1	Families as Partners In Language Education
2	What influence does the family have on a child’s language and literacy development? Research shows a family’s role is directly related to The child’s ability to communicate The child’s attitude toward reading and writing The child’s literacy achievement
3	Families “plant the seeds of literacy” by Encouraging language development by talking to their children interactively How many words per hour are heard in each of the following according to Hart and Risley? welfare homes 616 words working-class homes 1251 words professional homes 2153 words What does this mean?
4	Families “plant the seeds of literacy” by Providing planned and spontaneous encounters with print Reading with children Guiding and supporting attempts at reading and writing
5	Dilemmas Facing Modern Families High divorce rate (more stress) Increase in single-parent families (more stress) Employment of both parents (less time) Cycle of poverty and undereducation (passing it down) They don’t know how to be effective partners in language education.
6	How do teachers help families? Personal interactions Home visits Parent workshops Phone calls Conferences progress review conferences child-parent-teacher conferences student-led conferences specific problem conferences
7	How do teachers help families? Classroom Instructional Publications Informal weekly notes Newsletters, Emails Be a Professional Resource Share instructional materials (lending library, book bags) Offer guidance Connect families with community agencies
8	Literacy Links for Families http://www.tooter4kids.com/family_and_literacy.htm http://www.ed.gov/pubs/parents/LearnPtnrs/read.html http://www.ed.gov/pubs/CompactforReading/index.html
9	What about bilingual and second-language settings? Do not stereotype or make assumptions Help families feel comfortable in the school setting Recognize various cultural norms regarding schooling (Some cultures have an authoritarian view of schooling.) Encourage native language use. Expand our views of the roots of literacy (ex: oral storytelling) Provide workshops for families Remember, a child may be literate but still have difficulty with school literacy expectations.