Youth are natural scientists at birth, discovering and exploring their world and trying to make sense of it (Bers, 2008). A child's education is not limited to just the time they spend in the classroom. Children learn at home with their families, in public libraries, or through out-of-school-time (OST) experiences provided at community centers and…

A Family Geography Night (FGN) kit can be used to bring families together, teach about the world, give parents the opportunity to share their beliefs, and participate in the educational system while having fun! Geography is an essential element of twenty-first-century education. More than just maps, geography is the interaction of cultures,…

This rejoinder provides responses to the conceptual concerns expressed in the nine critiques published in this issue of "Educational Researcher" of the 2008 National Early Literacy Panel report. It explains the necessity of adhering to clearly established study selection parameters in conducting trustworthy meta-analyses and the need to be…

This guide reports on a project that demonstrated family-based English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) tutoring delivered by volunteer literacy tutors, many of whom were parents with young children. Group members worked together to define the project in terms of the individuals involved in it. Tutors were trained in the context of the project with…

This manual is part two of a three-part series of materials from a family literacy demonstration project conducted in Philadelphia public schools. It contains materials on 10 themes that were taught over a 7-month period. The activities in each theme are organized into class activities and home activities. The class activities support the adults'…

This handbook for the nonprofessional provides basic information, organizational suggestions,and program ideas for operating child care programs which do not require advance registration or regular attendance. The focus is on child care provided in conjunction with "family-centered programs" (such as parent discussion groups) where…

Developed in Florida during for the International Year of the Family (IYF) 1994, this packet contains lesson plans and resource materials for activities designed to strengthen families. The lesson plans can be used in middle schools and high schools. Lesson plan topics are as follows: family wellness; commitment; communication; appreciation;…

This manual is the third of a three-part series of materials from a family literacy demonstration project conducted in Philadelphia public schools. It contains five units. The beginning unit has activities to use in getting started and to use as everyday activities throughout the program. The other four units have theme activities appropriate for…

Describes the New York Aquarium's program specifically designed for family learning and teaching. The program's goal is to create an environment where child-parent roles are dropped and where the philosophy that no one of us is as smart as all of us prevails. Strategies for family involvement are outlined. (MH)

A family literacy demonstration project was conducted to offer family literacy classes in three public schools in Philadelphia. Instruction was offered for 2.5 hours per day 4 days per week for parents of kindergartners and first graders from January to June and for parents and children together in July. The project was designed to help adults…