Family Connections: A Basis for Teacher Reflection and Instructional Improvement.
Year: 2005
Type: article
Abstract: As teachers reach out to families in new ways, attempt to learn from them, and connect that knowledge to instruction, what do the teachers reflect on and consider? is article explores this question based on the experiences of two teachers involved in a multi-year study focused, in part, on school-family con-nections. Findings emerged from data collected during numerous visits made to the students ’ homes over two to three years, formal and informal interviews with the families, and the teachers ’ weekly reflections about their teaching and the students ’ academic development. ey also reflected after each of the family visits, focusing their reflections on what had taken place on the visit, what they had learned from and about the family, and what this new knowledge meant for teaching that particular child or the class as a whole. e teachers ’ goal was to help students achieve academically by providing effective instruction that linked students ’ learning in school to their background of knowledge and expe-riences. e teachers ’ reflections helped them focus on whether and how they were reaching that goal and on what modifications might be needed. Key Words: reflection, teachers and families, home visits, funds of knowledge, contextualized instruction, student achievement
Language: English
Subfield: Education
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
SDG: Quality education
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W1574126692