Take Home Book Bags

It has been proven that reading to children daily is one of the most effective ways we can help children become successful readers.  What better way to get our families reading to their children daily then by providing them with fun and engaging books.  The take home book bag program does just that for our families.   Some of the families might have limited access to books, so by providing them with this resource it will help them to be involved in their child's education . 

I like to have 15 to 20 book bags available for families weekly.  The book bag resource shelf is hanging right next to where families sign their children in/out daily.  The book bags are rotated with seasonal and theme related books about every two weeks.

Each bag contains book, note book, crayons and storytelling props.  This gives the family a variety of books to choose from.

A check out list sits right next to the book bags.  Parents write down which book bag they have taken and the date.  When they return them they write down the date they returned the bag.  It is an honor system.

Download Free Check Out Form

Parent Helper Totes

This year I have started a parent helper tote system.

 These totes are placed right under the sign in and out area.  Parents can pick a tote that contains different tasks that parents can do at home to help with their child's classroom.  This is very helpful to me since all of my parents are working parents.  (They have to be working in order to eligible for the program)

 One of the most busiest tote box is the Pencil Sharpen   box.  This box makes it home to one helpful parent every night.  In the box is an electric pencil sharpener and pencils that need to be sharpened from the writing center, small group baskets and other areas that we always have pencils for the children to use.

Another helpful parent tote is our monthly Book Order.  This tote goes home once a month to the same parent.  At the beginning of the year I had my families fill out a parent volunteer questioner, this gave me information on which parents were willing to take on different classroom jobs for me. 

 Here is a list of the tote boxes that we currently have up and running in our classroom.

Pencil Sharpen Helper

Check Marker Helper

Booklet Maker Helper

Book Order Helper

Glue Bottle Washer

Public Library Helper

To download Tote Box Labels for free go to...

Google Docs

Teachers Pay Teachers

Teachers Notebook

 You can find more classroom management ideas and forms in my Classroom Management Theme Packet on

Teachers Pay Teachers

Teachers Notebook

Communication Folders

Down Load Folder Making Kit

Communication folders are an important part of my parent communication and involvement.  These folders help to ensure that any notes and homework sent home are seen by parents.  They keep my parents well informed about what is happening in the day to day classroom as well as what is up and coming.  Parents are also able to send me notes so that I am aware of what is happening at home or of any needs or concerns that the parents might have.

Frequently Asked Questions:

How do you send out the folders?

I place a  bucket of folders by the Sign In/Out area.  Each child has a folder in the bucket, parents and children look through the bucket until they find their folder.  At the end of the week the parents or child place their folder back in the bucket.

What do you put in the folders for Homework that is age appropriate?

I have a mixed age group of children, each folder has the same information and homework in it.  I have a connect four activity sheet that is designed for all ages of children.  It has activities that will build on children's fine motor skills to activities that build  vocabulary, math and language skills.  All activities are fun and hands on learning experiences.  I also include activity sheets that will build on their school readiness skills in fun way.

Click to view Sample

What do your folders look like?

I use the two pocket paper folders.  On the outside of the folder is a cover page with child's name.

On the inside of the folder I tape numbers and color shapes

On the back cover I tape a picture ABC chart.  This information helps with the activities provided each week.

You can get monthly communication folder packets for $2.00 from Teachers Pay Teachers or Teachers Notebook. 

Teachers Pay Teachers

Teachers Notebook

Teachers Pay Teachers

Teachers Notebook

Teachers Pay Teachers

Teachers Notebook

Coming Soon November and December Communication Folders

Welcome Parents Letter

My school year has not ended yet or will never end I should say, but I am already looking to the new school year thanks to Sally at  Fairy Dust Teaching and her amazing workshop DYNAMIC FAMILY INVOLVEMENT!  If you want to get energized and excited about the up coming school year then head on over to her blog and sign up for her up coming class Classroom Management Boot Camp!   

During the Dynamic Family Involvement I have realized that I need to revamp my system so that my families can be more involved with their child’s first learning experience.  So over the next several weeks I will be sharing some of the parent forms and letters that will help meet these needs.  Here is the welcome letter for the beginning of the year orientation packet.

Thanks again Sally for all of your insight and information that you are sharing!     

Free Download

First Impressions

When our parents and children walk into our classrooms and centers they need to be inviting for the children but also the parents.

Create an area that as parents come in they can gather information about parenting or community events.  This area should also include an adult chair, books and toys that the parents can use with their children while waiting to see someone in the office or for having that one on one time with their child before entering the classroom.

Parent and children need their area too.

Keeping Germs at Bay

The spread of germs in a preschool classroom is something that we all deal with on a daily bases. This year we have set up a system in each classroom for the staff and children to use. When we see a child put something in their mouth or if a child has a runny nose and that child is done using an item (toy) we put that toy in a container marked dirty toys. The children also help with this process by knowing if they have a runny nose and that when they are done with something they will automatically place that toy they are finished with in the dirty toy container. Child will then wash their hands after placing toy in container and after blowing their nose.

Staff through out the day will take the toys in dirty tube and disinfect them before placing them back to where they belong.

Here is what we have done to help with the spread of germs in the classroom

• Do daily health checks before children can be dropped off

• Sanitize toys weekly

• If we have a out break of illnesses we then do it daily (sanitize toys)

• Utilize the dirty toy container

• Have children wash hands often (upon arrival, after bathroom, after blowing nose, before eating, after using water table, after using play dough, after coming in form outside) by us having them wash their hand frequently colds are down this year.

• Disinfect soap dispensers and paper towel holders daily

Building the Bridge Between School and Home

Parent involvement is key to school success. Building the bridge between school and home is a vital part to creating a classroom with the child’s success in mind.

There are many ways to help build this bridge; one of the most successful ways that I have found is to place a dry eraser board where the parents sign in and out. We all know that it is hard to be able to talk to every parent and remind them of daily things everyday. I find that it is helpful to give them those reminders right where they sign daily. Example “Don’t forget your mittens for our Three Little Kittens tomorrow.”

Here are some other ways to make sure that you are building that bridge:

• Send out a weekly newsletter by email or by paper

• Have a parent bulletin board in your classroom (where parents can see what is happening in the classroom and community)

• Send home important fliers or letters. (Pajama Day)

• Create take home backpacks of home projects that the parents can check out

• Have sit down parent conferences

• Have student/parent family nights

Don’t forget to enter the Giveaway Giveaway