Chapter 1 — Developing Caring Relationships in Schools

Developing Caring Relationships with Your Students

Showing Interest in Each Student
Developing Caring Relationships with Special Populations

Developing Caring Relationships with Your Students’ Families

Understanding Your Students’ Family Backgrounds

Understanding the Strengths of Your Students’ Families

Understanding the Concerns of Your Students’ Families Summary

Chapter 2 — Skills for Communicating with Families

Communication Skills

Skills for Face-to-Face Communications

Skills for Written Communications

Considerations for Communicating with Diverse Types of Families

Considerations for Culturally/Linguistically Diverse Families

Considerations for Socioeconomically Diverse Families

Considerations for Families Raising Children with Different Abilities

Summary

Chapter 3 — Communicating with Families Throughout the School Year

Phone Communications

Purposes of Phone Communications

Advantages and Limitations

General Guidelines

What to Say in Phone Calls

How to Communicate During Phone Calls

Written Communications

Purposes of Written Communications

Advantages and Limitations

General Guidelines

What to Include in Written Communications

How to Create Written Communications

Electronic Communications

Purposes of Electronic Communications

Advantages and Limitations

General Guidelines

What to Include in Electronic Communications

How to Create Electronic Communications

Types of Written Communications

Disclosure Documents

Curriculum Plans

Newsletters

Homework

School-Home Notes

Progress Reports and Report Cards

Legal Documents

Summary

Chapter 4 — Communicating with Families in Meetings

Formal Meetings

Classroom Events (Back-to School Nights and Open Houses)

Teacher-Led Parent—Teacher Conferences

Student-Led Conferences

Individualized Education Program Meetings

Parent—Teacher Organization Meetings

Informal Meetings

School Visits (Hallway and Classroom Chats)

Home Visits

Parent Volunteers in Classrooms

Summary

Chapter 5 — Addressing Difficult Topics with Families

Academic Issues

What Are Academic Difficulties?

Support at School

Communicating with Parents

Social/Behavioral Issues

What Are Social/Behavioral Problems?

Support at School

Communicating with Parents

Child Abuse/Neglect

What Is Child Abuse and Neglect?

Reporting Abuse and Neglect

Support at School

Communicating with Parents

Bullying

What Is Bullying?

Support at School

Communicating with Parents

School Crises/Emergencies

What Are School Crises/Emergencies?

Crisis Response and Communication Plans

Communicating with Parents

Summary

Appendix — Templates and Reproducibles

Index

Teacher's Guide to Communicating with Parents, A: Practical Strategies for Developing Successful Relationships, 1st edition

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