ELL Families and Schools

Kareen Brammer

Grand Canyon University: SEI English Language Teaching: Foundations and Methodology

Nov 4, 2012Shannon Riley

ELL Families and Schools

Introduction

Building Bridges through Family and Cultural Awareness

Never before has it been so important that academics extend beyond the walls of the classroom to become inclusive in all aspect of a child's life. When we search to understand how, why and what children learn, we must consider their culture, family and community. We build the bridges to carry our children to a brighter future.

According to Echovirus, (as cited in Caps et al., 2005) “educators in American schools must seek out ways to meet the needs of changing classrooms, because one in every five students in the United States is an English learner.” Due to constant changes in demographics, the classroom is a place of diversity and learning and becomes relevant only when everyone, who has a stake in education, comes together (2008).

Discussion

Programs and Methodologies

There are several programs available to teachers to engage families in shared literacy projects. If one is unable to find one to meet his/her needs, it is easy to work with others in a school to develop a program; the reward will be triumphant for both students and teachers. According to an article, Welcoming Families, Diane Baron states, “ a project in shared reading and supporting strategy with families is a difficult project; however, when families share in a school program that abound in linguistic diversity it becomes a vital part of the school and community” (2011).

Building Partnerships in Education in the Dallas Area

Dallas ISD, school-home-community program began in 1969, when an offer to donate time and resources came from the National Council of Jewish Women. The program continues to expand, adding new services every year. In 1981-1982, Positive Parents of Dallas came together to provide various services in schools and homes, however, the program that promotes the home to school program for ELLs is the Greater Dallas Hispanic Chamber which collaborates in education programs. Community Relations provides centralized support and assist schools and families with the implementation of new programs. The Federal Reserve Bank sponsors one of the most successful intervention program in the metropolis; it take a village which addresses health and other issues.

Why Family Involvement is Important

***According to Baron (as cited in Hirsch et al, 2011), “Learning to be literate is certainly more complex than just learning reading and writing skills for it ...