Tanya Perkins,a first-year teacher,has home visits planned for next week to meet her students and their families before the start of the school year.Most of her students live in two-parent families,but there are several blended families represented in her classroom.She also has one student from Guatemala who was recently adopted by a family she has worked with in the past.There is also one student living with lesbian partners.Provide several open-ended questions Tanya should include in her conversation with families to help her break the ice and get to know her students' families better.

Trueell me about your child and your family.How does your child refer to you? How do you refer to your child (special nicknames)? How would you like me to refer to you? How should I address letters,notes,and invitations home to school events? Who else should be invited to school celebrations/conferences? Have you lived in this community long? Are there other family members living nearby? How involved are they in your child's life? Are there any special considerations regarding your family you'd like me to know about? How confidential is this information? What concerns do you have about your child and this school year? What would you like to see or do you expect to see this year?