This engaging and rich resource details how schools and diverse families throughout the country have formed partnerships that support and enhance student learning. It is designed for teachers who care deeply about students and welcome diverse families as partners; for parents who want to be active partners in educating their children; and for administrators in diverse schools or districts who know there is no quick fix for building lasting partnerships among families, schools, and the community. Going far beyond traditional “parent involvement programs,” this essential volume: Offers exciting ways teachers and parents together can explore their rich and diverse cultural perspectives through storytelling and cultural memoir. Shows how to establish and sustain genuine dialogue at school conferences, open houses, and through classroom projects such as home–school journals. Suggests ways families, schools, and communities can collaborate for democratic schools and a more democratic society. Includes “Action Opportunities” throughout for readers to actively engage with the ideas and make them their own. Links these partnerships with research demonstrating that building respectful and trusting relationships leads to increased student achievement.

Nearly every reform effort espouses the importance of “parent involvement.” This research-based guide is essential reading for teachers and administrators who want to make welcoming classrooms a reality. With a focus on literacy instruction, it showcases stories of what works when teachers in elementary school classrooms throughout the country partner with families across cultural and language differences. The author showcases effective strategies that educators can adapt to fit their own school communities. This book is perfect for professional study groups, parent–teacher discussions, and whole-school workshops. This follow-up to JoBeth Allen’s bestselling Creating Welcoming Schools: Features up-to-date research on family involvement that has been shown to make a difference for students’ literacy learning. Demonstrates how teachers and families can collaborate through projects such as dialogue journals, photography and writing projects, and critical literacy inquiry. Details how to establish and sustain genuine dialogue through student-led, family-involved conferences. Offers exercises teachers can use with families, including a version in Spanish, downloadable at www.tcpress.com.

This engaging and rich resource details how schools and diverse families throughout the country have formed partnerships that support and enhance student learning. It is designed for teachers who care deeply about students and welcome diverse families as partners; for parents who want to be active partners in educating their children; and for administrators in diverse schools or districts who know there is no quick fix for building lasting partnerships among families, schools, and the community. Going far beyond traditional “parent involvement programs,” this essential volume: Offers exciting ways teachers and parents together can explore their rich and diverse cultural perspectives through storytelling and cultural memoir. Shows how to establish and sustain genuine dialogue at school conferences, open houses, and through classroom projects such as home–school journals. Suggests ways families, schools, and communities can collaborate for democratic schools and a more democratic society. Includes “Action Opportunities” throughout for readers to actively engage with the ideas and make them their own. Links these partnerships with research demonstrating that building respectful and trusting relationships leads to increased student achievement.

No matter how you start your day, What you wear when you play, Or if you come from far away, All are welcome here. Follow a group of children through a day in their school, where everyone is welcome. A school where children in patkas, hijabs, baseball caps and yarmulkes play side by side. A school where students grow and learn from each other's traditions. A school where diversity is a strength. Warm and inspiring, All Are Welcome lets young children know that no matter what, they have a place, they have a space, and they are welcome in their school. Engaging lyrical text and bright, accessible illustrations make this book a must for every child's bookshelf, classroom and library.

"At a time when schools are increasing attention to students' social and emotional development, this book gives educators practical strategies for supporting a specific segment of their population--highly mobile students. The practical guide also helps schools consider the experiences of parents in the school transition process"--

Discover how to create a sense of belonging and connection for your immigrant and refugee students. This timely book, written by four award-winning teachers, offers compelling stories and practical applications to help you reach your students in the classroom and beyond. Topics covered include advocacy, using literacy to create a welcoming environment, connecting with families, building staff capacity and best practices for virtual learning. You’ll also find easy-to-implement lesson plans, as well as reflection questions throughout to help you on your journey. Appropriate for K-12 teachers, English Learner specialists and school leaders, this inspiring and useful book will help you make the necessary changes to create more positive outcomes for your immigrant students.

Focuses on entries to a variety of schools.