Parent / Community

Parent / Community

Books

Videos

Books

Title

Nurturing the Parent-Teacher
Author Frank Howe and Betty Jo Simmons
Publisher Phi Delta Kappa Educational Foundation
Copyright 2005
Description The importance of productive, ongoing involvement with parents is clear and readily acknowledged by most teachers.  The purpose of this fastback is to provide guidelines for proactive leadership on the part of the teachers as they seek to improve student achievement by cultivating a partner with the most significant adults in the child’s life.
Reference Number PC101FB

 

Videos

Title

Family Matters: Listening To America
Author Bill Moyers
Publisher Films for the Humanities and Sciences
Copyright
Description This program explains why America has become an unfriendly culture for families and children and explores ways to rebuild a web of support for families.  Discusses some practical steps needed to create a more hospitable social climate for families.  The program also visits parents in San Diego who are struggling with some of the problems affecting the quality of parents’ and children’s lives.
Reference Number PC001

 

Title

Family in Crisis: A Phil Donahue Show
Author Phil Donahue
Publisher Films for the Humanities and Sciences
Copyright
Description This program centers on the plight of poor children growing up in single parent households.  It examines the problems facing children who are growing up without fathers in a seemingly irreversible cycle of poverty that especially affects minority families.  Possible solutions are discussed, including stabilizing the family unit by providing jobs to untrained and semi-skilled men.  These men must be reached in childhood with a mixture of emotional support and vocational training made available through governmental and private intervention.
Reference Number PC002

 

Title

Program In A Box: Parental Involvement
Author Dorothy Rich
Publisher PDK Foundation
Copyright
Description
Reference Number PC003

 

Title

How Families Help Children Learn
Author Dorothy Rich
Publisher Video J
Copyright 1995
Description Program 1 – Mobilizing Parents to Help Their ChildrenThis videotape is built upon four themes or cornerstones:

  1. Families need to nurture learning.
  2. Every parent is the child’s first teacher
  3. Partnerships are vital between families and educators.
  4. Programs can provide training to families.

A summary of the essential attributes important for successful parent involvement programs are presented:

  •  Focus on the unique educational role of the family.
  •  Provide parents with specific help and practical activities.
  •  Prepare environment: offer transportation if necessary; provide child care and food; be punctual with beginning and ending; have meeting place comfortable and non-threatening; start groups even if they are small; schedule meetings to be convenient.
  •  Recognize the professional contribution of teachers and the vital and caring role of parents.

Program 2 – Home Activities for Learning

A sampling of successful home learning activities is provided for families to help their children.

A preview of “Home Recipes for Learning” is presented from the MegaSkills© program.  The ten MegaSkills© include: Confidence, Motivation, Effort, Responsibility, Initiative, Perseverance, Caring, Teamwork, Common Sense, and Problem Solving.

Learning activities crated at home ideally meet the following MegaSkills© criteria:

  •  Tie them to schoolwork but not to schoolwork.
  •  Keep them serious but fun at the same time.
  •  Have a teachable focus.
  • Have them be easy to do, take little time, and cost little or no money.
Reference Number PC406