Family Engagement Strategies

Goals and Outcomes: 

I will...

• Add to my Family Engagement Strategies "Toolkit" and select, plan, and implement at least four family engagement strategies suggested in this module. I will assess their effectiveness at deepening  partnerships with families of my students.

• Sustain respectful, 2-way, and ongoing relationships with families that support student success by practicing an assets-based approach to partnership.

Your task is to review the Family Engagement calendar you created in the first section of Module H.  The practical suggestions presented here will add to your family engagement "toolkit" and support your plan for more intentional and meaningful ways to partner with families. Strategies range from easy to implement to those that require more time and planning. Have fun exploring! 

Review:  Below is the Family Engagement Calendar template you used previously to plan your family engagement.  Find the document you created in Part 1 of this module to review strategies you have used throughout the year. Which were effective? Where are the gaps in your calendar and areas of engagement with families?

Goal:  Establishing open and ongoing communication with families

Strategy 1:  Two-way Communication

1.Review your Family Engagement and Outreach Plan. What communication strategies have you established that are appropriate for you and all families?  The article below provides suggestions on how to begin and keep an open line of communication between you and families going all year.

2. Read: The following article titled Teacher-Parent Communication Strategies to Start the Year off Right: https://www.edutopia.org/article/teacher-parent-communication-strategies-start-year-right?utm_content=linkpos-archive&utm_campaign=weekly-2023-11-08&utm_medium=email&utm_source=edu-newsletter

3. Quick Write:  Jot down a list of strategies you have already tried and some you want to explore.  Beside each strategy you selected, write the possible pros and cons of implementing it in your community.  Remember to keep it simple and choose strategies that are sustainable for yourself and busy families.

4.  Try: A strategy that is new to you.

5.  Assess:  Does the strategy seem to be working for you and families?  What can you do to increase its effectiveness?  Would another strategy be more appropriate for you and families?

Goal:  Deepen your knowledge of the assets families bring and strengthen the partnerships you have to increase trust and engagement.

Strategy :   Family Surveys

Watch this 2 minute video to get ideas of how to appropriately survey families and gain more insight about their interests and assets they bring to the table.

Fill out:  Write the Family Engagement goal you are addressing in your Family Engagement and Outreach Calendar under the month you plan to implement it.  Include the corresponding strategy. 

Try it!  Make a list of what you need to use the strategy (tech help, survey template, etc.) and give it a go.

Reflect:  What went well?  What will you do differently?  Be sure to make brief notes in your Family Engagement and Outreach Calendar  for next time.

Strategy 3:  Successful and Collaborative Family-Teacher Conferences

Conference time can be stressful for both teachers and families.  Not every family has positive experiences around schooling.  They may be concerned about judgement of their parenting or have family history that includes the period of forced attendance at boarding schools. However, if you have worked hard to create a friendly and warm rapport with families, conferences offer a chance to build new trust and collaboration. Prepare yourself well to make this a rewarding experience for all involved.

Fill out:  Write the Family Engagement goal you are addressing in your Family Engagement and Outreach Calendar under the month you plan to implement it. Include the corresponding strategy.

Sending invitations:  Let families know that grandparents and siblings are welcome to attend conferences.  Assure families that you value their expertise and want to learn from them.  

Read:  The tips in "Must Have Parent Teacher Conference Forms" above on how to organize materials and prepare for quality conversations with families.

Setting up the Conference Space:  Have plenty of comfortable seating available  for extended family members.  Provide healthful, light snacks and beverages.  (Food is always an important part of community-building!) Create an area for younger siblings where they can color, read books, or play with Legos. 

Try it!  

Reflect:  What went well?  What will you do differently?  Be sure to make brief notes in your Family Engagement and Outreach Calendar  for next time.

Goal:  Sustain respectful, 2-way, and ongoing relationships with families that support student success by practicing an assets-based approach to partnership.

Strategy 4:  Take Home Family Literacy Bags

Read the article above on how this simple, but powerful strategy can connect school to home and back again.  It is also an effective way to strengthen students' literacy skills and communicate the importance of literacy to families.

Fill out:  Write the Family Engagement goal you are addressing in your Family Engagement and Outreach Calendar under the month you plan to implement it.  Include this strategy.

Try it!  Make a list of all the materials you need and devise a schedule/system for sending the bag home. 

Reflect:  What went well?  What would you do differently? Be sure to make brief notes in your Family Engagement and Outreach Calendar  for next time.

Strategy 5:  "I Am From" poem and/or photo collage

Listen to the recording above on how to create an autobiographical "I Am From" poem.  This simple strategy invites an individual or a family to create a "word picture" of memories showcasing what makes their family special.  A fun option is to create a photo collage using a cell phone to share images of what the family enjoys doing, places they like to go, foods they eat, family pets, etc. This could also be a video with narration.

Fill out:  Write the Family Engagement goal you are addressing in your Family Engagement and Outreach Calendar under the month you plan to implement it.  Include this strategy.

Try it!  

Reflect:  What went well?  What would you do differently? Be sure to make brief notes in your Family Engagement and Outreach Calendar  for next time.

Goal:  Sustain respectful, 2-way, and ongoing relationships with families that support student success by practicing an assets-based approach to partnership.

Strategy 6:  Family Engagement Events:  The website below shares many ideas on how to welcome families into schools and honor the wealth of experience they have to share in classrooms.

Choose: One strategy that describes how to invite families into the classroom in ways that are welcoming and celebrate their contributions to their child's learning.

Fill out:  Write the Family Engagement goal you are addressing in your Family Engagement and Outreach Calendar under the month you plan to implement it.  Include this strategy.

Try it!  

Reflect:  What went well?  What would you do differently? Be sure to make brief notes in your Family Engagement and Outreach Calendar  for next time.

Strategy 7:  Home Visits.  Most often, families are expected to enter their child's school to establish and  maintain a working relationship with their child's teacher. This "school-centric" approach leaves the burden on families to cross the bridge from school to home.  When possible, home visits are an authentic, two-way, and reciprocal opportunity for teachers to show their desire and openness to meet families where they are. (Note:  Be sure your administrator approves home visits.  In addition, teachers are often advised to partner with a buddy teacher or teacher's aide when using this strategy.)

Read:  The article below, from Edutopia, on the benefits of home visits and how to plan and implement them effectively.

Fill out:  Write the Family Engagement goal you are addressing in your Family Engagement and Outreach Calendar under the month you plan to implement it.  Include this strategy.

Try it!  

Reflect:  What went well?  What would you do differently? Be sure to make brief notes in your Family Engagement and Outreach Calendar  for next time.

Here are some sample conversations starters for engaging with families in safe, respectful, and meaningful ways. Use these as a guide and don't feel you need to cover each one! (It is best if you treat your visit as informal, not as an interview. Do not take notes while in your students' home, but do jot down reminders after the visit so you remember the discussion.)

Conversation starters:

1.  Who in your family does your child spend the most time with?  What do they enjoy doing together?

2.  Describe a favorite time you remember as a family.

3.  What are your child’s favorite pasttimes?

4.  Does your family identify with one or more cultural groups?  Are there ways you participate in your cultural traditions within your family?  Your community?  How? 

5.  Does your family speak more than one language? Which language is used at home?

6.  In what ways are you proud of your child? 

7.  Are there any concerns you would like to talk about?

8.  What are your hopes and dreams for your child?

9.   Are there hobbies, skills, or interests you would be willing to share with our class?

  10.  Can you think of ways I can do better at supporting your child's success in school?

Additional resources:

West Ed:  Back to School Strategies for Increasing Family Engagement

https://www.wested.org/wested-bulletin/insights-impact/thriving-schools-go-the-extra-mile-to-welcome-and-bond-with-parents-and-families/?utm_source=e-bulletin&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=2024-08-issue-1

Home Visits with Families who are Unhoused (5 minute video):