The spring before children come to kindergarten, Blaydes invites parents to school to tell them how they can help children get ready for school. We emphasize the importance of reading aloud and talking with kids. In the fall, we have parent-education nights to discuss the program in detail. To assure consistency among staff, Blaydes insists that his teachers meet, agree on their reading philosophy, and develop a message together. We don't want anyone bad-mouthing our program.
Names are important.
Our label is balanced literacy. Next, Blaydes makes sure the staff can articulate the program, and he puts it in writing, in jargon-free language that every parent can understand. Hold parent meetings. The school holds grade-level parent meetings where teachers present the program and answer questions. During these meetings, parents hear not only how children are taught but also how they learn and why different styles work with different learners.