In teaching, the students are not the only ones whom the teacher should be talking to. Teachers should be in constant communication with parents. This step may be more difficult for teachers to act upon, but Danielson's Framework can help with this step. Keep reading below for more information on how to communicate with families.
What is Danielson's Domain 4C? Domain 4C of Danielson's Framework is focused on the teacher communicating with families about their students work as well as opportunities to serve in the classroom. There will be times when communication with families will be difficult, but this domain is working towards improving the skill of communication. If you are teaching in a younger grade, parents tend to be more communicative, but if you are teaching in middle or high school parents may not be as communicative. It is the responsibility of the teacher to be in communication with the parents, regardless of the age or grade level of the student. Why is Domain 4C of high importance? There will be times when parents are unable to physically come into the classroom, but it is important that the teacher make those parents feel as though they are connected with their student. Some parents work and many will have another child, therefore communication can be pushed to the side. This domain wants teachers to make sure that all parents feel included and can go to work with ease knowing that their child is cared for and that the teacher is doing a good job with their child. In addition to knowing their child is cared for, communication produces relationships between parents and teachers. This relationship is valued highly by the parents, and creates a better environment for the teacher. What are the elements of Domain 4C? Domain 4C of Danielson's Framework contains three different elements to assist the teacher in communicating with his or her students parents. Each of the elements are mentioned below along with a brief description.
Information about the Instructional Program
The teacher needs to be providing families with information about the instruction time that occurs inside the classroom. Teachers should be ensuring that the parents know exactly what happens during the day while there is instruction going on.
Information about Individual Students
Teachers should be telling the parents about the progress that their child does. The teacher should not withhold information from the parents unless there is a reason by the administration or state.
Engagement of Families in the Instructional Program
Teachers should be in constant communication with families which can result in successful relationships with the parents. The teacher should provide families with opporunities to participate in the classroom instructional activities.
How can this domain be incorporated into the classroom? There are many different ways to incorporate this domain into the classroom, but I will only be mentioning two different ways. If you have any suggestions or ideas of how to incorporate this domain into the classroom, feel free to contact me! The first way that this domain can be incorporated into the classroom is by having a classroom newsletter. The newsletter would keep the parents up to date with what is occurring in the classroom as well as events that parents should be marking down on their calendars. These newsletters can go home weekly or monthly, it is open to the teacher's desire. The more communication there is with parents, the better. These newsletters can be sent home with the students or emailed by the teacher. The second way to incorporate this domain into the classroom is to use a message system that works with parents and their cell phones or emails. One newer technology app that is out is Remind. This app for teachers allows teachers to text parents and students reminders about field trips and upcoming events in the classroom. The parents are able to respond or text the teacher also which keeps the teacher in constant communication with the parents in a more up to date technological way. Remind is free to download for teachers and students. This app is available in the App store or Andriod store. As mentioned above, if you have any more ideas on how to incorporate domain 4C into the classroom, don't hesitate to contact me. I love to hear all about the different ways that Danielson's Framework can be incorporated into the classroom.
References: (2017). Essextech.org. Retrieved 29 November 2017, from https://www.essextech.org/faculty_staff/docs/pdf/dom4_att.pdf (2017). Kusd.edu. Retrieved 29 November 2017, from http://www.kusd.edu/sites/default/files/document-library/english/possible-artifacts.pdf