Importance of Families 4: Parent Panel

Summary

Students will participate in parent panel by discussing family rules and by asking the parents questions that they would like to ask their parents.

Materials

Unit packet, parent panel

Background for Teachers

Class has been thinking about and discussing the importance of communication within families. Teacher will arrange for a parent panel to attend class this day and will have some sample questions on hand so parents will know the types of questions they will be asked.

Student Prior Knowledge

Importance of quality communication within families. Steps of effective communication.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Students will begin to understand where parents are coming from when they make and enforce family rules.

Instructional Procedures

Introduction: (10 minutes)
Have students open their packet to the "Family Patterns" page. They will list 5 rules that their parents have. Discuss some of the rules and determine if they are justified and why parents might think those rules are important.

Have students come up with 3 questions that they would ask their parents if they could. Explain that we are going to have guests in class today... parents! Remind students to be nice and considerate to others' parents.

This is the students' chance to get inside the minds of parents. Have students introduce their parents. Have parents give a brief history of self (how long married, number of children, ages, etc)

Questions for parents (remainder of class time):

1. Do you have expectations for your children (hopes for what they will become or do in life)?
2. Do you think you have the right or responsibility to search children's bedrooms?
3. Have you tried to get your kids involved in the same things/activities you were involved in?
4. What is the hardest thing about being a parent?
5. What is the greatest joy of being a parent?
6. Are there things you would do differently if you could?

Have students ask some of their questions if there is time remaining.

Conclusion:
Thank parents for coming and ask if there is any advice that they would give to students.

Strategies for Diverse Learners

Be sure that diverse learning students can see and hear the parent panel clearly.

Extensions

Gifted students might want to help with panel selection and additional questions to be given to teacher in advance of class.

Assessment Plan

Students will be assessed through Unit packet pages relating to communication with parents and through the interaction and respect shown to parents on the parent panel.