Learning at Home, PreK-3

Ann C. Barbour is professor emerita of early childhood education at California State University, Los Angeles (CSULA). A former preschool and elementary teacher, she has over 30 years' experience in the field of early education. At CSULA, she teaches courses in best practices and trends and issues in early education, the role of play in learning, and school-family partnerships. She has coauthored two books: Prop Box Play: 50 Themes to Inspire Dramatic Play and Portfolio Assessment: A Handbook for Preschool and Elementary Teachers, as well as numerous articles on early childhood education. Barbour has worked with teachers, district administrators, parent representatives, and her own students in learning-at-home projects based on materials children take home from school. She also helped develop the Peabody Award-winning television series, A Place of Our Own and Los Ninos en Su Casa, and was content advisor for each of the 325 episodes produced in English and in Spanish. These series are designed to help parents and caregivers nurture the development and enrich the learning experiences of preschool-age children. They are broadcast daily on public television stations throughout the nation.

Acknowledgments About the Author Introduction 1. What We Know About Children's Learning Learning Principles Early Learning Practices 2. 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 Works 3. What About Homework? Benefits and Drawbacks Trends and Issues Responding to Challenges Promising Practices The Bottom Line 4. Encouraging Learning at Home What to Consider How to Make It Happen 5. 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 Fiction 6. 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 Sky 7. 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 Fieldtrips 9. 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 Projects Resources 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 Resources References

"This book has so many rich choices for families to work together at home. The School Home activities are categorized by academic subject and would be extremely easy for teachers or even an entire elementary school to incorporate as homework practices." -- Stephanie Malin, Instructional Coach "This book is a great resource for educators and families and is filled with practical ideas to engage everyone in the fun of learning." -- Susan Stewart, Curriculum Consultant, Supervisor, Adjunct Instructor "I am going to use this book and these wonderful ideas in writing my own professional goals for next year. The research, ideas, uses, materials are all very appropriate for me as I continue to grow as an experienced teacher who is interested in getting better every year!" -- Carol Forrest, Primary Teacher "I loved this book. What a great resource, full of activities and directions for those activities that parents and other caretakers can easily do at home." -- Nadia Mykysey, Educator "Wonderful! The author has done an excellent job of providing a wealth of materials for the educator and/or parent, as well as answering some tough questions about home learning for young children." -- Ken Klopack, Art and Gifted Educational Consultant "For young children (and their parents), homework is often a painful, empty experience. Barbour rethinks this age-old task with meaningful and powerful ways parents can joyfully connect with their children with the skills they need for school." -- Steven Hicks, Teacher "At this critical time in early childhood education, Barbour's book provides a valuable resource for programs seeking to strengthen ties between home and school. Grounded in the research on play and the benefits of family involvement in the learning process, this book provides a rich menu of ideas and resources that can be easily implemented in any early childhood setting." -- Blanche Desjean-Perrotta, Associate Professor of Early Childhood Education "There is no doubt that connecting with family members is of great benefit to a student's learning. Barbour presents clear and easy-to-implement strategies for successfully making this connection, with an emphasis on building positive home-school relationships and promoting learning together as an enjoyable experience for everyone involved." -- Leah M. Melber, Director of Student and Teacher Programs