![\"family](\"https:\/\/tiie.w3.uvm.edu\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/family_communication_bingo-1024x853.jpeg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nWhen we engage families in their students’ education the benefits are numerous. The findings from the 2017 report from the Nellie Mae Education Foundation<\/a> on Family Engagement (Wood, Bauman, Rudo, Dimock 2017) suggests:<\/p>\n We cannot assume that all students have the same opportunities. Additionally, we cannot assume all parents have equal access to information to support their learners. That’s where you come in. Schools can provide a tailored stream of communication. All of which can increase the possibility for students, educators, and<\/em> parents to engage in conversations about learning.<\/p>\n Communication prior to the student-led conference should be considered a necessary component of a successful conference. There’s a tremendous amount of information parents want to know. But this is really a year-round need.<\/p>\n And family outreach was its name-o.<\/p>\n You’ll note that a couple strategies are on the card more than once. Those are strategies that have a relatively low bar to entry, or are particularly powerful. Like a phone call, or a weekly student video, for example. So yes, if you do either of those, you can check them off everywhere they appear on the card.<\/p>\n Also, if you let your students run the class twitter or instagram account? You can mark off the additional square of your choice. An extra freebie for your awesomeness.<\/p>\n Now, we’re making available a package of bingo cards for y’all, to get you inspired with these 17 different ways you can communicate with students’ families. As an individual or team, break out the bingo marker and daube the strategies you are using. Yes, there are extra points for yelling.<\/p>\n We have online and printable versions of the filled card, above, as well as a blank bingo card template. That’s right, you and your team can sit down and choose from any of the SEVENTEEN strategies above, or write in your own. Pin them up in your rooms or tack them up in your Schoology and check off each one as you use it. Print or post additional cards as needed.<\/p>\n Or print them for your students and encourage them to fill them out. Give them ones you’ve filled out and ask them to check off what they get through.<\/p>\n The first 10 folks to complete a BINGO and send a picture to our Instagram<\/a>\u00a0or\u00a0Twitter<\/a> account with the hashtag #familycommunicationbingo will win your choice of a Tarrant Institute journal or a Tarrant Institute water bottle.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n BINGO. Communication with student’s families outside of student led conferences (SLC) is vital. Giving parents the information they need in order to protect that time for the student voice to take the lead in sharing the learning, goals, and needs is essential. Let’s take a quick look at the why, when, and the how, with … <\/p>\n\n
…and equity.<\/h3>\n
When?<\/h2>\n
\n
All of the above!<\/h3>\n
How?<\/h2>\n
BINGO, people. B. I. N. G. O.<\/h3>\n
<\/a><\/p>\nLet’s step through them together.<\/h3>\n
\n
A few quick rules:<\/h3>\n
Hi, there’s homework.<\/h2>\n
Download your package of bingo cards at this link (.pdf). <\/a><\/h2>\n
![\"family](\"https:\/\/tiie.w3.uvm.edu\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/blank_bingo_card-1024x853.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nBut wait, there’s more.<\/h3>\n
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<\/a>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/tiie.w3.uvm.edu\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/IMG_3953-300x225.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nHow many ways to communicate with families do you or your team use?<\/h2>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"