Chapter 15: Parents as Partners in Twenty-First-Century Learning

Abstract

This chapter focuses on staying in contact with parents. Wormeli provides both a technological side and also more physical approaches. For technology, Wormeli explains how online teacher sites work and all the different ways they can be used (schedules, reminders, homework, quizzes, contact information, student samples, etc. There are a variety of them out there, and they all serve the same basic function: keeping parents up-to-date with what their child is doing in the classroom. Of course, not all parents are going to have internet in their homes. If that is the case, Wormeli suggests the following: sending postcards with a positive note about their child, inviting parents in the classroom, visit parents at home, send out quarterly newsletters, send out teacher report cards and surveys, and having both parents and students fill out index card inquiries.

Reflection

I really like the ideas in this chapter. I look forward to experimenting with a number of different sites that are out there. I want to make sure the parents of my students know what is going on at all times. I like the idea of parents and teachers working as a team instead of competing against one another. I also like the ideas that Wormeli gives for parents who may not have technology at home. My two favorite ones are postcards and quarterly newsletters. When you take the time to send a positive note to a parent, it shows them that you see their child as an individual, and not as part of a group. Newsletters are also important in keeping parents up-to-date. They are also tangible and can be hung up on refrigerators or cork boards.