I also have the parents come in as Guest Readers. The children love it. I send out a sign up the first week of school and then assign dates right away so parents can work it around work. When the parents come in they also bring a “story bit” or “story souvenir” to give to the children to take hom to keep in their story bit boxes that are kept at home. It is my hope the “bit” inspires some conversation between the child and the parents as usually they are quite excited to be read to from someone other then myself.

Family projects are another way to get families involved, especially those families that can never seem to get to the school for anything. Each month a simple fun project is sent home assuming the family does it together.

FLAME BAGS (Families Learning About Math Everywhere) These are simply bags of hands on math games and activities for familes to enjoy weekly.

We also list our seasonal walk dates (4 a year) along with any other special parent days where we would like them to come in–year end picnic, mothers day etc. during the first week of the school year giving lots of time for parents to plan ahead.

We invite any and all parents in for our “special” theme days once a month or so–usually it is the same few parents that come in but everyone has the opportunity. Our theme days also require great parent support to get them dressed up, bring theme related food etc.

We ask for regular classroom volunteers during our first 100 minute block to help with mailbags, take home reading program, math and literacy centres.

We have a homework fariy list for parents willing to cut, staple, organize or do other small tasks at home.

We certainly have our parents working in Kindergarten but my hope is to have high parent involvement in any way we can so parents see it as an integral part of their child’s education.