Resources+for+Families

Families are a tremendous asset in helping ensure students are learning effectively and continuing to make progress academically. This page is intended to provide educators with some of the many resources available that can help increase family involvement with students' education.

Helpful Documents

 * Reading Bookmark -** Provided by the New York City DOE's Office of English Language Learners, these bookmarks can be used by families when reading with children. This bookmark provides example questions in English and Spanish that parents can ask their students while reading together. [[file:NYCDOE_ELLbookmark2009_Spanish.pdf]]. Visit the DOE's website for access to other bookmarks in 8 different langauges: []

Visit the DOE's website for access to other bookmarks in 13 different langauges: []
 * Parent-Teacher Conference Bookmark** - Also provided by the DOE's Office of English Language Learners, this bookmark provides example questions that families can ask at parent teacher conferences. [[file:NYCDOE_ELLsBookmark2008Eng.pdf]]

Useful Links

 * Chicomania** - For families that speak Spanish, this site offers educational games and activities that elementary school children and families can do together. Although some parts of the site are open to anyone, families must create a username and password to access the full site: []


 * Colorin Colorado** - This page on the website offers tip sheets for families with babies through families with third graders (available in nine other languages): []. The rest of the site also has other resources for families for how to help their children succeed in school: [].


 * ESL Party Land** - A site designed for older students (middle school to high school) that has high-interest articles, games, and activities: [].


 * The New York Public Library** – A website where children and parents can find books and fun activities or even write their own book reviews. The site also has games, online books and search features: [|kids.nypl.org]


 * PBS** - Parents can log on to get tips and activities to do with their elementary school-aged children, as well as read articles about student learning. Children can play games with their favorite PBS show characters: [|www.pbs.org/parents] and [|www.pbskids.org]


 * Reading is Fundamental** - Sponsored by a children and family non-profit literacy organization, the website has tips and activities (like songs, reading suggestions) to encourage elementary school children and parents to read and have fun! English and Spanish versions of the website can be located at: [|www.rif.org] and [|www.rif.org/leer]


 * Salon** **Hogar** - A website for Spanish speaking families that has tutorials to help elementary through early middle school students with science, math, social studies, English, and Spanish: []