Inviting Families into the Heart of Our Classroom
Parent Corner: Ideas and Inspiration from My Fellow WOL Teachers
We’ve been on a mission to bring our students’ families more deeply into our course activities, and it turns out our WOL teachers are doing a wonderful job of it! Recently, in our Teams channel, they shared a wealth of creative strategies that have already made a difference in my classroom. Here are just a few highlights:
Communication That Builds Bridges
One WOL instructor decided to send short video messages to parents instead of long, detailed emails. Families loved being able to see and hear her tone, which made sensitive topics feel more approachable. Even parents who initially hesitated to engage are now more comfortable and better informed.
Showcasing Family Heritage
Another instructor teaching German encouraged students to dig into their ancestry, virtually “visiting” the Deutsches Auswandererhaus (German Emigration Center) in Bremerhaven. Some students discovered family letters, postcards, and mementos, sparking conversations about generational knowledge. They’ve even used a handwriting guide to decipher old texts, what a fantastic way to integrate personal history into coursework!
Turning Classroom Projects into Family Projects
In Environmental Biology, students are growing microgreens and planning a “family dinner night.” This has generated a wave of excitement, parents and guardians help plan meals, share recipes, and send photos of their final dishes. Projects like this transform coursework into a shared family experience, one that can be tasted and enjoyed together.
I can’t wait to see how these practices continue to evolve. Thanks to my fellow WOL teachers for sharing such practical and inspiring ways to bring families into our classrooms!
How About You?
Have you found any unique ways to involve parents and guardians in course activities? What has (or hasn’t!) worked for you? Feel free to share your own ideas and experiences so we can continue to learn from each other and build a stronger, more connected learning community. Let’s keep the conversation going!
Thank you . When I do cultural activities ( Cinco de Mayo , or a celebration , a Mother’s Day luncheon or an activity on holidays. I inquire with families their traditions. I ask parents to share a meal in with the students and their experiences. I also have had success with inviting parents to share their careers choices within a background of international relations, travel , or the international food industry. Many great paths to share .