What is component 4c and why do we need it?
Component 4c of Danielson's Framework is all about communicating with families. Families and parent figures play a very crucial role in the education and learning of students. Students come from many diverse backgrounds and families; some have present and involved parents, while others may not have involved parents, or even parent(s) at all. It is the responsibility, regardless of situation, for the teacher to provide and maintain opportunities and ways for parents to be involved in the learning process and have a knowledge of what is occurring in the classroom. Although parents tend to be more involved at earlier stages in a student's academic career, particularly in elementary education, it is important that parents still remain some degree of involvement with their children and knowledge of what occurs in the class. Not only is it important, it helps build trust and relationships with both students and parents.
What are the elements?
Component 4c is comprised of 3 elements: information about the instructional program, information about individual students, and engagement of families in the instructional program. Information about the instructional program means that, when appropriate, the teacher communicates with parents about what events are happening in the classroom, what are some ways they can help, information that requires their attention, etc. This communication can also be important about events that they should attend or must sign release forms, like field trips, concerts, parent-teacher conferences, open houses, etc. Information about individual students means that the teacher communicates to parents information that pertains only to that student, like grades, behavior, needs for help at home, ways to aid their learning, tutoring, etc. This information is really important to parents knowing how their child is performing and learning. This is the area that can cause students to suffer if parents are not involved. With involved parents, they can motivate students and provide help that the teacher can not provide at home, necessarily. It is important that the teacher finds ways to get help to students, either from outside work or parents help at home. Engagement of families in the instructional program means that the teacher finds ways to have parents involved in the class and outside the class. In the class involvement could look like parent volunteers, class parent, parent chaperones, career day, etc. Outside the classroom involvement in the program could be having parents be after-school helpers, helping students with homework, etc. If parents are present and involved in the classroom, it is shown that students perform better and are motivated to learn.
Cool ideas to help with Domain 4c?
References:
- Danielson Group » The Framework. (2017). Danielsongroup.org. Retrieved 30 November 2017, from http://www.danielsongroup.org/framework/
- (2017). Dailygenius.com. Retrieved 1 December 2017, from http://dailygenius.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/parent-teacher-communication.jpg
- (2017). Blogbloomz.files.wordpress.com. Retrieved 1 December 2017, from https://blogbloomz.files.wordpress.com/2015/05/logo-black.png
- (2017). I.pinimg.com. Retrieved 1 December 2017, from https://i.pinimg.com/736x/e1/db/49/e1db49ff5c2d47820302bc91aa164086--take-home-folders-student-teaching.jpg
- 5 Great Apps for Parent-Teacher Communication [Infographic] | Edsys. (2017). Edsys. Retrieved 1 December 2017, from http://www.edsys.in/apps-parent-teacher-communication-infographic/