The Fredonia Migrant Education Tutorial and Support Services (METS) program center developed bi-monthly educational packets, so families and their children have bilingual books and materials to read, which provides opportunities for shared learning experiences. METS Staff deliver the packets to families and review materials and instructions with them, and if parents want, start the activities, and then allow for the parents and children to complete on their own.
Books and activities for the preschool through fifth grade students provide opportunities to read stories with which they may not be familiar. This allows them to gain background knowledge that is needed for in-school discussions or as reference points for other literature they may come across. Extension activities, and all supplies needed to complete them, are included in the packets. All books are for the children and families to keep. The packets were designed for the family to use together, so they can explore the stories that are part of the school culture and prompt discussions about the book themes, while completing the hands-on activities.
Middle school and high school student packets include targeted study skills, materials to utilize the new skill, and career exploration information which highlights career options for two or four years of college and certification programs. METS Staff incorporate the study skill use into their educational sessions with students. Older students and parents are asked to discuss various job opportunities. In this way, parents can help their children develop a sense of the jobs that they see themselves having after completing high school, along with the steps needed to get there.
As we know, parents are a child’s first teacher, and having shared experiences by way of reading with and discussing ideas with their children helps cement that role. The Fredonia METS developed these packets to give parents the necessary items to foster their child’s imagination and creativity and prompt family discussions.
Written by: Lucy Johnson, Director, Fredonia METS
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