2nd Edition
Engaging the Families of ELs and Immigrants Ideas, Resources, and Activities
Learn how to engage the diverse families of English learners (ELs) and immigrants with the effective, practical approaches in this book. This must-have resource for teachers and school leaders is packed with fresh ideas geared toward building a partnership between school communities and ELs and immigrant families at school and at home. The book includes information and activities to:
- Assess current practices
- Investigate family perceptions and expectations
- Overcome challenges
- Improve communication
- Fund family engagement
Fully revised and up-to-date, the new edition shines a much-needed spotlight on immigrant families from numerous homelands and includes a chapter on schools and organizations that have applied many of the ideas in the book for successful partnerships. New online resources include 20 new activities to complement the book chapters, over 50 annotated websites, and additional book recommendations to provide insight into the immigrant experience. The support materials can be found at routledge.com/9780367607548.
Organized with the busy educator in mind, the book can be read straight through or section by section to best fit your specific needs.
As the demographics of America's schools continue to grow and change, this book guides you to building an inclusive school community in which every family can thrive!
About the Authors
Preface
1. Partnering for Student Success
2. Finding Out What Families Want
3. Creating a Welcoming School Environment
4. Communicating with Immigrant Families
5. Learning at Home
6. Beyond Open Houses
7. Partnering with Families of Students with Special Needs
8. Immigrant Families Under Stress
9. Funding Family Engagement
10. Success Stories
Biography
Renee Rubin is an educational consultant specializing in literacy, ELs, and family engagement. Previously, she taught in elementary schools for 11 years and taught pre-service and in-service teachers at the University of Texas at Brownsville for 13 years.
Michelle H. Abrego is an Assistant Professor in the Organization and School Leadership Department in the College of Education and P-16 Integration at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, USA.
John A. Sutterby is an Associate Professor in the Department of Interdisciplinary Learning and Teaching at the University of Texas at San Antonio, USA.
"This book offers educators reflective tools to challenge, consider, and change long-standing assumptions and expectations regarding culturally and linguistically diverse families. The book encourages ongoing and sustained inquiries into the types of processes and actions that will leverage family differences in new ways to strengthen conditions that promote the integration of all families in school communities to boost student learning."
--Rachel R. Ayala, Principal, Hudson Elementary School, Brownsville, TX, and 2019 Terrel H. Bell Awardee for Outstanding School Leadership
"This book is a great and timely resource for teachers as well as administrators. The authors provide helpful case examples throughout the book as well as activities to be used with staff and immigrant families. The book closes with a must-read chapter on ‘Success Stories,’ including highlights of a number of immigrant family leadership initiatives."
--Laura Gardner, Founder, Immigrant Connections
