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Home Visits Handout
Home Visits Handout
The Visit:
Beforehand
o Phone call to set the appointment Im ____s teacher. Would like to come visit. Am
a better teacher when I know families. May I come by?
who am I, whats the purpose, whos coming with me, how long will I be there
stay positive and allow for options in addition to meeting in the home (like a
nearby park or community center)
DuringListening
o Ask about familys experiences with schools and teachers
o Listen to what student does when not in classroom [Facet of Culturally Relevant
Teaching: How can I bring your passion back into the classroom?]
Sharing
o Share hopes and dreams: What do you hope/dream for your child? My hope and
dream for xx is that she will always love learning as she does this year.
o Expectations for communication and for the childs year in school
o InvitationId like to invite you to step back into the school; something fun,
celebratory to come to, like a publishing party or Back to School Night
Barriers
o language
There are generally linguistic brokers in familiesask if there is. Try not to
use the student him/herself
o fears
personal safety
18 years, many many thousands of visitsnever had someone harmed
if youre freaked out, gracefully bow out and reschedule in a neutral location
mandated reporting of danger to childfamily is asking for help! [youve
called and asked, youve confirmed, theyve invited you in]
dogs, smoke, tv
FEAR FROM PARENTS: You are coming to take their children away.
o cultural barriers
nothing teaches more than going to sit in someones living room and having a
conversation
o assumptions
schools and families make judgments that are deep [race, SES, and gender]
and negative; rarely get challenge
EDIS 5871: Elementary Seminar