Prompt Five Allan Johnson

After spending some time now in the Kindergarten classroom, it is quite apparent that Ms K tries to get her students' parents involved in what they are doing in class and what they will be learning in weeks to come. The one thing that stands out the most in this aspect of parent-teacher community the class has created is the children's homework folders. Every student has a bright, see through folder with their name clearly written by the teacher in the top right hand corner. This folder goes home with the students every night and should be returned every day for collection.

One day while sitting at the desk where the folders had been put in a basket, I noticed that each child had their folder personalized by themselves and a parent or guardian. It seems as though it was some sort of project to be done maybe at the beginning of the year, because the folders were not full of scribbles and children's drawings, they had been deliberately decorated with the help of someone older than them and not a teacher. I picked through the stack of folders to see stickers saying "I love mom" and different objects and shapes like school busses and crayons. And then many, with marker and crayon had their families names, family trees, nationalities, pets and more. It was really nice to see that these kids were asked to create such personalized folders with their family, not one lacking an adults steady hand in some writing!

Along with the wonderful folders, this kindergarten class also has days where the children bring in books that they are currently reading with someone at home, show and tell pieces and the teacher almost always has time to enjoy or discuss something a student has brought in from home, if it has a story about mom, dad or siblings. Ms. K makes it a point to help the kids interact with their parents on an educational level by leaving specific comments on homework assignments, extra letters about conduct and things to be signed if there is any kind of extra boost in progress or lack of improvement in a students work or behavior.

I have also seen many parents walk their students right into the classroom when they are late for school, and actually talk to the teacher rather than just dropping them off and running away. Many times, I have seen Ms. K refer to parents by their first name and she seems to make them comfortable as well as in the know about what their student is doing daily. Because Ms. K works so hard at trying to create a community, or almost a family or families in her class, I related this blog to Allan Johnson. Allan Johnson talked about how parents who work extra hard or hours that leave little free time to see their kids, do not get involved in what their children are doing in school. Because many parents of working class families struggle to have educational time with their kids, or they are just too tired, the child may lose focus in school or feel like he/she does not have what some have to contribute. These parents do not have it as easy as those of higher classes, who can make sure their children are getting a proper education, but it does not mean that they are bad parents. By helping them to get involved, or making it easier to learn about what is going on in class, the parents may be happier and more concerned with what their children bring home in their homework folder and so on.