Inviting Family Members Into the Classroom

Bringing families and community members into the mix when considering literacy instruction is a new concept for me. When I think back to my primary school years, I have a difficult time remembering any interaction between my parents and my teachers concerning literacy. Though I understand that I might not have been privy to those conversations, it is apparent to me that this type of instruction, at school and at home, did not make a lasting mark on my memories of primary school literacy education.

In the article, Every Mark on the Page: Educating Family and Community Members about Young Children’s Writing, Kate Foley Cusumano gives examples of how to bring families and community members into the classroom for instruction on how to assist children as they move towards becoming effective writers. I can only imagine that it is quite easy for parents to be drawn towards the mistakes that are made in young children’s writing; however, Cusumano makes a strong argument against focusing on their mistakes. Instead, she contends that parents should praise their children’s strengths and work with their children in a constructive manner that reinforces good choices and allows for creativity. It’s also eye opening to read Cusumano’s assessment of the student’s piece that she describes in detail in the article. She makes it quite clear that when a young child’s writing is just glanced at, it can easily be dismissed as below average, when in reality there are many positives that are signs of a young child making great progress towards proficiency in writing. This is where an effective use of newsletters, writing workshops and family-teacher conferences can make all the difference in a young students journey towards literacy. As an educator, informing family members of your methods and expectations is a powerful tool.

I find that this article is not only helpful for me to think about my literacy instruction as a future teacher, but helpful in all aspects of the classroom. Whether it is literacy, mathematics, science, or social studies, students can benefit from family members that take an active role in their child’s education. Parents can be a game-changer in a child’s life in so many ways, none of which are more important than in their education. Primary school teachers are afforded only a small amount of time to assist children in making colossal leaps in their education, but parents and other family members can help move students in the right direction.

A relationship like this, between teacher and family members, can only exist if the teacher is confident enough and willing to invite them into the classroom. This seems like a difficult task for a first year teacher; however, examples such as the ones laid out in Cusumano’s article, make educating family members about young children’s writing a necessity.