What are your favorite ways to engage with families around the holidays?

I have a parent who contacted me today and wants to help in the classroom, but I’m not sure how to have them help. Any suggestions?

I am setting up an Amazon wishlist for families to purchase items (optionally!) for our classroom. What are items I should include on that wishlist?

What are some of your favorite STEAM activities that you like to do with elementary students (bonus if you can share something that could be done as a family!)?

How do you manage difficult parents that seem to blame teachers for their child's behavior and absences?

March is reading month! This year our reading month theme is - board games! What theme is your school using for reading month? And do you have a family night - if so, what type of evening do you plan with your families?

Back to School = Back to Family Literacy!

As we head into a new school year, let’s remember that literacy grows strongest when school and home work together.

Family literacy isn’t just about reading books—it’s about building language, curiosity, and a love of learning through everyday moments. 📖✨

Here are a few simple ways to weave literacy into your family’s daily life this fall:

Read Together – Even 10 minutes a day makes a difference.

Talk About Your Day – Conversation builds vocabulary and connection.

Write for a Purpose – Grocery lists, thank-you notes, and family calendars all count.

Share Stories – Tell family stories or make up your own adventures.

When families read, talk, and learn together, children’s confidence and academic success grow. Let’s make this year one where literacy thrives—in every classroom and every home. ❤️

What’s your favorite family reading tradition?

How do you include families as part of the end of year fun?

🎥 Family Book Trailer Challenge
What it is: Families work together to create a short video trailer for a favorite children’s book.
How to use: Share through Seesaw, Padlet, or Wakelet. Adds media literacy + excitement.
Our families utilized this as an extension after Reading Month in March.
How do you encourage students and their families to continue to celebrate reading - even after Reading Mont has ended?

How can we reassure parents that struggling with reading is not a reflection of their child's potential, but rather a natural part of the learning process?

Once a year our district partners with the local Great Start Family Coalition and we put on a Parent Academy - an evening where families can come to learn more about supporting their child/children at home to develop language and literacy skills. Local businesses provide supplies i.e. puppets, playdough, books etc. and parents rotate through interactive centers. In these centers they learn how to create reading spaces in their homes and so much more!
What are some effective ways to engage families in supporting their child’s literacy development at home?

How do you manage difficult parents that seem to blame teachers for their child's behavior and absences?

This year my class is having a "family luncheon". The parents have volunteered to bring the food and we will share in a time of thanksgiving. During the time, I have the students and parents write on a little note care what they are thankful for. I take those notes and type them into a document and send it to the parents. This is a great way to get parents support and build community. What are some other ideas that you have used to build community?

Celebrating Reading Month with Families! Check out all of the FREE literacy activities at: https://www.ginapepin.com/blank-10-1-1

We host a STEAM night each year at our school and are always looking for large scale activities that families can engage in together. Have you been successful with any activities that you would recommend?

Does your school or district plan an open house prior to the first day of school, on the night of the first day of school, or sometime afterwards?