Discusses the role of teachers in relation to parents. Suggests English educators have much to do in helping teachers learn how to inform parents about the best practices in English/language arts. Posits that teachers--preservice and practicing--must think about their roles differently to see themselves as advocates, not just for students, but for…

Outlines what reading educators can do in this time of opportunity and change, the best and worst of times for education, to stop, stretch, focus, and then boldly step out again with students, parents, colleagues, and the public. (SR)

Recounts a teacher's experience at the week-long IFTE (International Federation of Teachers of English) conference at New York University, which attempted to help educators respond to conservative criticism of educational pedagogical approaches and trends. Describes a small group experience. (TB)

Reviews and evaluates a number of books and studies about cooperative efforts between parents and teachers to develop the literacy of school children. Recommends those books that model a reciprocal working relationship between parents and teachers. (TB)

In this article, the mother of a young child with cerebral palsy discusses how she worked with service providers to help organize efforts to educate church volunteers so that her daughter could participate in her regular child toddler class along with her sister. Classroom adaptations are discussed. (CR)

Describes how the Montessori Center Room in Cincinnati, Ohio involves parents as volunteer classroom assistants. Focuses on the training and preparation necessary for volunteers related to professionalism, independence, concentration, and preparation of the children of volunteers. Notes benefits of having parents in the classroom, including…

Presents the parish programs at the Prince of Peace Catholic Community in Plano, Texas and at the Holy Family Parish Community in Inverness, Illinois as examples of what can be accomplished when imaginative, inspired, and knowledgeable teachers take on family catechesis as their mission. (VWC)

Reflects on areas influencing child formation most: home-based activities, school, and the children's social world and their interaction within the community. Explains how parents can establish and teach the primary values that coincide with each of these areas of child development. (VWC)

This article deals with the problem between the teacher and parent of a child who will not participate in group activities. Here, the author features the teacher's story as well as the parent's story. Some children take a long time to warm up to group play. Often, these are imaginative youngsters who are quite content to amuse themselves. They may…

Among the issues facing teachers as the 21st century approaches are: the prevalence of violence, growing racial and socioeconomic divisions in society, and lack of parental involvement. Activities gathered from articles in educational journals are suggested to help children voice their experiences, thoughts, and concerns about violence. Some of…

This paper discusses how strengthening connections between the school and its community can help to improve a school's problem solving capacity. The paper is based on data collected by the Documentation and Technical Assistance Project of the Center for New Schools (Chicago, Illinois), from observation of nine school sites which were involved in…

Maintains that child development knowledge is important in providing a strong basis for teachers' decision-making processes. Discusses how teachers must consider all aspects of development--physical, social/emotional, and intellectual--in making classroom decisions, as well as decisions concerning parental involvement and the use of community…

Teachers can gain strength to continue in their profession by consciously forging links--personal, parental, professional, promotional, and practitioner--that bind them to various constituencies. (MLF)

Reports on research about single-father families and discusses implications for early childhood educators. Suggests that educators encourage the single-father, adapt to his schedule, cope with adult and child stress, provide parenting information, become aware of custody arrangements, and adjust the curriculum for all children. (AS)

Although there are many ways in which the roles of parents and teachers overlap during the very early years, there are important distinctions in their roles that often become a source of stress, especially to teachers. Seven distinctions in these roles are described: (1) scope of functions; (2) intensity of feelings; (3) intensity of attachment;…