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Module 5 - Session 1

RETHINKING FAMILY ENGAGEMENT ACROSS LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS

Family and Community Engagement Across Learning Environments

Module 5 - Session 1 Program Cover - Father reading to his two children

GETTING STARTED

OVERVIEW

Welcome to TALE Academy Module 5: Family and Community Engagement Across Learning Environments!

Goal – The goal of this module is to help teachers expand their capacity for effectively engaging families and communities when teaching across learning environments (TALE).

Module Content – This module consists of 8 sessions on family and community engagement across learning environments. Each session contains a variety of content and learning activities.

Session Content – You are beginning Module 5 – Session 1: Rethinking Family Engagement Across Learning Environments.

MODULE WORKBOOK

Step 1: Create your personal copy of the Module 5 TALE Academy Workbook.

Throughout this session, you will complete the session activities and take notes in the Module 5 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 5 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 5 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 1 in the Module 5 TALE Academy Workbook.

Your last step is to review the key terms for Session 1. 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 can the knowledge, skills, and strategies I already effectively use to engage with families be adapted for teaching across learning environments?

  2. How can families be integrated into a student-centered learning environment?

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

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

  1. Identify potential opportunities for greater family engagement as a result of emergency remote teaching.

  2. Identify ways to encourage parents/communities to become involved in student-centered learning practices.

  3. Develop a family needs and communication preferences survey and plan for using the survey as part of a family engagement plan.

ENGAGE: ACTIVATE PRIOR KNOWLEDGE

LEARN FROM OTHERS: 
VOICES FROM THE FIELD

The following video highlights the reflections of New York State educators on rethinking family and community engagement across learning environments.

video thumbnail of teacher

WORKBOOK
ACTIVITY

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

  • In your copy of the Module 5 TALE Academy Workbook, complete Activity 5.1.1 – Past and Present.

If you have not already created your personal copy of the Module 5 TALE Academy Workbook, you can make a copy by clicking here.

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 5 – Session 1 READ, a magazine-style overview of the session topic with infographics and links to resources.

WATCH

Tune into our Module 5 – Session 1 WATCH, a narrated, animated video that provides an overview of the session topic.

LISTEN

Settle in for our Module 5 – Session 1 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 need to select only one of the choices, but you are welcome to explore all the resources!

Family engagement is critical for schools’ COVID-19 recovery efforts

Synopsis: This Brookings Report is an overview of the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on children and families based on parent and educator surveys. The report highlights trends in children's emotional well-being and mental health.

Time: 25 minutes

Can Family Engagement Be a Gamechanger for Education Post-COVID?

Synopsis: In this webinar, the Center for Universal Education at Brookings shares the results of a parent survey that seeks to understand such questions as “Will parents’ unprecedented exposure to children’s education shape their beliefs about what a good education looks like over the long term?” and “Can new forms of parent engagement be a gamechanger for education post-COVID-19?”

Format: Video

Time: 1 hour

Opinion Roundtable: Behind America’s Public School Battles

Synopsis: In this New York Times podcast episode, we hear from parents how they view the role of school. Three parents of public school students discuss the big questions underlying the new era of family engagement.

Format: Podcast

Time: 40 minutes

ESTABLISH: REFLECTION FOR ACTION

WORKBOOK ACTIVITY

  • Return to your copy of the Module 5 TALE Academy Workbook and complete Activity 5.1.2 – Centering Students, Centering Families.

  • If you have not already made your personal copy of the Module 5 TALE Academy Workbook, you can make a copy by clicking here.

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 5 TALE Academy Workbook and complete Activity 5.1.3 – Family Needs/Preferences Survey. If you have not already made your personal copy of the Module 5 TALE Academy Workbook, you can do so by clicking here.

Time: 20 minutes

ADDITIONAL 
RESOURCES

The Power of Community as a Catalyst to Tackle Disrupted Learning

Topic: Brookings Institute report, using examples from India and Bangladesh, on how organized communities can tackle challenges 

Format: Report

Time: 10 minutes

 

A Walk Through the Family Engagement Core Competencies 

Topic: A nationally agreed-upon set of professional competencies for family engagement from the National Association for Family, School, and Community Engagement  

Format: Video 

Time: 60 minutes

 

Homeroom with Education Leaders: Post-COVID-19 Parent Engagement

Topic: A discussion with educational leaders describing how parents can initiate conversations to make changes in their schools 

Format: Video

Time: 60 minutes

 

Strategies for Parent, Family, Student, and Community Engagement with K-12 Schools

Topic: Strategies to improve family, student, and community engagement in schools and innovative models in schools across the country

Format: Video

Time: 56 minutes

WRAP-UP & NEXT STEPS

This session gave you information and resources on rethinking family and community engagement across learning environments. In the next session of this module, you’ll explore the building blocks of family engagement: trust, transparency, and capacity.

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