Parent Workshops

Since 2001, Turning the Page has developed more than 30 distinct 90-minute parent workshops offered during TTP Community Nights.  Our workshops create networks of parents that care about one another, share their dreams for their children with each other, and learn together.  Creating this supportive network of engaged parents strengthens the fabric of communities and provides a foundation from which other sustainable community objectives can be achieved.

TTP workshops are based on research that emphasizes the importance of parental involvement in child learning. Traditionally, TTP has focused on literacy connections by sharing strategies parents can use to help their children become fluent readers, as well as encourage an appreciation for literature, poetry, and creative writing. While literacy remains the centerpiece of our workshop curriculum, in recent months, we have begun exploring ways to connect reading and writing through other content areas, specifically science, social studies, and math. TTP collaborates with community leaders as well as teachers in our partner schools to add relevance to the workshops. Having teachers serve as workshop leaders also provides parents with an opportunity to meet and interact with teachers in their school, and simultaneously encourages teachers to encourage parental involvement in their classrooms.

Introduction to the School Community: Workshops focusing on homework strategies, preparing for parent-teacher conferences, building a strong relationship with your child's teachers, choosing an SES provider for your child and gaining an understanding of the DCPS educational content standards, all help parents get back into the swing of things at the beginning of the school year.  Both parents who are new to a school, and those who are veterans, benefit from these conversations.  

Science: In recognition of the school district's renewed emphasis on science standards and the addition of science to D.C.'s standardized tests, TTP has made integrating science themes into our Community Night programs a priority.  One of our goals is to encourage amongst families an interest in and awareness of science-related professions, and how a quality education starting in the primary grades can help prepare you for an exciting career in the sciences.  To this end, TTP has nurtured partnerships with the National Institutes of Health and Allbritton Communications, parent company of ABC--7 News.  These partnerships will seek to engender an excitement around the sciences, and demonstrate the various educational and career opportunities made possible by a strong foundation in the sciences.  We invite members of the community to share their experiences with families at Community Nights.  Dr. Carla Easter, an education specialist at the National Human Genome Research Institute, speaks to parents about her work as a researcher in family health history.  Adam Caskey, a meteorologist at ABC-7 News speaks to both parents and children about his career forecasting the weather and chasing storms.  These special visitors offer parents some real-world insight into the benefits that can be obtained from a solid foundation in science education.

Art and Social Studies: Through a partnership with The Phillips Collection museum of modern art, another workshop introduces parents and children to the art of Jacob Lawrence, and his famous Great Migration series.  Focusing on urban art and the African American migration, this workshop directly ties to the social studies lessons students are taught in their classrooms.  

Math: In a similar way, TTP invites math teachers from each school, and individuals from the community, to introduce math to parents, and make it a fun learning experience for the entire family.  Many parents are unfamiliar with the new Everyday Math curriculum that is taught in D.C. classrooms.  Events such as Family Math Night offer an opportunity for parents to become familiar with this new system, as well as to meet their child's teachers.

College Savings: A workshop on the DC College Savings Plan demonstrates the impact that early saving can have on a child's future, and designs strategies that can lead to significant savings, even with very tight household budgets.  TTP also lets parents know of the DC TAG program and scholarship programs that will be available to their children as they get older.  We introduce these concepts to parents of elementary school children, because we firmly believe that encouraging parents to develop concrete plans for their children's future at an early stage can set a positive tone for their children and for their own future involvement.

In addition to workshops related to the DC education standards, over the years Turning the Page has offered workshops on a variety of topics including: conflict resolution, healthy eating, civic engagement, celebrating DC communities, street law, and parent advocacy.