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Share Your School Ingredient

1. Select the part of the morning meeting that you feel is a must...(A School couldn't exist without it)

2. Explain why

3. You may also provide a link or resource

4. Engage with your peers’ posts by commenting on shared experiences or asking thoughtful questions

Note: Please be respectful and considerate in your posts and comments.

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1. I think the sharing aspect of a morning meeting

2. Sharing is the most important because it allows for students to feel recognized by their teacher and classmates

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I think the sharing portion of morning meeting would be most important for students. Students need an opportunity to talk about themselves and share information about themselves that they otherwise would not share. It would also help talkative students get their words out before time to focus on instruction.

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1. Sharing

2. Sharing allows time for students to learn SEL and socialization with others. It also allows students to share their ideas and take time to listen to their peers.

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The sharing part of morning meeting is a must. It allows for students to share things with others and creates community in the classroom by learning new things about others.

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1. The greetings are an important part to morning meeting

2. It allows students to learn their classmate's names and think of fun ways to greet students they typically wouldn't do

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I think sharing is the most important part of the morning meeting. I think this because sharing is how students build community, work on social emotional skills, and it helps the teacher understand their students better.

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I think sharing is a huge part of morning meetings because when students get to share with their peers and their peers get to listen, it builds connections and gives every student the opportunity to share and be heard. This makes them feel belonged in a classroom where their voice is valued.

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1. Greeting students

2. Greeting students at the beginning of the meeting it important because it gives students a sense of belonging and shows that you care about them as a person.

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1. Greeting

2. I think it's important/ shows respect to say Good morning/ hello to anyone. It builds respect in the students to always do a nice greeting.

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1. I think the most important part of the morning meeting would be building positive relationships with one another!

2. I believe this is the most important because it makes the classroom a more welcoming environment. It provides an opportunity to make the classroom a "family"!

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I think that sharing is the most important part because it gives students the chance to learn more about others and a way for them to share something about them selfs.

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I am continuing my blog series all about Morning Meeting and this post will focus on the Sharing component. Within the daily ritual that is Morning Meeting, Sharing plays a vital role. This is the heart of the morning meeting, where students have the opportunity to express themselves, their thoughts, and their experiences. I will explore the importance of the Sharing component and how it contributes to building inclusivity and emotional growth in Littles. Now, let's get to it and zoom in on the sharing component, which always follows the Greeting, and explore why it is a cornerstone of morning meetings.

Why Take the Time to Share

During Sharing, we really get a special glimpse in our lives outside of school. We learn about each other and what's going on in our lives outside of the classroom. We share what brings joy to our lives and also what we struggle with. It is a time to get really deep and close with each other; to bond. There are laughs and sometimes there are even tears. It becomes a safe space for us to really open up. Let's explore some other reasons why Sharing is so important.

Builds Confidence

Encouraging students to share in a supportive environment bolsters their self-confidence. It validates their thoughts and feelings, making them feel valued and heard. It is amazing how students are shy and reserved when we first start at the beginning of the year to eager and willing to share just a few weeks in!

Enhances Communication Skills

Sharing isn't just about talking; it also involves listening actively and responding empathetically so that Littles are really learning how to have authentic conversations. These skills are developed and nurtured during Sharing time. Something that I have implemented is that when each student shares something, there has to be at least one follow up question, using a question word: who, what, when, where, how. For example, if a student shares he/she had a party over the weekend, a follow up question could be " What was the party for?" or " Who was at the party?"

Cultivates Empathy

When children share their experiences, it enables their peers to understand their emotions and perspectives better. This fosters empathy and teaches children how to be compassionate and supportive friends.

We had a friend share with us that her dad was crying the night before. When another student inquired about why he was crying, she shared it was because her grandma had passed away. When she said this, another student quickly got up and gave her a hug, then patted her on the back. He then shared that his grandmother had also passed away. It was such a sweet and powerful moment. We may not have ever learned that information about her family if not for the Sharing component of Morning Meeting.

Celebrates Diversity

Sharing can encompass a wide range of topics, from cultural traditions to personal achievements. This celebration of diversity within the classroom promotes understanding and acceptance of each other.

Implementing Effective Sharing Sessions

To make sharing an enriching part of your classroom Morning Meeting, consider these strategies:

Set Clear Expectations

It is super important to establish ground rules for respectful listening and responding during sharing time. First and foremost, we sit in a circle so that we can easily see each other. Some days we are able to get in our circle and get started. Other days, they need a quick reminder and I do our chant.

I say: Criss Cross; They say, "Applesauce!"

I say: Hands in; They say, "Lap"

I say: Sitting very; They say, "Quietly!" (They whisper shout this).

It is also taught from the very first Morning Meeting that if someone else is talking, we are respectful and have listening ears. To help with this, we have a fidget ball that is passed around and the expectation is if the ball is in your hands, you have the floor and if the ball is not in your hands, you are Level 0 and actively listening to the person talking. If someone has a follow up question, they raise their hands and the fidget ball is gently tossed to the person called on for the follow up question.

Empower Choice

Allow students to choose what they want to share, ensuring it is relevant and meaningful to them. Since I teach Kindergarten, this is a little more guided in my classroom and we follow a routine.

Mindful Monday: Share something from the weekend. It is just about reflecting on the weekend and can literally be anything. Talk it Out Tuesday: We talk about something that we want to learn or something we are struggling with. Would You Rather... Wednesday: Students are given two options to choose from. I keep it fun and simple here! For example, cookies or donuts? Thoughtful Thursday: Share a compliment about someone in our classroom. This really makes them pause and think about the people in our class and how they positively contribute to their day! Free Friday: Students have the opportunity to share whatever they feel comfortable sharing with the class.

Lead by Example

As the teacher, it's super important to model effective sharing to demonstrate active listening and appropriate responses. So, this means, you get to share aspects of your life with your Littles... and guess what? They LOVE to hear about what you do when you're not at school. I'm sure you already know, but believe me when I say, some of your Littles may have never even considered that you leave the school building, like ever! 😂 We have to be willing to open up and share the happenings of our lives with our Littles if we expect them to open up and be vulnerable.

By incorporating sharing into your classroom's Morning Meeting, you create a rich and inclusive learning environment. This simple yet powerful component helps Littles build self-esteem, communication skills, and empathy. It celebrates diversity and teaches responsibility, setting the stage for these young learners to become confident, compassionate, and effective communicators as they navigate their educational journey and beyond.

For more information on Morning Meetings, check out related blog posts from this blog series:

Need some Morning Meeting Greeting Ideas in your classroom?

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The Significance of Sharing in Classroom Morning Meetings

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Explore the transformative power how the Sharing component of Morning Meeting fosters inclusivity, empathy, and growth in young learners.

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I especially like the part of this website where it addresses common barriers that come up when trying to involve parents and families.

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ParentPowered - Evidence-Based Family Engagement

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The academic achievement connection

As the old adage goes, "It takes a village to raise a child," and in the realm of K-12 education, that adage couldn't be more accurate. Let's paint a vivid picture - a student who feels the unwavering support of both their school and family, like two sturdy pillars standing below their feet, providing encouragement, guidance, and collaboration. This student isn't just acing their academics; they're blossoming with personal growth and radiating self-assurance.

It's also vital to understand that academic achievement, social-emotional development, improved student mental health, and stronger social connections are the delicious fruit that this powerful collaboration bears.

Narrowing the achievement gap

With this in mind, let's shine a light on the notorious achievement gap, the disparity in academic performance between groups of students - a widespread challenge in our educational landscape. It's not just a theoretical concern; it's a real and tangible issue that needs to be addressed. With the strong backing of research from organizations like the National Committee for Citizens in Education, family engagement emerges as a bridge to close this gap.

When families actively join the educational journey of their child, it levels the playing field for students from diverse backgrounds, especially those who have been historically underserved. The achievement gap extends far beyond mere test scores; it's about ensuring all students have equal access to opportunities and resources. Family engagement's positive influence can do wonders in narrowing these educational disparities, guaranteeing every student, no matter where they come from, gets a fair chance at success.

Fostering family-school partnerships

School administrators, teachers, and staff play a key role, too. They are the architects of a friendly, engaging school environment where family-school partnerships can bloom, steadily closing the achievement gap while improving well-being, family relationships, and social-emotional skills.

Creating a unified school community

The success of family-school partnerships hinges on the collective efforts of school administrators, staff, and the broader school community. These key players work in unison to foster a nurturing and inclusive school climate. Here's a glimpse into how each member of the school community plays a unique part in enhancing engagement:

Creating pathways for effective engagement

Engaging families can be a multifaceted endeavor, considering the ever-busy schedules and varied backgrounds that families bring to the table. With the right strategies, the gap between home and school can be bridged effectively.

Communication strategies for effective family engagement

By acknowledging the diverse backgrounds and experiences of families, schools can recognize that not all parents have access to the same information. Establishing open lines of communication is key in fostering these relationships.

Here, we'll explore practical strategies your school community can implement to achieve just that.

We get it, introducing family engagement strategies in schools can seem like a tough task. But here's the good news: ParentPowered curricula align smoothly with the standards of all 50 states, ESSER, Title I, III, IV, and V, the Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework, PFCE Framework, and Quality Improvement initiatives. What's more, teachers won't have to add extra work to their load as the curriculum offers engaging activities for the entire family for them. It's a win-win. Take a look at these sample messages to see examples of the evidence-based learning activities families receive.

The value of face to face interaction

Parent-teacher conferences are invaluable opportunities for meaningful dialogue between educators and parents. These conferences enable parents to gain insights into their child's school life, from their A+ moments to areas that could use a little extra love. Beyond grades, conferences can also provide a platform for parents to express their thoughts and ideas. So, it's crucial for school administrators to organize and encourage these conferences to ensure that they are accessible and convenient for all families.

Consider these helpful tips for successful, inclusive conferences at your school:

Here, educators can breathe life into dynamic information sessions and workshops. By taking the school to the community, educators can engage parents in familiar and comfortable settings, making it easier for them to participate actively in their children's education.

Moreover, it's all about embracing the magic of informal moments. School events like sporting matches, school plays, and extracurricular activities provide casual yet valuable opportunities for parents to interact with teachers and school staff. It's in these spontaneous interactions that partnerships come to life.

Empowering all families: equitable approaches to family engagement

Research shows that families, especially those from underserved communities, often encounter various barriers when trying to participate in their children's education. These barriers can range from limited access to transportation, busy work schedules, or unfamiliarity with school processes due to cultural differences.

Family engagement strategies for schools that center equity

Family-school partnerships for equity involve collaborative efforts aimed at leveling the educational playing field. For instance, schools can organize regular meetings where parents and teachers discuss strategies to help struggling students. These partnerships may also encompass community involvement, where local organizations provide resources like tutoring or mentoring programs, ensuring that all students have access to support beyond the classroom.

In these partnerships, families aren't just bystanders; they're the driving force. They actively participate in school decisions, influencing curriculum choices, and contributing to the creation of a more inclusive, diverse, and vibrant learning environment.

Overcoming common barriers to engagement

When it comes to developing family engagement strategies, one size does not fit all. It is important to adopt innovative and equitable approaches that consider the unique challenges families may face. Removing barriers to engagement is paramount, ensuring that all families, regardless of their circumstances, can actively participate in their children's education.
Communication Tools School Accessibility
Another important factor in equitable family engagement is recognizing the diverse cultural background of families. Cultural diversity can impact the way families engage with schools. That's where cultural responsiveness comes into play.

The power of cultural responsiveness in family engagement

Every family brings their own unique cultural backgrounds, values, and ways of communicating to the educational journey. These differences can have a big impact on how families and schools interact, how they see the education system, and how involved they are in their child's learning. But here's the thing: research tells us that acknowledging and respecting these cultural nuances is vital for meaningful family engagement.

Cultivating cultural responsiveness

Prominent scholar Dr. Karen Mapp, known for her work at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, stresses the pivotal role of cultural responsiveness in family engagement. Her research emphasizes building collaborative relationships between schools and culturally diverse families.

To put Mapp's insights into practical use, schools can consider initiatives such as a culturally inclusive curriculum that integrates diverse cultural perspectives, thereby honoring family knowledge and traditions. Additionally, creating opportunities for parents to share their cultural expertise during school events, like international festivals or heritage days, can foster authentic parental involvement in shaping school programs and activities. This approach ensures that cultural diversity is not only acknowledged but actively embraced within the school environment.

Remember, culturally responsive family engagement is not about knowing everything about a community's culture but rather being aware of the need for cultural sensitivity, curiosity, and openness. Specific training for school staff can help build cultural proficiency and create a school culture where diversity is valued.

Empowering student success through family engagement: your next steps

Now, you might be wondering, "Where do I start?" We understand that implementing these strategies can be challenging. That's why we're here to assist you. ParentPowered offers evidence-based family engagement programs designed to facilitate the journey toward student achievement.

About the author
Megan Okrand is a former High School History teacher turned writer taking her passion for education outside of the classroom and onto the World Wide Web. Connect with her on LinkedIn.

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12 Practical Family Engagement Strategies for Schools

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When paired with ParentPowered programs, these hands-on family engagement strategies for schools give your students and community a boost.

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s18v1eI4frE&t=1s

This video is tips from teachers of the year on how they communicate with families. I thought it was very insightful and nice to hear from high quality teachers. It also is just practical on what they are doing and what works.

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“Positive Phone Calls Home”

This video really touches on the topic of being open in communicating home to parents. It allows parents to not just hear the behaviors that are negative but also the positive behaviors. It opens parents up to an easier and safer communicative environment!

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Six Strategies for Partnering with Families at the Start of the School Year

This resource discussed six different things teachers should consider when first meeting students and their families. It talked about being inclusive with families, asking parents about what their hopes are, and how to best help their kids. I thought this article mentioned great ways to form a strong relationship with students and their parents at the beginning of the year.

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A "Welcome Packet" and Weekly reports sent to parents are to ways to stay consistent and direct with your communication to parents. Important things to include in the welcome packet are classroom policies, discipline policies, and anhy permission forms. Weekly updates can be small notes to let parents know how their student is doing in the classroom for check-in.

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Starting the Year Off Right: Communicating with Parents

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Upper elementary blog with practical, rigorous, classroom tested ideas to implement with your students.

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This article show identifies the importance of parental involvement in schools. Some of the key takeaways were

Parent involvement and strong parenting and teaching partnerships can help children thrive in school.

Parent involvement takes various forms and includes promoting routines for learning at home, attending school functions and showing an interest in a student’s education.

A variety of resources exist to help support parent involvement in early childhood.

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The Key to Student Success, Research Shows

If you could wave a magic wand that would improve the chances of school success for your children as well as their classmates, would you take up that challenge?

For decades, researchers have pointed to one key success factor that transcends nearly all others, such as socioeconomic status, student background or the kind of school a student attends: parental involvement.

The extent to which schools nurture positive relationships with families - and vice versa - makes all the difference, research shows. Students whose parents stay involved in school have better attendance and behavior, get better grades, demonstrate better social skills and adapt better to school.

Parental involvement also more securely sets these students up to develop a lifelong love of learning, which researchers say is key to long-term success.

A generation ago, the National PTA found that three key parent behaviors are the most accurate predictors of student achievement, transcending both family income and social status:

1. creating a home environment that encourages learning;

2. communicating high, yet reasonable, expectations for achievement; and

3. staying involved in a child's education at school.

What's more, researchers say when this happens, the motivation, behavior and academic performance of all children at a particular school improve. Simply put, the better the partnership between school and home, the better the school and the higher the student achievement across the board.
Download Our Parental Involvement in Education Report
What Is Parental Involvement, and How Is It Different From Parental Engagement?

Parental involvement is the active, ongoing participation of a parent or primary caregiver in the education of a child. Parents can demonstrate involvement at home by:

reading with children;

helping with homework;

discussing school events;

attending school functions, including parent-teacher meetings; and

volunteering in classrooms.

While both parental involvement and parental engagement in school support student success, they have important differences.

Involvement is the first step towards engagement. It includes participation in school events or activities, with teachers providing learning resources and information about their student's grades. With involvement, teachers hold the primary responsibility to set educational goals.

But while teachers can offer advice, families and caregivers have important information about their children that teachers may not know. So a student's learning experience is enriched when both bring their perspectives to the table.

With engagement, home and school come together as a team. Schools empower parents and caregivers by providing them with ways to actively participate, promoting them as important voices in the school and removing barriers to engagement. Examples include encouraging families to join the family-teacher association or arranging virtual family-teacher meetings for families with transportation issues.

Research has found that the earlier educators establish family engagement, the more effective they are in raising student performance.

Why Is It Important to Involve Parents in School?

It Benefits Students

Children whose families are engaged in their education are more likely to:

earn higher grades and score higher on tests;

graduate from high school and college;

develop self-confidence and motivation in the classroom; and

have better social skills and classroom behavior.

In one study, researchers looked at longitudinal data on math achievement and found that effectively encouraging families to support students' math learning at home was associated with higher percentages of students who scored at or above proficiency on standardized math achievement tests.

Students whose parents are involved in school are also less likely to suffer from low self-esteem or develop behavioral issues, researchers say.

And classrooms with engaged families perform better as a whole, meaning that the benefits affect virtually all students in a classroom.

It Positively Influences Children's Behavior

Decades of research have made one thing clear: parental involvement in education improves student attendance, social skills and behavior. It also helps children adapt better to school.

In one instance, researchers looking at children's academic and social development across first, third and fifth grade found that improvements in parental involvement are associated with fewer ​"problem behaviors" in students and improvements in social skills. Researchers also found that children with highly involved parents had ​"enhanced social functioning" and fewer behavior problems.

It Benefits Teachers

Because it improves classroom culture and conditions, parent involvement also benefits teachers. Knowing more about a student helps teachers prepare better and knowing that they have parents' support ensures that teachers feel equipped to take academic risks and push for students to learn more.

How Can Parents Get Involved in Their Child's Education?

1. Make learning a priority in your home, establishing routines and schedules that enable children to complete homework, read independently, get enough sleep and have opportunities to get help from you. Talk about what's going on in school.

2. Read to and with your children: Even 10-20 minutes daily makes a difference. And parents can go further by ensuring that they read more each day as well, either as a family or private reading time that sets a good example.

3. Ask teachers how they would like to communicate. Many are comfortable with text messages or phone calls, and all teachers want parents to stay up to date, especially if problems arise.

4. Attend school events, including parent-teacher conferences, back-to-school nights and others - even if your child is not involved in extracurricular activities.

5. Use your commute to connect with your kids; ask them to read to you while you drive and encourage conversations about school.

6. Eat meals together: It's the perfect opportunity to find out more about what's going on in school.

7. Prioritize communication with teachers, especially if demanding work schedules, cultural or language barriers are an issue. Find out what resources are available to help get parents involved.

Parental Involvement Outside the Classroom

Outside of the classroom, engaged parents more often see themselves as advocates for their child's school - and are more likely to volunteer or take an active role in governance.

Researchers have noted that parent involvement in school governance, for instance, helps parents understand educators' and other parents' motivations, attitudes and abilities. It gives them a greater opportunity to serve as resources for their children, often increasing their own skills and confidence. In a few cases, these parents actually further their own education and upgrade their job.

While providing improved role models for their children, these parents also ensure that the larger community views the school positively and supports it. They also provide role models for future parent leaders.

Reading and Homework

Very early in their school career - by fourth grade - children are expected to be able to read to learn other subjects. But recent research shows that about two-thirds of the nation's public school fourth graders aren't proficient readers.

To make children successful in reading, and in school more generally, the single most important thing you can do is to read aloud with them.

Youth Sports and Other Extracurricular Activities

Parents can make or break their child's relationship with sports and other extracurricular activities, so they should think deeply about how to show children the fun of mastering a new skill, working toward a group or individual goal, weathering adversity, being a good sport and winning or losing gracefully.

Beyond this, parents with coaching skills should consider volunteering to get involved. The National Alliance for Youth Sports notes that only about 5% to 10% of youth sports coaches have received any relevant training before coaching, with most coaches stepping up because their child is on the team and no one else volunteered.

Parental Involvement in Juvenile Justice

Parents finding themselves involved in the juvenile justice system on behalf of their kids face a system that offers many challenges and few resources.

The Annie E. Casey Foundation's Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative has long sought to sharply reduce reliance on detention, with the aim of decreasing reliance on juvenile incarceration nationwide.

But parents whose children face the judicial system can make a difference. Surveys of corrections officials note that family involvement is one of the most important issues facing the juvenile system, and it is also the most operationally challenging.

One well-respected framework outlines the importance of five ​"dimensions" that measure parental involvement, including receptivity to receiving help, a belief in positive change, investment in planning and obtaining services and a good working relationship between the parent and the justice system.

What Successful Parental Involvement Looks Like

Experts urge parents to be present at school as much as possible and to show interest in children's schoolwork.

As noted in the Annie E. Casey Foundation ​"Parental Involvement in Education Policy" brief, the National PTA lists six key standards for good parent/​family involvement programs:

1. Schools engage in regular, two-way, meaningful communication with parents.

2. Parenting skills are promoted and supported.

3. Parents play an integral role in assisting student learning.

4. Parents are welcome in the school as volunteers, and their support and assistance are sought.

5. Parents are full partners in the decisions that affect children and families.

6. Community resources are used to strengthen schools, families and student learning.

How To Avoid Negative Parental Involvement

Teachers may, on occasion, complain of ​"helicopter parents" whose involvement - sometimes called ​"hovering" - does more harm than good. One veteran educator recently told the story of an award-winning colleague who quit the profession because of the growing influence of ​"a group of usually well-intentioned, but over-involved, overprotective and controlling parents who bubble-wrap their children."

What these parents fail to understand, he said, is that their good intentions ​"often backfire," impeding their children's coping skills and capacity to problem-solve. Such over-involvement can actually increase children's anxiety and reduce self-esteem.

The colleague's plea: ​"Please partner with us rather than persecute us. That will always be in your children's best interests."

Resources for Parents, Teachers, School Administrators and Advocates

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Parental Involvement in Your Child's Education

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Parental involvement makes better students, more relaxed teachers and more confident parents. Learn how to get involved in your child's education and life.