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Lesson Plans


Re: Ask for parent ownership in assessment

[ Thread ][ Subject ][ Author ][ Date ]
Gary LaTurner (garyl.wa.us)
Tue, 9 Jan 1996 16:23:01 -0700 (PDT)

Many teachers who use portfolios are also finding it useful and
meaningful to have students run the parent conference. It allows the
student the opportunity to know and share.

On Mon, 8 Jan 1996, Marvin P. Bartel wrote:

> As one who doesn't work directly in schools with young children, I
> hesitate to make suggestions. However, we discussed an idea in our "Art
> for Children" class that might work in some situations. We were looking at
> some very impressive art work produced by children in a local nursery
> school when this idea came up for discussion. I think this could work in
> lower elementary grades as well, at least in some schools. Those of you
> teaching young children may have some ideas and/or corrections to
> contribute.
>
> The idea is for teachers to ask parents of young children to take the
> responsibility to keep their child's school art work in a portfolio and
> bring it in to the parent/teacher conferences. At the conferences, the
> teacher helps the parents understand how art is helping the development of
> the child.
>
> RATIONALE:
> 1) It stresses the importance of parent involvement in setting a positive
> tone about school work. In the act of being responsible for saving and
> filing the work, it is hoped that parents will take more ownership in the
> child's learning. By starting with the youngest children we are nurturing
> parents at a time when they are most likely to be forming their parenting
> skills and habits.
> 2) It provides a setting where the child gets to explain the work to the
> parent(s) when it is brought home.
> 3) The focus of the parent/teacher conference povides a setting for
> parents to learn from the teacher about the reasons art is done by
> children. Many parents have misconceptions about why we teach art. They
> don't realize the developmental benefits. They may see it as a product
> more than as a chance for their child to developing thinking, analyzing,
> and expression skills. Sending notes home with the work, explaining the
> objectives and asking the parents to ask the child to tell about the work
> would also help, but the parent/teacher conference can provide a teachable
> moment for the parent.
> 3) It can stress the value of growth and progress over time through
> repeated practice, rather then dependending on quick or magic results.
> 4) If the parents are impressed by our efforts, we become more essential
> in the view of administrators and school baords.
>
> -------------------------------------------------------------------------
> Marvin Bartel, Ed.D.
> Art Department Office Phone: 219.535.7592 (has voice mail)
> Studio Phone: 219.533.0171 (sorry, no machine here)
> Goshen College Fax:219.535.7660 please include my name (shared fax)
> Goshen, IN 46526 Internet: marvinpb
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> "You can't never know how to do it before you never did it before."
> from a young boy working with clay the first time
>
>
>