Module 4: What is Family Engagement (9/14-9/20)

Contents

Module Objectives

In this module you will:

  • Reflect upon your family’s involvement and engagement in your education
  • Evaluate practices that support engaging with families
  • Identify how infant teachers can engage with families for infants and toddlers

Assignment #1

This assignment has 2 parts:

Part 1: To help us get to know each other, go to FlipGrid (https://flipgrid.com/0b2a98ab your login is your first name as it appears on CUNY First) and answer the following questions:

  1. Would you rather always win pie-eating contests or always win wheelbarrow races?
  2. Would you rather be a deep sea diver or an astronaut?
  3. Would you rather be able to hear any conversation or take back anything you say?
  4. Would you rather be invisible or be able to read minds?
  5. Would you rather be the most popular or the smartest person you know?
  6. Would you rather be the sand castle or the wave?
  7. Would you rather give up your computer or your pet?
  8. Would you rather never use the internet again or never watch TV again?
  9. Would you rather not be able to use your phone or your e-mail?
  10. Would you rather be on Big Brother or Survivor?

Reply to 2 videos!

Part 2:  Reflect on and answer the questions below:

  1. How was your family involved in your education in pre-k through high school?
  2. What did your teachers and school staff (pre-K through high school) do to involve your family in your education?
  3. What barriers or obstacles prevented your family from being more involved in your education?
  4. What could your teachers and school staff (pre-K through high school) have done to facilitate your family’s involvement in your education?

CLICK HERE TO ANSWER THE QUESTIONS

Assignment #2

Read Halgunseth (2009)

Family Engagement Halgunseth (2009)

Watch TAPS Partnerships with Families: Part 1 (2012) (I suggest completing this handout as you watch the video)

Cite the reading and video in your answers to the questions below:

  1. Was your family involved in or engaged with your teachers and school staff (pre-K through high school)? Did you family have a partnership with your teachers and school staff? Explain specifically how you know.
  2. Whose responsibility is it to ensure families engage their baby’s program and that  partnerships develop between the families and infant teachers? Why?
  3. How can infant teachers form partnerships with families who have babies? List specific ideas that no one has introduced yet!
  4. What could prevent families from engaging with or partnering with infant teachers and program staff? What can infant teachers do about those barriers?

Respond to 2 other comments!