The Teacher's Guide for Supporting Students from Military Families

Book excerpt: While it is true that children from military families live unique and interesting lives, it is also true that they face many challenges and special circumstances that civilian children and families don't experience. These can include gaps in school attendance and learning due to frequent moves, being separated from a parent who has been deployed, and a sense of isolation in the midst of a civilian community. This comprehensive and evidence-informed guide introduces pre- and inservice teachers to this population and provides essential tools to help minimize the impact of military life on student learning. It addresses issues such as: Frequent transitions between schools, gaps in academic progress, social adjustment, parental deployments, and trauma or tragedy. And it shows how practices already being used in your school can be adapted to ease the transition for military students, and it also introduces original strategies, such as: A "Hero Wall" honoring members of the military, friendship or memory gardens, military Appreciation events, writing letters or making care packages for deployed service members.