagement During Remote Learning

Synopsis: Educators briefly explain culturally responsive and sustaining education and family engagement in the context of remote learning.

Format: Videos

Time: 6 minutes

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AND

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Transforming the Parent-Teacher Relationship in Remote Learning

Synopsis: Watch the short video and explore the side-by-side comparison of in-person vs. remote activities and strategies.

Format: Webpages and Video

Time: 5 minutes

Transforming Schools Through Parent Engagement

Synopsis: Dr. Rogelio López describes an example of collaborating with the parent community to transform graduation requirements and college preparation.

Format: Podcast

Time: 13 minutes

ESTABLISH: REFLECTION FOR ACTION

WORKBOOK ACTIVITY

  • Return to your copy of the Module 1 TALE Academy Workbook and complete Activity 1.8.2 – Removing Barriers to Participation.

  • If you have not already made your personal copy of the Module 1 TALE Academy Workbook, you can make a copy of the workbook.

EXTEND: DEEPER LEARNING

Extend your learning by engaging in a longer workbook activity and/or accessing additional resources.
This section is designed to help you begin a journey into deeper learning on the topic area.

WORKBOOK ACTIVITY

Return to your copy of the Module 1 TALE Academy Workbook and complete Activity 1.8.3 – Developing a Warm Welcome. If you have not already made your personal copy of the Module 1 TALE Academy Workbook, you can make a copy of the workbook.

Time: 20 minutes

ADDITIONAL 
RESOURCES

Building Parent-Teacher Relationships

Topic: The role of effective communication strategies in parent-teacher relationships

Format: Article

Time: 8 minutes

 

Beginning of the Year Relationship Building Toolkit

Topic: Key communication strategies for getting off to a good start

Format: Toolkit 

Time: 20 minutes

 

Top 5 Insights for Improving Family-School Collaboration During COVID and Beyond

Topic: Five important takeaways from the research on pandemic school-home relations

Format: Article

Time: 10 minutes

 

Pandemic Parents Are More Engaged. How Can Schools Keep It Going?

Topic: Review of survey data on effective family engagement strategies

Format: Article

Time: 10 minutes

 

Educational Equity Defined

Topic: Overview of key terms and priorities when considering educational equity and inequity

Format: Article

Time: 5 minutes

 

Can Family Engagement Be a Gamechanger for Education Post-COVID? (6:45 to 23:27)

Topic: Interviews with parents interspersed with research findings and promising practices

Format: Recorded Webinar

Time: 17 minutes (selection), 1:01:18 (entire webinar) 

 

Family Engagement in a Post-COVID Era (1:54 to 3:00) 

Topic: Members of the National PTA share perspectives on family engagement. 

Format: Recorded Webinar

Time: 1 minute (selection), 45 minutes (entire webinar)

 

Authentic Family Engagement: It’s More than a Pizza

Topic: Suggestions about overcoming power imbalances that can impact family relationships and the power of authentic family engagement rooted in humility and understanding

Format: Podcast

Time: 21 minutes 

 

School, Family, Community Partnerships 

Topic: Topics that can help schools and communities successfully design and implement school responder models to bolster school, family, and community partnerships 

Format: Podcast

Time: 40 minutes

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Resources Referenced in the “Explore” Section

WRAP-UP & NEXT STEPS

This session gave you information and resources on how to shift your practices with family partners across learning environments. In the next session of this module, you’ll explore designing meaningful assessments.

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