Hello everyone and welcome to #EarlyLang! I’m your moderator for tonight along with my co-mod @MaCristinaRV. Tonight we're chatting about building relationships with our students’ parents and caregivers.
Before we get into our topic, let’s start with introductions. Tell us who you are, what and where you teach, and what was the highlight of your day? #EarlyLang
Hello, #earlylang! Lisa from CT here. Northeast NNELL rep, middle school French and Spanish. Highlight of my day was when my Spanish students laughed at my choice for La Foto del Día:
I'm Dorie and I teach Spanish, grades 1-3 in Glastonbury, CT. The highlight of my day hanging out with my kids -- my own children, not my students since I didn't have school today :)
#earlylang
Andrea I teach first grade Spanish in a dual language immersion public school in Loveland CO, highlight of my day a hug from a first grader during recess #EarlyLang
¡Buenas noches! I'm Cristina from Miami and I teach Spanish PK-5th. My highlight today was receiving a sweet valentine's day card from a student. The same card she was creating in Spanish class for someone special. Minus the Starburst which she ate! #earlylang
We're going to move on to question 1 in just a moment. We will be using a Q1/A1 format. So when answering Question 1, please include A1 in your answer. And don’t forget to use our hashtag #EarlyLang so we can all see your tweets.
If you're joining in late, feel free to introduce yourself before getting started so we can all get to know each other. Remember, I'm your mod for tonight and @MaCristinaRV is my comod! #earlylang
A1: At the start of the school year, a friendly phone call to introduce yourself as the child’s language teacher creates a positive rapport with the family. It's a great opportunity to obtain information on the child’s language background and proficiency level. #earlylang
Highlight today was receiving my annual review in which my division director (principal) showed she really understands language aquisition and teaching. I was having a really bad day and that turned it around.
A1 I consider parents and caregivers as educational partners. So I like to make contact with them early in the year and make sure they are familiar with our program. I like to ask how they think I can support their child's education and development. #earlylang
Full disclosure, that is so hard to do with the amount of students I have! I teach up to 9 classes. So while I would love to make individual phone calls to each one, it's usually just a mass email or @seesaw message. #earlylang
A1: I've found that by being engaging and enthusiastic in the classroom from Day One helps. For example, I had a parent approach me at Open House this past year, and told me, "Your class is the only one my daughter talks about at dinner." #earlylang
A1: #earlylang 1) home visits 2) Open house 3) Back to school night great opportunities to connect with parents all they care about is who the teacher is
A1: it all starts at Back to School Night. We inform stakeholders of expectations and open the lines of communication. We have Ss for us to 8 yrs in a row so the Ps get to know us well! Small classes help us get to know ea S very well. #earlylang
Seriously, I'll probably mention @seesaw a LOT this chat because it totally changed the way I communicate with parents. I highly recommend it and, no, this isn't a paid ad -jaja! #earlylang
In reply to
@suarez712002, @Seesaw, @ClassDojo, @Seesaw
For me the simple interface is a HUGE advantage. I don't waste time explaining how to use it with my students. And it's easy for parents too. #earlylang
A1 Welcome /welcome back letter at beginning of year, Open House, messages in our school newsletter & Facebook page are my go-tos, particularly at the beginning of the year #earlylang
A1 I also welcome any parent to come in & join class with their child, not too many take it up but it's always on offer. We did a 'Parent visit Wednesdays' several yrs back w our multiage classes & specials, had some great engagemt, but it petered out #earlylang
A2: I think showing them examples of their child using the language helps immensely. Sometimes they don’t know how to know what their kid knows or is able to do. “Speak French” is the worst prompt in the world. #earlylang
A2: At Open House, I send parents home with the following graphic, which I got from the @ProficiencyPath website. It helps parents see how their kids will advance throughout the year. #earlylang
I know parents and caregivers can be super busy like the rest of us, so I've started using infographics to help get the most important info to them. Here's a blog post I did that has some examples https://t.co/qoMpBn8IwQ#earlylang
A2 I have info about language learning, links, & an explanation of the program on our school website, which I refer parents to regularly; additionally, when I send home notes w kids, I try to include a tidbit about the 'why' and/or 'how' of what we are doing #earlylang
A2: I share an overview of the language program with all grade levels & it is available on the school’s website. This year, our school invited a language expert to inform the caregivers on the benefits of bilingualism & advocate for our early language program. #earlylang
I know parents and caregivers can be super busy like the rest of us, so I've started using infographics to help get the most important info to them. Here's a blog post I did that has some examples https://t.co/qoMpBn8IwQ#earlylang
In the past I used to invite parents to school to see a demo lesson so they could see how the whole class was conducted in comprehensible Spanish (not the kill and drill grammar they maybe experienced). I'd like to start doing that again. Maybe a @seesaw video? #earlylang
A2: #earlylang during back to school night I speak to parents for 2 minutes in Spanish so that they can get a taste of what their children will experience in my class
What gets me is when I bump into students and parents outside of school and the parents say to their kids, "Say something in Spanish!" I really don't like this; language is a SKILL, not a party trick. #earlylang
I think allowing them to experience it is so important. Just like their children, parents can think a class taught all in the target language is overwhelming, until they experience it and see how fun and comprehensible we can make it! #earlylang
A2: I'd love to invite parents to a presentation on language acquisition and quiz them using quizlet live, so they participate in that "learning activity" they hear so much about. #earlylang
A3: This is a tricky one. Ps often ask for resources - and I try to suggest ones with lots of audio inputs to allow Ss the opportunity to HEAR the language #earlylang
A3: If the parents or caregivers don’t speak the T2, I recommend language learning apps, YouTube channels, educational video programs, music playlists and apps like Epic! which have “read-to-me” features. Also, setting up playdates w/children who speak the T2. #earlylang
A3: here's the bottom part of an infographic I pass out during open house that gives caregivers some ideas on how they can help encourage their child. #earlylang
A3: This is tricky. I have long suggested @duolingo for kids to practice outside of school. I also list the YouTube channels I use in class so that kids can watch on their own. #earlylang
I also send home playlists of any YouTube songs we learn in L2. Not sure if they're loving or hating the fact that we are singing baby shark this week in our family unit. #earlylang
A3 The most important thing for me: have caregivers express support for the program & their child's learning TO THE CHILD. Expressing an interest in what their child is doing gives their kiddo confidence & motivation to continue learning. #earlylang
A3: My French students really like @1jour1actu. They may not be able to understand every word in the videos, but there is enough visual support throughout that they can follow along, pick up a few words, and get the main idea. #earlylang
My local library also has some good language learning resources other than books. Some are paid for subscriptions that families can access for free with their library card. It's worth checking to see if your libraries have access to anything. #earlylang
A3: I have playlists on our school website of videos & songs, I send home recommendations of books (both in Spanish but also about the target culture), recipes, crafts, etc that can be done at home #earlylang
A3: We have emergent bilinguals, English native speakers so we always encourage families to read in whatever language they are more comfortable with #earlylang Talk to your child about school, what did you do, can you teach me a song? What book did your teacher read?
Q4: How can we inform the adults in our #earlylang learners’ lives about classroom news, events, and learner progress?
But let's be real specific. How often? Do you have a template? How do you streamline it so it doesn't become overwhelming to you? Any down and dirty tips?
A4: I need to hear others' thoughts about this. For one of my classes, I sent home Class Dojo codes for every single student, and do you know how many parents responded? ONE. #earlylang
A4 For quite a while, we Specials team had our own Facebook page, which was great for short, frequent bursts of classroom news, links, etc. However, it was hard for the team to keep up, so we merged w the school one #earlylang
A4: Yes, I'll sound like a broken record... @seesaw! It makes it so easy to send quick updates. And because students can upload work themselves, parents can get a daily glimpse into our classroom. Also, having students curate their own portfolio means less work for me! #earlylang
Yes, I also advocate for working as a team. Many of us #earlylang teachers are the only ones in our schools, but find others to partner with. Classroom teachers, specials, or send things home in the school-wide newsletter.
A4: We have a proficiency-based report card with indicators related to the learner's proficiency and she is able to do with the language. Since there is no grade, parents focus on the functional ability #earlylang
That honestly is the best approach to homework. I don't assign any formal homework either, but give parents tips on how to spark conversation about the school day. Also, I always let students borrow any books from my Spanish library. #earlylang
A4: We place photos with captions on our course management system. Our school's amazing communications office is also good about sharing our news for the whole community via social media and/or the school website #earlylang
A4 At the end of each theme, I send home a note with our mini book & any other activities we've done telling parents about the theme, it's focus, & a little bit about some component of language learning or how class is structured #earlylang
I am SOOOOO grateful we don't have letter grades. Our report card states the proficiency goal in parent-friendly terms ("your student can speak in simple sentences on familiar topics") and then we just say if the Ss are"meeting", "approaching" or "beginning" #earlylang
A4 Our report card is based on ACTFL standards, proficiency based 4 pt scale; sent home 2x a yr; we also have conferences 2x a yr & I am always avail for parents to make an appt to talk about their kiddo #earlylang
A4: I use class dojo for news, events, and post pictures and videos of students at least twice a week. Their parents favorite: zumba in Spanish #earlylang love love @ClassDojo
There was a HUGE debate about if we should have a level above meeting or not (it was "exceeding". We ultimately decided against it and I'm glad we did. If a student consistently goes above and beyond, I add a written comment though. #earlylang
A5: Documenting and showing what are students can do with the language, showing how they use it, not just inside of our classrooms, but outside of school, too. #earlylang
A5 I think parents naturally become advocates when they see themselves as partners with the teachers and value the goals of the program. If we include families, honor their cultural backgrounds, empower their students, they will want to advocate for our programs. #earlylang
A5 Educating parents on the importance of lang learning is key, but also showing them how the lang can enrich their child's life & the joy it brings is also important #earlylang
A5: I think parents from other countries should have a mentor to teach them how to join PTA and other organizations it's so different in other countries #earlylang
Yes! Our ELL coordinator does a great program called Parents as Educational Partners (PEP) that teaches immigrant parents how to do things we take for granted (how to join PTA, how to call the main office to report your child absent, etc). #earlylang
A5: I think parents from other countries should have a mentor to teach them how to join PTA and other organizations it's so different in other countries #earlylang
A5 In many districts, winning over doubting parents can be challenging. I've found being kind & non confrontational has been a successful way to blunt "my kid can't even read English yet' comments, etc #thankfullynotmanylikethat#earlylang
For elementary, all subject areas are graded that way. Thats just for academic achievement. Then there are behavioral things (participates, is respectful, etc) that are graded as consistently, usually, rarely, etc #earlylang
When I first got out of school, I worked at a refugee center doing a similar thing, but for getting around town, going on a job interview, how to write a check, you name it... it's so incredibly necessary! #earlylang
RF: I continue to want to be more consistent in putting stuff in our school newsletter-by around this time of year I start to flag! This is encouraging me to get back at it! #earlylang
We are a biweekly chat, so our next #earlylang chat will be on Wed, Feb 27 8:00pm ET. And remember, we base the theme of our chats off of your suggestions and votes, so be sure to follow @earlylang for announcements and submit topics you’d like to discuss!
