1. Maintaining Home-School Communication and Relationships Lydia Jackson Grade 3 EDIM510 Wilkes University http://www.flickr.com/photos/seandreilinger/3340467206/
2. Why? Keeps parents notified of upcoming events in the school and classroom Provides a homework reminder option Builds bridges between teacher-parent and parent-child relationships
3. Tip #1: Online Communication Classroom e-mail distribution list Helpful for homework and project reminders Information given can be easily tracked Classroom website/blog Free blogs keep parents connected Publish student work http://www.flickr.com/photos/mcvay728/20880513/
4. Tip #2: Written Communication Classroom Newsletter Keeps parents connected to classroom happenings Can be also be sent as an e-mail attachment Encouraging Notes Try to send an encouraging note on each child at least twice a school year Uplifts the student Image retrieved from Discovery Education
5. Tip #3: Family Involvement Opportunities Family Projects (elementary minded) Assign a “family project” once every 1-2 months Not worth a grade Allows families to work together Involvement Suggestions Helpful hints/activities included in newsletter http://www.flickr.com/photos/evilerin/3565026821/
6. Ideas/Resources Classroom blog site suggestions: www.blogger.com www.blogspot.com www.wikispaces.com www.wetpaint.com http://www.flickr.com/photos/izzymunchted/1419115048/
7. Ideas/Resources Family Project Ideas: Making a Valentine’s card for a child in the hospital Helping a neighbor out with a task and journaling about it Finding trash around the house and turning it into something useful http://www.flickr.com/photos/jacquedavis/3266410941/