The Essential Conversation

The Essential Conversation
Author: Sara Lawrence-Lightfoot
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Total Pages: 290
Release: 2004-09-28
Genre: Family & Relationships
ISBN: 0345475801

With the insights she has gleaned from her close and subtle observation of parent-teacher conferences, renowned Harvard University professor Sara Lawrence-Lightfoot has written a wise, useful book about the ways in which parents and teachers can make the most of their essential conversation—the dialogue between the most vital people in a child’s life. “The essential conversation” is the crucial exchange that occurs between parents and teachers—a dialogue that takes place more than one hundred million times a year across our country and is both mirror of and metaphor for the larger cultural forces that define family-school relationships and shape the development of our children. Participating in this twice-yearly ritual, so friendly and benign in its apparent goals, parents and teachers are often wracked with anxiety. In a meeting marked by decorum and politeness, they frequently exhibit wariness and assume defensive postures. Even though the conversation appears to be focused on the student, adults may find themselves playing out their own childhood histories, insecurities, and fears. Through vivid portraits and parables, Sara Lawrence-Lightfoot captures the dynamics of this complex, intense relationship from the perspective of both parents and teachers. She also identifies new principles and practices for improving family-school relationships. In a voice that combines the passion of a mother, the skepticism of a social scientist, and the keen understanding of one of our nation’s most admired educators, Lawrence-Lightfoot offers penetrating analysis and an urgent call to arms for all those who want to act in the best interests of their children. For parents and teachers who seek productive dialogues and collaborative alliances in support of the learning and growth of their children, this book will offer valuable insights, incisive lessons, and deft guidance on how to communicate more effectively. In The Essential Conversation, Sara Lawrence-Lightfoot brings scholarship, warmth, and wisdom to an immensely important cultural subject—the way we raise our children.

What School Could Be

What School Could Be
Author: Ted Dintersmith
Publisher: Princeton University Press
Total Pages: 261
Release: 2018-04-10
Genre: Education
ISBN: 069118061X

An inspiring account of teachers in ordinary circumstances doing extraordinary things, showing us how to transform education What School Could Be offers an inspiring vision of what our teachers and students can accomplish if trusted with the challenge of developing the skills and ways of thinking needed to thrive in a world of dizzying technological change. Innovation expert Ted Dintersmith took an unprecedented trip across America, visiting all fifty states in a single school year. He originally set out to raise awareness about the urgent need to reimagine education to prepare students for a world marked by innovation--but America's teachers one-upped him. All across the country, he met teachers in ordinary settings doing extraordinary things, creating innovative classrooms where children learn deeply and joyously as they gain purpose, agency, essential skillsets and mindsets, and real knowledge. Together, these new ways of teaching and learning offer a vision of what school could be—and a model for transforming schools throughout the United States and beyond. Better yet, teachers and parents don't have to wait for the revolution to come from above. They can readily implement small changes that can make a big difference. America's clock is ticking. Our archaic model of education trains our kids for a world that no longer exists, and accelerating advances in technology are eliminating millions of jobs. But the trailblazing of many American educators gives us reasons for hope. Capturing bold ideas from teachers and classrooms across America, What School Could Be provides a realistic and profoundly optimistic roadmap for creating cultures of innovation and real learning in all our schools.

Confident Parents, Confident Kids

Confident Parents, Confident Kids
Author: Jennifer S. Miller
Publisher: Fair Winds Press
Total Pages: 192
Release: 2019-11-05
Genre: Family & Relationships
ISBN: 1631597752

Confident Parents, Confident Kids lays out an approach for helping parents—and the kids they love—hone their emotional intelligence so that they can make wise choices, connect and communicate well with others (even when patience is thin), and become socially conscious and confident human beings. How do we raise a happy, confident kid? And how can we be confident that our parenting is preparing our child for success? Our confidence develops from understanding and having a mastery over our emotions (aka emotional intelligence)—and helping our children do the same. Like learning to play a musical instrument, we can fine-tune our ability to skillfully react to those crazy, wonderful, big feelings that naturally arise from our child’s constant growth and changes, moving from chaos to harmony. We want our children to trust that they can conquer any challenge with hard work and persistence; that they can love boundlessly; that they will find their unique sense of purpose; and they will act wisely in a complex world. This book shows you how. With author and educator Jennifer Miller as your supportive guide, you'll learn: the lies we’ve been told about emotions, how they shape our choices, and how we can reshape our parenting decisions in better alignment with our deepest values. how to identify the temperaments your child was born with so you can support those tendencies rather than fight them. how to align your biggest hopes and dreams for your kids with specific skills that can be practiced, along with new research to support those powerful connections. about each age and stage your child goes through and the range of learning opportunities available. how to identify and manage those big emotions (that only the parenting process can bring out in us!) and how to model emotional intelligence for your children. how to deal with the emotions and influences of your choir—the many outside individuals and communities who directly impact your child’s life, including school, the digital world, extended family, neighbors, and friends. Raising confident, centered, happy kids—while feeling the same way about yourself—is possible with Confident Parents, Confident Kids.

Positive Parent-teacher Conferences

Positive Parent-teacher Conferences
Author: Nicholas Peter Georgiady
Publisher:
Total Pages: 40
Release: 2002
Genre: Education
ISBN:

Discusses methods of using parent-teacher conferences for evaluation of sucessful students as well as those needing help.

The First Six Weeks of School

The First Six Weeks of School
Author: Mike Anderson
Publisher:
Total Pages: 297
Release: 2015
Genre: Education
ISBN: 9781892989819

This second edition of a teacher favorite features a fresh, easy-to-use layout including color coding by grade level, more support for student engagement in academics, greater emphasis on the effective use of teacher language, and a dedicated chapter on the all-important first day of school.

Book Fiesta!

Book Fiesta!
Author: Pat Mora
Publisher: Harper Collins
Total Pages: 42
Release: 2009-03-10
Genre: Juvenile Fiction
ISBN: 0061288772

Take a ride in a long submarine or fly away in a hot air balloon. Whatever you do, just be sure to bring your favorite book! Rafael López's colorful illustrations perfectly complement Pat Mora's lilting text in this delightful celebration of El día de los niños/El día de los libros; Children's Day/Book Day. Toon! Toon! Includes a letter from the author and suggestions for celebrating El día de los niños/El día de los libros; Children's Day/Book Day. Pasea por el mar en un largo submarino o viaja lejos en un globo aerostático. No importa lo que hagas, ¡no olvides traer tu libro preferido! Las coloridas ilustraciones de Rafael López complementan perfectamente el texto rítmico de Pat Mora en esta encantadora celebración de El día de los niños/El día de los libros. ¡Tun! ¡Tun! Incluye una carta de la autora y sugerencias para celebrar El día de los niños/El día de los libros. The author will donate a portion of the proceeds from this book to literacy initiatives related to Children's Day/Book Day. La autora donará una porción de las ganancias de este libro a programas para fomentar la alfabetización relacionados con El día de los niños/El día de los libros.

Making a To-Do List

Making a To-Do List
Author: IntroBooks Team
Publisher: IntroBooks
Total Pages: 23
Release: 2019-12-04
Genre: House & Home
ISBN:

When there are too many tasks to do, it is easy to get perplexed. Between the personal obligation and work responsibility, life may get stressful and we can forget the important tasks. Making a to-do list keeps one organized while you do not forget something important. An organized to-do-list can help to prioritize certain tasks and so it is important to rank the activities properly. Keep track of the things to be finished within the deadline and feel more productive. A busy person like an entrepreneur needs to handle several tasks and if he forgets even a single one, there can be problems. By preparing a to-do-list, he may ensure that he focuses on the right tasks and be productive in the meanwhile. New entrepreneurs who break new grounds or learn with trial and error, they need to prepare to-do-list to focus on the important tasks. Around 80% of the population now create to-do-list as it is a powerful tool. But, the list of tasks at hand shouldn’t be torture to follow, or rather it shouldn’t drain one’s energy. Drive out the pattern of negative thoughts and use it to your advantage.

Focus on Parent-Teacher Conferences

Focus on Parent-Teacher Conferences
Author: Alice L. Hamachek
Publisher: Michigan Assn Middle
Total Pages: 32
Release: 1984
Genre: Parent-teacher conferences
ISBN: 9780918449009

This handbook for teachers on conducting a successful parent-teacher conference offers suggestions on: (1) key factors of a successful conference; (2) kinds of individual conferences; (3) creating a positive conference environment; (4) preparing for the conference; (5) conducting the conference; (6) concluding the conference; (7) following the conference; and (8) evaluating the conference. The major points are briefly summarized and some questionable practices in parent-teacher conferencing are pointed out. The appendix includes a sample of a school district's parent guide and a sample form for summarizing a parent-teacher-student conference. (JD)

Student-Driven Differentiation

Student-Driven Differentiation
Author: Lisa Westman
Publisher: Corwin Press
Total Pages: 252
Release: 2018-04-19
Genre: Education
ISBN: 1506396550

Full of just-in-time, step-by-step guidance, this book shows you how to incorporate student voice and choice in the process of planning for student-driven differentiation. This unique approach is based on building collaborative student-teacher relationships as a precursor to student growth. Organized into three parts for quick reference, this book Identifies the criteria for positive teacher-student relationships Examines four areas for differentiated learning – content, process, product, environment Describes the process of planning and implementing student-driven differentiation Motivates and supports you in your student-driven differentiation journey Provides unique examples and engaging vignettes throughout, including a fun project inspired by Shark Tank!

Partnering with Parents to Ask the Right Questions

Partnering with Parents to Ask the Right Questions
Author: Luz Santana
Publisher: ASCD
Total Pages: 246
Release: 2016-09-19
Genre: Education
ISBN: 1416622675

How can we make it easier for schools and families to work together on behalf of all students? It all begins by tapping into the different strengths educators and parents and caregivers can contribute to building a strong partnership. Partnering with Parents to Ask the Right Questions, by Luz Santana, Dan Rothstein, and Agnes Bain of the Right Question Institute, presents a deceptively simple strategy for how educators can build effective partnerships with parents—especially those who typically have not been actively involved in their children's schooling. It distills complex, important ideas on effective civic participation into an easy-to-learn process that teaches parents two fundamental skills they can use to support the education of their children, monitor their progress, and advocate for them: asking better questions and participating effectively in key decisions. Based on more than two decades of work and research in a wide range of low- and moderate-income communities, this book empowers overburdened and under-resourced educators and parents to work together and achieve their common goal of successful students. This indispensable guide includes case studies spanning K–12 classrooms, and it explores ways to assist struggling students, collaborate on IEPs, and communicate with families of English language learners. The accessible and easy-to-use format, field-tested advice, and vivid examples from schools that put the advice into practice make this a must-have for everyone from the classroom to the central office.