F.I.S.H.Family Involvement
Starts Here
F.I.S.H. Objectives:
• Identify why family involvement is important in a child’s education.
• Identify several different methods for involving parents in their child’s education.
From the TEA Pre-K Guidelines:
Families: Critical Players in Children’s School Readiness and
Prekindergarten Experience
Why is family involvement
important?
Why should I make the effort?
• Parents are the first teachers
• Parents must be equal partners
• Learning does not stop outside the classroom.
• Don’t ask for parent involvement- expect it!
Family Involvement is not only about parents helping out in
the classroom.
• Setting the Stage for Success
• Daily Communication Folders
• Appropriate Homework
• Weekly Newsletters
• Buddy Bags
• Family Nights
• Class Websites
• Parent Conferences
• Parent Education Sessions
From the TEA Pre-K Guidelines
Early childhood teachers work in collaborative partnerships with families,
establishing and maintaining regular, frequent two way communication with ‐
children’s families.
Setting the Stage for Success
Parent Orientation
http://www.pre-kpages.com/prek_orient.html
http://www.pre-kpages.com/prek_faqs.html
•Prepare the Parents•F.A.Q.’s•Handouts
Setting the Stage for Success
How to Prepare the Parents:
1.Put parents at ease
2.Teach parents how to talk to their children about school
3.Share your policy onseparation anxiety.
Setting the Stage for Success
F.A.Q.’s: Frequently Asked Questions
•What if my child is sick? •What should my child wear to school? •Does my child need an extra change of clothes? •Do I need to purchase school supplies? •Can I bring treats to school for my child's birthday? •Do I need to send a snack to school with my child?•Will my child be taking a nap at school?•What is the best way to contact my child’s teacher?
http://www.pre-kpages.com/prek_faqs.html
Setting the Stage for Success
Handouts
•Letter from Teacher•Supply List•Student Information Sheet•Name Tags•Other
Daily Communication Folders
•What are they?
•What is their purpose?
•What is found in a BEAR book?
http://www.pre-kpages.com/bearbook.html
Appropriate Homework
•Name Bags•Skill Cards•Activities•Reading•Book Checkout System
Weekly Newsletters
•Computer generated•K.I.S.S.•Use clip-art•Consistency in layout•Save old newsletters •Proofread•Include contact info•Catchy title•E-mailing newsletters
The Lion Cub Friday, February 29, 2008
Teachers: Mrs. Levin & Mrs. Fertitta E-mail: [email protected] visit our website at www.pre-kpages.com
Coming Soon! Here are some important dates coming up in March: Wednesday March 12th Western Day! Friday, March 28th - Spring Picture Day!
More details about all these events will be listed in the newsletter soon.
No School
March 17th -24th Classes resume
Tuesday, March 25th
Book Order Please check your child’s BEAR book for the latest Scholastic book order. Book orders are due on Friday, March 7th Some of our favorite books are being offered this month: Only .95 Cents!
Rainbow Words Congratulations to those students who have learned all the green words! Please start practicing the yellow words at home with your child:
she by if an so was
Students will advance to the next color when
they have mastered the yellow words
Happy Birthday
Angel
Last Name Reminder Please help your child practice writing his or her last name each night at home. Remember, only the first letter is capitalized, the rest are all lowercase letters.
Buddy Bags
• What are Buddy Bags?
• What are companion characters?
• What goes in the bag?
• Where to find materials?
• How do you track them?
http://www.pre-kpages.com/buddy_bags.html
Family Nights
•Door prizes•Food•Invitations•Organized activities•Theme nights•Family photos
http://www.pre-kpages.com/familynight.html
Class Websites
•About Me Page•Your Philosophy•Class Schedule•Class Photos (check your district’s policy first)
•Homework Policy•FAQ’s/Handbook•Link to School Website•Links for Parents & Kids•Curriculum Information
Parent Conferences
•Scheduling•Preparing•Portfolios•Handouts/Packets•Reminders•Following-up
http://www.pre-kpages.com/conferences.html
Parent Education Sessions
•Registration
•Orientation
•Homework Night
•Literacy Night
•Math Night http://www.pre-kpages.com/prek_orient.htmlhttp://www.pre-kpages.com/homework.html
End of Year
•Library Info•Local Pool•Road Trip Tips•List of Top 100 Books•List of local places of interest•List of FREE things to do with kids
Summer Packet
•Calendar•Nursery Rhymes•Activities•Recipes•Supplies
Using Vista Print to Communicate
Enhancing parent communication:
•Business Cards•Magnets•Thank You Cards•Congratulations Cards•Back to School Checklists•Conference Scheduling & Reminders•Brochures•And Much More!
http://www.pre-kpages.com/vista_print.html
Review of Objectives
F.I.S.H. Objectives:
Identify why family involvement is important in a child’s education.
Identify several different methods for involving parents in their child’s education.