Too often, today’s student feels alienated from school, and learning suffers as a result. Developing a relationship with the family can provide the missing link in the educational chain. Reaching Out is an invaluable resource for compassionate educators interested in building strong relationships with their students’ families.

A dynamic team of teachers and teacher educators have combined their first-hand experience and in-depth research in this essential guidebook. By involving the entire family in the educational experience, teachers can bridge the gap separating home and school and help produce happier, healthier, and smarter kids.

Highlights include:

-Building trust with families
-Communicating in positive ways with students’ families
-Implementing family workshops
-Involving families through innovative homework ideas

Based on a five-year study, the information will be particularly helpful for teachers whose classrooms reflect a diverse student population. By incorporating these concepts and techniques, you not only enhance the learning experience you also help your students to be more compassionate and excited about school.

Diane W. Kyle: Diane W. Kyle is a professor in the Department of Teaching and Learning at the University of Louisville. She codirected with Ellen McIntyre a research project, “Children’s Academic Development in Nongraded Primary Programs,” funded by the Center for Research on Education, Diversity, and Excellence (CREDE) at the University of California at Santa Cruz. She lives in Louisville, KY.

Ellen McIntyre: Ellen McIntyre is a literacy professor in the Department of Teaching and Learning at the University of Louisville, where she teaches courses on lit­eracy research and instruction and studies children’s development in light of instructional contexts. She also codirected with Diane Kyle a research project, “Children’s Academic Development in Nongraded Primary Programs,” funded by the Center for Research on Education, Diversity, and Excellence (CREDE) at the University of California at Santa Cruz. She lives in Louisville, KY.

Karen B. Miller: Karen B. Miller has taught elementary school for more than twenty years in grades 1–4. She currently teaches at Roby Elementary in Bullitt County, Kentucky. She lives in Shepherdsville, KY.
Gayle H. Moore: Gayle H. Moore recently retired after teaching elementary school for thirty-one years at grades K–8, including nine years in the nongraded primary program at LaGrange Elementary in Oldham County, Kentucky. She lives in La Grange, KY.