Engaging children with science, sparking curiosity, encouraging questioning and hands-on exploration are among the top priorities for educators at Nicola Saporita-Clark's primary school in Lancashire, and something they have worked hard to engage the whole school community with over a number of years. They recognise that not all families have the…

This article illustrates several types of at-home science experiences that could be incorporated during grades K-2 to provide enriching science experiences that are motivating for students without requiring exhaustive work and preparation. These activities are designed to augment science interest and enthusiasm of students in the classroom and…

Families lay the foundation for their children's future educational success. Engaging families in mathematics education has positive benefits for their child's attitude, motivation to learn, and academic achievement. Fostering school-home partnerships are essential to ensure that mathematics learnt in the classroom have wider applicability to home…

A study to find out how teachers involve parents in learning programs is described. Teachers are advised to send letters to the parents of students they will be teaching the following year asking for support in overcoming summer learning loss. Specific activities teachers could suggest are offered. (MT)

To produce maximum learning achievement, parents and teachers can take five basic steps: (1) finding a simple approach to mastery learning; (2) improving learning conditions at the beginning of sequential courses; (3) improving the home study environment; (4) helping students develop "automatic" reading skills; and (5) stressing higher mental…

Three types of homework assignments are commmon in schools in the United States: practice, preparation, and extension. To be effective, practice exercises must be highly individualized and based on the progress of each student. Preparation normally refers to reading assignments given prior to class meetings. Homework of this sort should be…

To encourage widespread parental participation in schools, both lay persons and professional staff should understand the primary assumptions which undergird shared efforts to create a unified, effective system of schooling. Proposed practice for an effective schooling system must be related to: (1) democratic concepts and their presumed strengths…

Describes a Missouri-based program, Parents as Teachers (PAT), in which professionals work with parents to develop literacy activities in the home. Discusses a new adaptation of the original PAT program, its observed effects, and implications for schools. (MG)

Home-based programs provide opportunities at a level far beyond what a traditional public school program can offer. To stem enrollment losses to homeschooling, or simply to help families interested in home-based option, public schools are enrolling children and sending them home, where they follow the school's curriculum under their parents'…

Project Step-Up, a federally funded program which serves primary-level potentially gifted and talented children who are economically disadvantaged, bilingual, or have special needs, developed methods to involve parents in their child's educational growth and development. Methods include parent education seminars, home-based activities, and a…