This is great. We will be back. Because many of the parents at the district's underperforming schools are struggling to learn English, they have trouble reading books their children bring home. Parents who are too intimidated to read aloud are taught to use wordless picture books so they can create stories with their children. Once parents build their confidence, many volunteer to read to classes.
More nontraditional projects attempt to break down cultural and generational barriers.
In some classes, such as those attended by Maria Madrigal at Sherman, parents write autobiographies. Instead of bickering with their children about chores, finances or meals, parents find themselves talking to their children about literature and family history. The result is a better environment for homework and learning. Other projects have parents keeping journals with their children. The diaries are similar to those the students write in at school.