[LorettaLynn]

I changed schools this year and hope that I will have parents that are willing to volunteer. Could someone share what they have their parent volunteers do in their classroom? I was thinking of having playdough parents to make playdough for the classroom, as well as some toy washing parents to come in from time to time. Would anyone be willing to share a letter that they send requesting for volunteers?
Thanks!

[Fun2TchK]

Here is my letter from last year. Hope it helps.

[jacque/Wa/K-1]

Paddy Eger wrote a very good book on how to use volunteers and help them to be great helpers....It's called "Educating America, 101 Strategies for Volunteers" or something similar to that..it's available on Amazon.

Parents can help with SO many things, if you can get them to come in consistently, you can have them man small groups and that keeps everyone focused and on task. You can spend less time training students what to do and more time teaching your own small group or doing individual reading conferences.

The trick is to relax, invite them in, and do not change what you do just because a parent happens to be there....even if it means disciplining their child in front of them.

[mmmejias]

thanks for sharing!

[LorettaLynn]

Thanks for the great letter and awesome ideas!