Iris Module: Collaborating with Families Group Activity

Part 1 of the assignment:Read and each section of the module and watch the videos.Answer the questions below for each section of the module.

Initial Thoughts

Answer the 2 questions before proceeding to the Perspectives and Resources section

Section 2: Emotional Reactions to Disability

Complete the activity in the purple box. Reflect on the usefulness of this activity. What are your takeaways?

Section 3: Additional Roles of Families

Have you ever made assumptions in regards to why families are not more engaged in their child's education or school activities? Are you more likely to "think outside of the box" to engage families now that you have a better understanding of the additional roles that these families face? Share a few strategies.

Section 4: Stressors of Daily living

Complete the activity in the purple box. Reflect on the usefulness of this activity. What are your takeaways?

Section 5: Building Positive Relationships

Read the South Carolina Red Carpet Initiative. Add three activities that you would add to the list to make parents and families feel welcome to become partners at your school or organization.

Section 6: Encouraging Involvement

Explore the six types of family involvement and the examples. What would you add to the list in each area?

Section 7: Respecting Families

Review some of the strategies that teachers can implement to support students from a variety of ethnic and cultural backgrounds. Choose 3 of the strategies and explain how implementing them will improve outcomes for students.

Section 8: Acknowledging Strengths

How will focusing on student strengths as opposed to focusing on their disability increase family engagement? Provide examples of increased engagement due to strength-based communication. Provide examples of decreased engagement due to a focus on disability.