Create a strong home-school connection through family activities that extend learning!Packed with hundreds of engaging activities, this unique resource helps teachers plan developmentally appropriate, creative homework assignments that encourage positive learning experiences and reinforce home-school connections. Focusing on social interactions within the family, these fun, playful activities: Relate directly to children's own experiencesEmploy concrete, easily accessible materialsInclude shared reading experiences, family projects, and gamesIntegrate developmental and content areas, including language and literacy, mathematics, science, and the creative artsPromote literacy learning in homes where English is not the primary language

AcknowledgmentsAbout the AuthorIntroduction1. What We Know About Children's Learning Learning Principles Early Learning Practices2. Involving Families Family Involvement Matters Making Connections Why Families Don¿t Get Involved Teachers¿ and Parents¿ Viewpoints and Expectations A Multidimensional View of Family Involvement The Importance of Home-Culture Connections What Works3. What About Homework? Benefits and Drawbacks Trends and Issues Responding to Challenges Promising Practices The Bottom Line4. Encouraging Learning at Home What to Consider How to Make It Happen5. Language and Literacy Kits Writing Suitcase Backpack Buddies Puppet Packet Rhythm and Rhyme On the Road Friends and Neighbors All in a Day Opposites I Love Spiders! Sharing Stories Then and Now: African American History Family Pictures / Cuadros de Familia What¿s in a Name? Legends Grandparents Yum! Yum! Fact or Fiction6. Mathematics and Science Kits Count Up and Count Down Treasure Box Math Measurement and Me Patterns and Symmetry Everywhere Time and Time Again Tangrams Numbers Make Sense Big Numbers Fractions Are Fun It All Adds Up! Adventure Backpack Amazing Magnets My Five Senses Weather Shapes and Shadows Sink and Float Shells Trees Birds Insects and Bugs The Night Sky7. Creative Arts Kits The Music in Me Let¿s Pretend Dance! Something Beautiful Color My World Let¿s Get Physical My Crayons Talk Twisting and Turning Imagination Creations Jolly Junk Fiesta! Artists Everywhere!8. More Learning Activities: No Materials Required 75 Family Activities Family Fieldtrips9. Family Projects Time Capsule Our Family Cube Timeline All About Me Family Calendar Class Cookbook 100-Item Creation Neighborhood Map Here¿s Where I Live Milk Carton Creations Recycled Junk Sculpture Word Rings Mystery Bag Family Decorate and Dress-Up ProjectsResources Family Survey Sample Family Letter 1 Sample Family Letter 2 Sample Literacy Bag Agreement Poetry Award Cards Sample 1 Poetry Award Cards Sample 2 Neighborhood Walk Game Making Progress Game Road to Freedom Game Cake Walk / Endureza la Caminata Board Game Calendar Template Family Recipe Form Grand-Person or Grandparent Interview Questions Tangram Pattern Bar Graph Template Bird Puzzle Online ResourcesReferences