MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Being able to comprehend what`s in a book won`t happen if what`s stressed at schools isn`t reinforced at home. That`s where teachers and parents must work together.
If communication is key, none is more important than that between a teacher and a parent.
Third year Team Read teacher Cherie Bridgeforth says making sure her 2nd grade students at Dunbar Elementary are soaking up all the learning they need starts with making sure their parents get it.
“I think for them understanding where their child is is crucial for them to be able to help,” said Bridgeforth.
It`s why Kenneth Hill is at Dunbar Elementary as often as he can be volunteering with Team Read and checking on his grandson Laterrion`s progress in the program.
The 8-year-old started out reading about 50 words, but here is what his grandfather said after Team Read.
“His teacher said he was reading 100 words a minute. I was very enlightened and surprised he had such an understanding and was able to articulate and use words he was taught,” said Hill.
Teachers say for parents and grandparents to play a role is icing on the cake.
“To see those familiar faces. Oh my mom is up here, or my aunt or cousin is up here participating, seeing me. It just adds that extra bonus to it,” said Bridgeforth.
She is onto something.
Even the National PTA is now pushing family reading, saying when families are involved in their children`s learning, both at home and at school, their children do better.
It`s not just involvement. It`s specific involvement.
A 2002 Study found the more parents advocate for and support their children`s progress, the longer the kids stay in school and the better they do.
Parents can do that by:
• finding out what their children are expected to know and reinforcing it at home
• teaching their children the importance of education
• sending their kids to school ready to learn every day.
“Learning can`t stop at 3:00 in the afternoon. It has to be continual,” said Dr. Mary Ransdell, who teaches future teachers at the University of Memphis School of Education.
She said parents can engage students by simply talking with them about their day and getting them to express their thoughts, all of which opens up critical thinking.
It`s never too early.
Those first words that lead to learning and reading are crucial.
“To create and to show learning in a variety of ways is extremely helpful for kids. Waiting until kindergarten is late, very late,” said Randsell.
Schools also play a part by removing barriers for parental involvement and sharing decision-making with parents.
As a part of Team Read, index cards with challenging words are sent home to parents so they know what their children are struggling with and can help them with those words at home.
“With our time constraints, we have so many components to cover just to have someone to back up and reinforce what we are doing in the classroom, it’s been really critical and helpful,” said Bridgeforth.
Parents and teachers on the same team rooting for their star player, the student.
