Parent Assisted Learning (PAL) Packets™

An Introduction for Parents

Left-click on the arrow for the next slide

Right-click for navigational and other options

Why is parental involvement in education important?

[Students] are more likely to earn higher grades and test scores, graduate from high school, and go on to higher education. Low-income and minority students benefit the most.

- National Coalition for Parental Involvement in Education

Introduction to PAL Packets

• What Is a PAL Packet?• What Is Its Purpose?• Features of PAL Packets• Creating a Positive Learning Environment

in Your Home• How Well Is Your Child Doing?• Communication Is Key

What Is a PAL Packet?• A short activity aligned to

an important skill or objective in language arts or math

• An activity that your child completes with you

• An activity that enriches concepts taught in the classroom

What Is Its Purpose?• Provide additional exposure to

key skills or objectives• Provide students with extra help

and encouragement• Provide additional practice to

increase student achievement• Promote parental involvement

• A short, motivating activity using multiple intelligences

• Graphic organizers to develop students’ thought processes

• Reference sheets to review material learned in the classroom

Features of PAL Packets

PAL Packets typically include:

Parent Letter

• States the skill or objective in the first paragraph

• Asks you to do the activities with your child and to have the paper returned to the teacher

Parent A ssisted L earning

Dear Parent or Guardian: Your child is currently learning how to identify a synonym for another word. Here is your chance to help your child practice this important skill. In this PAL Packet you will find a short activity for you and your child to do. Please do the activity and The Back Page this evening. Then sign your name on The Back Page and have your child return it tomorrow. Remember, parents are a child’s first teacher. Thank you for your time and energy in making learning fun and exciting for your child. Sincerely,  _________________________Your child’s teacher

Explanation

• Parent Pointer: Explains more about the skill or objective, such as why it is important, where it is used in real life, etc.

• Directions: Explains in detail what to do

Parent A ssisted L earning

SYNONYMS

Parent Pointer — The ability to recognize synonyms is a skill that can make reading and writing more interesting and enjoyable f or your child. A synonym is a word that means the same or nearly the same as another word. Strange and unusual are synonyms because they have the same meaning. Being able to identif y a synonym for another word will help your child better understand what he or she is reading.

Reading in the Home, on the Go, and for the Fun of I t — DI RECTI ONS: Read the Synonyms page to your parent or partner. Talk about the defi nition of a synonym and the pairs of synonyms with him or her. Read the directions on the I dentif y Synonyms page. Then, complete the page. Share your synonyms with your parent or partner. Read the directions on the Writing Sentences page. Write the sentences. Read them to your parent or partner. Talk about the synonyms you chose.

Talk about I t — Af ter you have fi nished the activity, turn to The Back Page to show what you know.

Activity

• Designed to improve your child’s skills and give him or her extra practice

• Has some type of worksheet or game for you and your child to complete together

I dentify Synonyms

Directions: Read the words below. Write two synonyms f or each word listed.

huge

shouted

real

f ast

danger

Parent A ssisted L earning

The Back Page

• Has questions and alternate activities to close the lesson

The Back Page Parent — Ask your child the following question:

Why is it important to learn about synonyms?

Student — Answer the above question in a complete sentence on the reverse side of this page.

OR

Do one of the following activities on the reverse side of this page.

Have your parent or partner list five words. Write a

synonym for each word. Write a short story. Have your parent or partner

underline three words in the story. Write a synonym for each underlined word.

Talk about I t

__________________________ Student’s Name

__________________________ Parent or Guardian’s Signature

Creating a Positive Learning Environment in Your Home

• Create a designated quiet area for homework. This area should have:– A desk or table with a comfortable chair

– Good lighting

– No distractions, such as TV, radio, or phone

– School supplies: pencils, scissors, paper, glue, crayons, etc.

– Reference materials: dictionary, atlas or globe, thesaurus, etc.

• Plan a consistent schedule for your child to begin his or her homework each day

How Well Is Your Child Doing?

• Know what is expected

• Seek teacher feedback• Understand test scores• Be acquainted with

your child’s homework

• Know how well your child is reading

• Assess computer skills• Pay attention to social

skills• Listen to your child

Communication Is Key

• You are the most important person in your child’s life

• Communicate a positive approach to learning

• Communicate clear expectations

• Provide praise• Be consistent• Ask questions that

allow for discussion

Research overwhelmingly demonstrates that parent involvement in children’s learning is positively related to achievement.

- School Improvement Research SeriesKathleen Cotton and Karen Reed Wikelund

Enjoy using your PAL Packets!

Click here to return to the Main Menu