Unit I: Establishing Purpose and Understanding Context
Objectives
- Examine research to identify the benefits of family and community involvement.
- Build familiarity with Epstein's Framework of Six Types of Involvement.
- Analyze and reflect on the needs of your classroom and learners, including but not limited to: age group, demographics, dual language learners.
Examining Research
As educators, we know that establishing and maintaining respectful, supportive relationships with families and community members are a critical component of the work we do. Let's take a moment to build a common foundation of understanding as to why these relationships are so pivotal.
To use external links, you may wish to right click, or control click and open in a new tab or window.
- View the following videos that highlight:
- Read one of the following research briefs from the Harvard Family Research Project.
- You may select which brief to view based on what best describes the age level at which you teach.
Building Familiarity with Epstein's Framework
Here is an outline of Joyce Epstein's Six Types of Involvement. Which levels of involvement would be applicable and possible within your setting? For more information, please visit the link below. You may also wish to print the documents within the link to keep for your reference throughout the course, or leave it open within another window.
Epstein's Framework of Six Types of Involvement
Analyzing the Needs of Your Learners
When children come to school, they bring their families with them. Learning about the students who are in our classrooms will inherently help us to understand the families and communities that they come from. Before we move on to the next unit, take some time to consider different factors that will influence the types of family and community involvement that you will plan for in your setting.
Reflect and Respond
In the discussion tab, take a moment to reflect on:
- Using Epstein's Framework, describe what types of involvement are you currently implementing in your classroom, school, or program.
- After viewing the Classroom Culture Considerations Web, what are the specific needs that you need to address within your setting?