1. The document discusses various ways to increase parental involvement in middle school literacy. It outlines 9 specific strategies schools have used: 1) having parents write about their children, 2) hosting family conversations about books and current events, 3) student-led conferences, 4) showcasing student work, 5) book clubs for parents and students, 6) field trips for students and parents, 7) guest speakers, 8) parent visiting days, and 9) responding to community issues. 2. The strategies aim to improve communication between schools, parents, and students regarding student learning and literacy. They provide opportunities for parents to engage with their child's education and for feedback from all parties on the student's strengths and areas for

1. 1
Parents as Partners in
Middle School
Karen Caine
NCTE 2010
karencaine@gmail.com

2. 2
Parents as Partners in
Middle School Literacy
How do parents see their role?
How does school personnel see the role of
parents?
How do students see parental involvement in
literacy in middle school?

3. 3
What is happening
CURRENTLY?
Middle school parent involvement significantly
less than in elementary school.
School personnel communicate with parents
regarding three factors:
1) grading and evaluation
2) general communication regarding policy
3) fundraising

4. 4
1. The Million Words
Project - Deborah Bora
“In a million words or less, tell us about your
child...”
Parents talked about the expected and the
unexpected.
65%-90% return rate
In cases where written English was not strong,
parents dictated to students

5. 5
Excerpts...
Seems very secure but always compares
himself to his sister who is older, makes
friends easily and does better in school...has
ADD but cannot take medication...
Simon had a tragedy in his life two years
before we moved here and it still frightens him
at the night...
Parker is obsessed with music...

6. 6
2. Family
Conversation/Talk About
It
In the news
“This I Believe” essays
Would you rather?
Book of Lists

7. 7
3. Student Led
Conferences
Students discuss what they have learned,
areas of strength, and areas of challenge
Teachers discuss the same
Parents are afforded time with the teacher
alone

8. 8
What are the benefits?

9. 9
4. Showcase Student
Work
A few students each month
One grade at a time
The whole school

10. 10
GetSparked.org -
like projects
like projects

11. 11
5. Book Clubs - Parents,
Students, or Both
ONE BOOK, ONE SCHOOL, ONE
COMMUNITY - Katrina Hatch, Reading
Specialist, Caledonia - Mumford Middle
School

12. 12
PEAK, by Roland Smith

13. 13
SEER OF SHADOWS,
by Avi

14. 14
Community Members
Lead Book Discussions

15. 15
What’s your story, Cal-
Mum?

16. 16
Student-Parent Field
Trips

17. 17
6. Guest Speakers

18. 18
7. Parent Visiting Days
Parents can visit at any point in the day and
are encouraged to do so.
There is coffee and a staff member who greets
parents and a short video clip for parents to
watch when they are not in the classrooms
Nametags are provided and conversation is
encouraged among parents

19. 19
8. Response to
Community Issues
Suicide prevention
Bullying issues
Other community or early teen issues

20. 20
Society for Prevention of
Teen Suicide
“Two representatives for the Society of Teen
Suicide spoke on Wednesday, October 7,
2010. The presentation was entitled, Not My
Kid, What Every Parent Should Know About
Youth Suicide...”
Ridgewood.Patch.com

21. 21
9. Helping the Local
Community
On-going projects
One time projects
Projects that align with curriculum
Projects that are not directly related to
curriculum

22. 22
Ways to Begin
Schools become more involved in local
community and see where this leads
Hold an informal meeting with parents and ask
them how they would like to be partners with
the school in terms of literacy
Identify parental interests and abilities

23. 23
Considerations
Give parents or students something for
attending the activity.
Invite or work with only a small group of
students and parents at one time - for example
grade level activities
Single gender activities

24. 24
Further Study
Website:
middleweb.com (google search parent
involvement & literacy)
Books
Beyond the Bakesale: The Essential Guide
to Family/School Partnerships by Anne T.
Henderson, Don Davies, Vivian R Johnson,
& Karen L Mapp
At NCTE