MTV-A Whole School Approach K4-5 through Home School Connections (a Project GLAD Strategy)

Wanting an idea to get students and their families engaged in the student's learning?

Looking for a way to value the FUNDS OF KNOWLEDGE that students bring from their families and communities?

Desiring to assist and support students to make their thinking visible in and out of school?

Here is a quick idea-Home School Connections

What would it take for grade levels to collaborate weekly to send home a "Home School Connection" discussion prompt for kids?

Here is an example:

Tuesday Home School Connection	Conexion casa-escuela dia martes
Unit Study: Tropical Rainforests	Unidad de estudio: La selva tropical
Ask your family what they know about the tropical rain forest. Sketch, label and write about what your family member shared with you.	Pregunta a un miembro de tu familia de lo que sabe sobre la selva tropical. Dibuja, rotula y escribe lo que tu familiar compartió contigo.
Signatures Family Member_______________________ Student____________________________	Firmas Miembro de familia___________________ Alumno_____________________________

How it is used:
1. Prompt is discussed as a class and sent on Tuesdays, just once a week, embedded in content students are learning.
2. Prompt is sent home and collected daily through the next Monday (this reinforced responsibility and a growth mindset for those who cannot or do not submit on Wednesday)
3. Students can talk to ANYONE, including their pet in some cases, who is a member of their family or community (even a cashier at Walgreens or day care employee)
4. Students Sketch, Label and Draw below the table.
5. Information gathered through this method can be added to anchor charts in the classroom, including new/unknown language shared by families to discuss the topic.
6. Students can produce in Spanish or English

Thanks Project GLAD for creating strategies to help our students to make their thinking visible.