Miss C’s Family System Page
Welcome to my classroom!
Chapter 1
Funds of Knowledge
Chapter 2
The Diversity of Families
Chapter 3
Cultural Identity
(my siblings with our grandmother)
Who am I? I am a sister, daughter, friend, girlfriend, Christian, fashionista, teacher, dog mom, photographer, and advocate.
What is my cultural background? My grandfather came from the Netherlands, I am mostly Dutch and white.
What family traditions regarding play have been passed down? My grandparents grew up being active and enjoying the outdoors. My dad was an athlete in school. They all passed down the love of being active and enjoying the outdoors to me.
What family Christmas traditions have been passed down from one generation to the next? We go to Christmas service and enjoy family games. Even though we are all grown up, my siblings and parents still wake up early to enjoy a huge breakfast before going to my grandparents house for the day. It is such a blissful morning at the Chedester house.
What family traditions have been about the high school years? My siblings and I all attended the same high school as my dad's family did.
What family traditions have been passed down from one generation to the next in the area of marriage and family? The traditions of marriage started with my great grandparents, we are all married to the opposite gender. It started with my parents having our great uncle who is a pastor officiate the weddings. So far my sister, cousins and second cousins have carried that tradition along.
What other unique family traditions have been passed down? My great great grandparents were married and had their first child at 20 years old. My grandma's mom was married and had her by 20, my grandma did the same thing. My mom and dad were married and had my sister by 20. However, my siblings and I have broke the tradition. My older sister was just married at 27 with no children. The only one that could keep the trend alive is my 19- year- old baby brother, and he sees no marriage or children in the near future.
What is my cultural background? My grandfather came from the Netherlands, I am mostly Dutch and white.
What family traditions regarding play have been passed down? My grandparents grew up being active and enjoying the outdoors. My dad was an athlete in school. They all passed down the love of being active and enjoying the outdoors to me.
What family Christmas traditions have been passed down from one generation to the next? We go to Christmas service and enjoy family games. Even though we are all grown up, my siblings and parents still wake up early to enjoy a huge breakfast before going to my grandparents house for the day. It is such a blissful morning at the Chedester house.
What family traditions have been about the high school years? My siblings and I all attended the same high school as my dad's family did.
What family traditions have been passed down from one generation to the next in the area of marriage and family? The traditions of marriage started with my great grandparents, we are all married to the opposite gender. It started with my parents having our great uncle who is a pastor officiate the weddings. So far my sister, cousins and second cousins have carried that tradition along.
What other unique family traditions have been passed down? My great great grandparents were married and had their first child at 20 years old. My grandma's mom was married and had her by 20, my grandma did the same thing. My mom and dad were married and had my sister by 20. However, my siblings and I have broke the tradition. My older sister was just married at 27 with no children. The only one that could keep the trend alive is my 19- year- old baby brother, and he sees no marriage or children in the near future.
Chapter 5
Creating Effective Partnerships
Below are clips from our textbook about creating effective partnerships for families, school and communities.
Projects
Meet Miss C! |
Chapter 6
Projects
The communication tool I enjoyed using was my cooperating teacher's site. It is easy to navigate and has all the essential links you need! It is especially helpful now with all of her lesson plans for the students doing home-based learning! Click here to see her website!
Chapter 7
Chapter 10
Ways to Reach Parents
- Daily Log: Use a form to let the parents know how their child performed in school on a daily basis. The teacher can provide feedback for the parent by writing comments of great things and challenges that faced the child.
- Newsletters: Use a newsletter to offer tips for parents. There are things all parents can do to help their children in school that are important to parents of children both with disabilities and without.
- Letters: Letters are another effective means of communicating an idea or message to parents. Letters should state the concern, then present methods or suggestions for dealing with or changing the situation. Include any guidelines or datelines that are pertinent, and finally, end with a conclusion and an offer for assistance if need.
- Facebook and Twitter: The use of Facebook and Twitter should be done carefully by special education teachers because there is a great amount of confidential information that should not be shared with the general public. Teachers may want to create a classroom website that offers parents an opportunity to look at the information teachers need to share, such as suggested activities, homework, and reading lists, among others, and also perhaps a blog where parents can communicate with one another and share ideas.
Family Reactions to Disabilities: Parents' Initial Response:
- Denial- Parents who deny the existence of a child’s disability feel threatened. Their security is uncertain, and they are defending their egos or self-concepts. Time, patience, and support will help these parents see that much can be gained through helping children with disabilities realize their potential.
- Projection of Blame- A common reaction is to blame the situation on something or someone else. Again, patience, willingness to listen to the parent, and tact will help the professional deal with a potentially hostile situation.
- Fear- The parents may not be acquainted with the cause or characteristics of the disability. They may have unfounded suspicions or erroneous information, which causes anxiety and fear. Provide information but be sure to give the information in amounts that parents can handle.
- Guilt- Parents’ feelings of guilt – thinking they should have done something differently or believing the disability is retribution for a misdeed – are difficult to deal with. The professional can help by encouraging guilt-ridden parents to channel their energies into more productive activities.
- Grief- Grief is a natural reaction to a situation that brings extreme pain and disappointment. It is necessary to allow the parents to go through a healing process before they can learn about their child and how the child can develop.
- Withdrawal.- Being able to withdraw and collect oneself is a healthy, necessary response. It is when one begins to shun others, avoid situations, and maintain isolation that it becomes potentially damaging.
- Rejection- There are many reasons for rejection and many ways of exhibiting it. It may be subtle, feigning acceptance, or it may be open and hostile. Some forms of rejection are failing to recognize positive attributes, setting unrealistic goals, escaping by desertion, or presenting a favorable impression to others while inwardly rejecting the child.
- Acceptance- This is the goal and realization of maturity. The parents and the child can then grow and develop into stronger, wiser, and more compassionate human beings.