Research has shown the benefits of creating a welcoming environment for families. This lesson includes strategies for greeting and welcoming families.
Activities
Greeting and Welcoming Families
Greet Families at Drop-off/Pick-up times
Involve parents in the life of the school by greeting them at drop-off and pick-up times
http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/article/many-languages-many-cultures
(Module 1, Lesson 1 – What Happens When You Don’t Know Your Students: The importance of family background – Resource #2)
Create Welcome Signs
Make “Welcome!” signs for new families and students for the first time they visit the classroom (Module 1, Lesson 4 – Culturally Responsive Curriculum Ideas: Greetings in many languages and ways)
Welcome Table
Set up a welcome table at the front entrance of the school to ensure new families are greeted when they arrive. Coordinate with office staff to include welcoming materials about the school (such as flyers or handouts). You may also want to have parent and student greeters.
http://smhp.psych.ucla.edu/pdfdocs/welcome/welcome.pdf
http://smhp.psych.ucla.edu/pdfdocs/practicenotes/welcomingstrategies.pdf
(Module 1, Lesson 4 – Culturally Responsive Curriculum Ideas: Buddy Program – Resource #2)
Give Parents Your Contact Information
Provide parents with your (the teacher’s) contact information at the beginning of the school year. Creative suggestions include a bookmark, business card or magnet. Give this to parents the first time you meet them and make sure they know they can contact you with any questions or concerns.
https://theeducatorsroom.com/from-the-classroom-home-communicating-with-parents
(Module 2, Lesson 2, Reflecting on Your Goals – What is Empowering Communication and How Can I Achieve It?)
Smile When You See Parents
Smile when you see parents. Sometimes parents only occasionally see teachers, so make sure that your encounters with them are positive, warm and friendly
https://www.edutopia.org/blog/20-tips-developing-positive-relationships-parents-elena-aguila
(Module 2, Lesson 3 – Strategies to Improve Communication with Families: How Positive is My Communication with Families?)
Welcoming Second-Language Learners
Create Introductions in Students’ First Language
Ask a volunteer who speaks the child’s language to made an audio tape welcoming the student to class and explain what they need to bring, how to get to lunch, etc. Make sure to pronounce the child’s name correctly and teach the rest of the class, if possible.
http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/article/welcoming-second-language-learners
(Module 1, Lesson 2 – How Diverse Are We?: Reflecting upon the challenges of cultural and linguistic diversity – Resource #3)
Classroom Buddies
Assign the student a classroom buddy (preferably a bilingual buddy) to help get the child used to routines.
http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/article/welcoming-second-language-learners (Module 1, Lesson 2 – How Diverse Are We?: Reflecting upon the challenges of cultural and linguistic diversity – Resource #3)
https://www.teachers.net/gazette/JUN09/davies/index.html (Module 1, Lesson 4 – Culturally Responsive Curriculum Ideas: Buddy Program – Resource #6)
Student Identification Cards
Have students make identification cards that include their names, where they are from, native languages, grades, teachers and classrooms.
http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/article/welcoming-second-language-learners
(Module 1, Lesson 2 – How Diverse Are We?: Reflecting upon the challenges of cultural and linguistic diversity – Resource #3)
Give New ELL Students a Photo of the Class
Give newcomers a recent photo of the class that includes the names of all of the students
http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/article/welcoming-second-language-learners
(Module 1, Lesson 2 – How Diverse Are We?: Reflecting upon the challenges of cultural and linguistic diversity – Resource #3)
Provide ELL Students with Common English Phrases
25 key English phrases to help students learn, including: I don’t speak English, I speak a little English, Can you help me? May I use the bathroom? May I get a drink?
http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/article/welcoming-second-language-learners
(Module 1, Lesson 2 – How Diverse Are We?: Reflecting upon the challenges of cultural and linguistic diversity – Resource #3)
Display Greeting Signs in Other Languages
Display greeting signs in the languages spoken in your classroom (AFFECT Strategy in Module 1, Lesson 4 – Culturally Responsive Curriculum Ideas: Greetings in Many Languages and Ways)
Familiarize Yourself with Words in Other Languages
https://www.scholastic.com/teachers/lesson-plans/teaching-content/bringing-home-school/
(Module 1, Lesson 2 – How Diverse Are We?: Experiencing the Challenges of Linguistic Diversity – Resource #1)
Creating a Welcoming Environment for All Families
Bulletin Boards
1. Create a family bulletin board – teachers can post pictures of what occurred at school, students with their families, and perhaps teachers with their families as well
http://www.earlychildhoodnews.com/earlychildhood/article_view.aspx?ArticleID=359
(Module 2, Lesson 3 – Strategies to Improve Communication with Families: How Positive is My Communication with Families?)
2. Create a colorful and interesting parent bulletin board for your classroom. Post articles, class information and upcoming events. Consider highlighting a family each week or each month, with pictures and a short narration describing family members and their hobbies
(Module 2, Lesson 6 – Reflecting on Our Biases: Identify and Address Gaps in Teacher-Family Communication)
Create a Space for Families
Create a “Family Center”
Establish a designated area where family volunteers can come and feel welcome and comfortable by following the “suggested procedures” in Module 3, Lesson 4 – Ways to Engage Families at School: Family Center
Create a “home-like” Environment
Making your classroom feel like a home can help create a relaxing and inviting atmosphere for your students and families. Use this resource found under “suggested resources” in Module 3, Lesson 5 – Welcoming Parents into Schools
http://www.nea.org/tools/17573.htm