USING THE VIDEO IN SCHOOL WITH FAMILY GROUPS
A Bridge to Reading, What Families Need to Know can be an important part of a Back-to-School Night or PTA meeting focused on reading. It can help families see the important role they can play in their children's education.
Some tips for organizing an event like this:
- Review the video yourself. Jot down some notes about what you see. Did you have any questions as you watched? What other questions might other viewers have? What kinds of questions could you ask to introduce or follow up the video?
- Arrange for equipment to show the video. You will need a VCR and a monitor. Check the equipment before the event to make sure you know how to work it.
- Arrange the room to make sure that everyone in the audience has a clear view of the screen.
Before
you show the video, tell the audience a little bit about it. Mention
that the video looks at the ways parents can help their children read.
Tell them why you chose this video to show them, and what you hope they
will get out of watching it. - Give the audience a directed question to think about as they watch. You may want to ask them to look for things the families in the video do that they themselves would like to do.
- After viewing, you may want to review some of the major points the video made with your audience.
After
viewing, you may want to lead a discussion centered on this question:
What help does your audience need to feel comfortable about supporting
their children as they learn about words and reading? Where might you
get this help? Think about resources in your community — such as
schools, churches, libraries, and community centers.- Remember to thank you audience for coming, and remind them to keep reading with their families.
