Children from Latinx families bring rich and varied literacy practices and cultural models to their classrooms. When teachers are able to recognize these assets, they have opportunities to make their teaching more responsive and engaging. One way to learn about these assets is through relationship-building, assets-framed home visits. In this…

Young children's engagement with digital tools (e.g., tablets, smartphones, ebooks/storyapps, and mobile apps) is increasing globally. This is inevitable in our digital world. Even though children primarily use digital technology for entertainment purposes, these tools offer valuable learning opportunities too. Importantly, adults can provide and…

The authors explore the possibility that school literacy practices sent home as homework are changing family reading interactions by adding to the tasks that teachers expect parents to undertake. The authors consider how reading, formerly an elective leisure practice between parents and their children, has been reorganized and how this positions…

As children of immigrants are increasing in number across the U.S. classrooms, schools need to develop strategies to engage with immigrant families. Structural and attitudinal issues in the school system create challenges in communicating with immigrant parents. Immigrant parents have high expectations for their children's academic achievement…

Writing is a complex act that requires students' concentrated time and effort to master--time and effort that teachers strain to find in a crowded curriculum. Despite this struggle to prioritize writing, students in the 21st century need writing skills to participate in the workplace, academia, economy, and democracy. If writing skills really are…

Students' reading achievement is influenced by the amount of reading they actually do. In this column we present a workable and engaging model to increase the volume of student reading at home. A detailed outline of how teachers and schools can work with parents to implement the model is presented. (Contains 1 figure.)

In this article, the authors offer small changes in home-school relationships that can make a big difference in family involvement in schools. The ideas they offer in this article are neither time-consuming nor terribly complex. Some ideas can easily be implemented by a single teacher, whereas others may be more efficiently completed by committees…

Parent and family involvement in schools can have a positive influence on students' school achievement. When parents feel good about their school involvement and the school's instructional efforts, they tend to hold high expectations for their children, which in turn can have a positive impact on their children's interests, aspirations, and…

The authors address the "whys" and "hows" of encouraging independent reading at home. Practical tips that teachers can give to parents are provided.

Presents some sources and resources that allow educators to obtain relevant data, printed materials, purposeful advice, and ideas that ensure effective home-school relationships. Lists addresses of organizations readers may wish to contact to obtain information. (MG)

Argues that teachers need to be aware of the effect adult illiteracy has in their classrooms. Discusses identifying low-literate parents, what to do next, and ways to support low-literate parents. (SR)

Investigates what happens when parents are invited and encouraged to share their own knowledge and insight of their children's literacy development with teachers. Finds that such sharing can help teachers design instruction to better meet students' needs. (SR)

Outlines a series of eight defense mechanisms teachers typically employ in parent/teacher conferences. Offers alternative approaches that teachers can practice and consider prior to conferences. (MG)

Describes how a third-grade teacher used a parent journal to keep parents aware of what was happening in school and to give them an open forum in which to ask questions, make comments, or express feelings. Notes that dialog journals can improve home-school communication and foster positive connections. (SR)