The Importance of Connecting Home Culture with School Culture

Ha ha ha!  My first blog EVER!!!

It is important for our English language learners AND educators to make a connection between home and school culture.  These students are not just learning a language.  In many cases, these kids are learning a whole new culture, a new way of communicating.  We, as teachers, need to know where these kids are 'coming from'.  We need to understand how they live at home (or even if they came from another country!).  We need to be patient and realize that this is brand new for many of our students, especially the younger ones!  From my experience teaching in the city, I know that some of these kids come from places where they may have not received a formal education.  Some children have come from refugee camps.  I imagine going to school is the least important thing on their minds, while fleeing to safety in fear for their lives.  THAT is why we need to realize that these kids come from different backgrounds, experiences, life styles, home lives...We need to realize that and then teach with that in mind.

I, specifically, want to be able to relate their home culture to school culture as sort of a connection.  I want to learn about them and their lives (as much as they want to share), their educational history, their family experiences....because not only do I WANT to know, but I also NEED to know, in order to be the understanding, kind, patient teacher that I wish to be,  I want my students to know that even though I probably don't have the same experiences that they do, I can still listen and understand and hopefully give them the supports they need.  I also want to connect with families, for the same reason.  I truly enjoy meeting parents (usually) during parent conferences.  Most parents are glad to communicate in person so they can tell me things that wouldn't ordinarily come up in a note or a text.  Even beyond the language issue, parents have told me things like, the mom was going to be in the hospital for surgery and wouldn't be picking her child up after school.  I needed to know this so I would understand if the child didn't complete all homework, or if the child was worried....any changes in behavior...At least I knew what was going on at home and that would help me understand the child more and any different behaviors in school that might occur.  

Now turning attention to language barriers, it is a similar (but not the same) situation.  I have a student, for example, that only speaks Spanish at home.  Her mom knows very little English.  My student is the translator.  I need to know this for many reasons!  This fact affects HOW I communicate with the mom, and it also makes me realize that school is pretty much the only access to English that this young lady has!!!  Recently when I was tutoring the young lady, I had asked her about her history with learning English, since there is no English spoken at thome.  She said she STARTED  learning English a few years ago by watching cartoons!!  Scooby doo!!!!  For situations like hers, it is very important that we know what goes on at thome so we can use that knowledge to help the student build on that in order to master the desired skills.

The big hurdle with this need to relate school and home culture is TIME.  I want and need to get to know my students and 'where they come from', but that is almost impossible due to lack of time.  I'm having a great time tutoring a fourth grader who's first language is not English.  We have lots of time to talk, have in-depth conversations...she loves when I ask her questions about her life and her past.  But I would NEVER have time to do this with each student!  At the very minimum, during the first week of school, I always have my students write "My Story'...where they write all about their lives and who they are as a person, and what experiences have help developed into the person they are.  Luckily we have 'voice to text' on our chromebooks,, so that apprehensive writers can bypass the struggle of writing (for now) and get to what I really want to know!  Then we share (optional).  That is something I always start off my year with.  We have also had fabulous cultural celebrations!  Children and families are invited to celebrate with food, music, customs, clothes....from their culture!  It is absolutely phenomenal!!!  I, of course, share my culture (Italian) . I show videos and pictures and bring in Italian food!!!  That is another way we connect the two cultures of home and school.  Doing these activities also encourages and hopefully inspires tolerance of others.

I would love more ideas on how to connect home and school cultures!  Please feel free to respond (respectfully please).  I appreciate input and advice!!!  Thank you for reading my first blog ever!!!