Homeside Activities--Grade 5.

Providing a low-key, nonthreatening way for teachers and parents to build partnerships for kids, this book presents short, concrete activities in English and Spanish to foster communication between teachers and parents and between parents and children. While the activities in the book are designed for grade 5, none of the activities have grade-specific references; they can also be used in mixed-grade and ungraded classrooms. The activities in the book make it easy for parents to contribute a "homeside" to their children's schoolside learning. The activities in the book are introduced once or twice a month in class, completed at home, and then incorporated into a follow-up classroom activity or discussion. Typically these 15- to 20-minute activities in the book are reciprocal parent-child interviews or opportunities to share experiences and opinions. The book begins with a description of "homeside activities" and their benefits, guidelines for teachers, and a letter to parents. The 18 teacher pages and activities in the book are on topics such as everyday math, poetry performance, opinions, family folklore, group work, and school year collage. (RS)