Partners in Learning: Parents & Guardians
As students and I begin each semester building a supportive network in our classroom, there is also another 'classroom' in which students spend a large part of their day. This 'classroom'--their home and places of community service and activity--presents an incredible opportunity for students to take their learning beyond school. The opportunities that arise through each student's experiences at home and in the community also have the potential to inform their learning at school.
Educational researcher, John Hattie (2009), has found that parents' and guardians' hopes for their children's education has a large, positive impact on their learning. Given this, it's important to me that I learn from parents and guardians how I can best support them in helping their children reach their full potential.
To help gain some insights as to how we can work together to supporting student learning, I have crafted an introductory survey that you can take to share your aspirations for your son's/daughter's school experience. The survey is voluntary and individual survey results will remain confidential. In addition to gaining your personal insights, I believe that there is also great benefit in identifying themes that arise from our parent community. Some of these themes, periodically, will be shared through this webpage such that you also have the opportunity to learn from other parents.
Thank you for your participation in this survey.
Sincerely Yours,
Mr. C. Stewart, OCT
Educational researcher, John Hattie (2009), has found that parents' and guardians' hopes for their children's education has a large, positive impact on their learning. Given this, it's important to me that I learn from parents and guardians how I can best support them in helping their children reach their full potential.
To help gain some insights as to how we can work together to supporting student learning, I have crafted an introductory survey that you can take to share your aspirations for your son's/daughter's school experience. The survey is voluntary and individual survey results will remain confidential. In addition to gaining your personal insights, I believe that there is also great benefit in identifying themes that arise from our parent community. Some of these themes, periodically, will be shared through this webpage such that you also have the opportunity to learn from other parents.
Thank you for your participation in this survey.
Sincerely Yours,
Mr. C. Stewart, OCT
Survey: Partners in Learning
Survey Themes
To be posted, periodically, over the course of the year. Please refer back to this page for updates.
A Few Tips to Supporting Student Learning
Here are a few tips, from the Ontario Ministry of Education, regarding how parents can help support student learning:
- 'Helping' can come in many forms: "...listening, reacting, praising, guiding, mentoring, discussing, and ... asking questions that elicit conversation all count."
- You can have the greatest impact on your son's or daughter's "...learning by talking to them about their interests and experiences ..."
- You might find "...'homework' to mean not only work done along, but also interactive assignments shared with others at home or in the community."
- Dr. Christine Suurtamm (Associate Professor of Mathematics, University of Ottawa) describes the importance and positive impact (on student learning) of communicating math messages to parents (i.e., "What's going on in math class?"/see video, below)
- You might consider referring to the document (below) and other EduGains resources for tips on supporting your son or daughter in Mathematics.
References
Hattie, J. (2009). Visible learning: A synthesis of over 800 meta-analyses relating to achievement. New York, NY: Routledge.
Parent engagement: Working with families/supporting student learning. (2012, October 1). Retrieved June 15, 2015, from https://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/literacynumeracy/inspire/research/CBS_parentEngage.pdf
Parent engagement: Working with families/supporting student learning. (2012, October 1). Retrieved June 15, 2015, from https://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/literacynumeracy/inspire/research/CBS_parentEngage.pdf