The kids used a computerized encyclopedia and books from the library to come up with words and images for their presentations, which essentially were short electronic books. Keep parents involved and in close communication with teachers. This year, at least one parent from every child's family visited the school or had a telephone conversation with a teacher. Further, every student in grades two through five keeps a daily planner up to date. Every day, students write down their assignments, and parents are asked to sign the page when those assignments are complete.
Teachers also can write notes about progress, behavior and any other issues.
Parents, such as Jill Ramsey, whose daughter is a fourth-grader at Independence, said the planner helps them stay involved in school and head off problems. That often leads to better grades and test scores. Find students who need help early and give them extra attention. Older students get an extra 20 minutes per day of drilling in reading and math with specialized computer programs. Independence teachers attend several workshops per year to improve their skills.