Years ago when I was a Title I teacher, I wanted to set the expectation for reading at home as a family.  I sponsored what turned out to be the best parent involvement night ever.  Here's what to do.

Invite parents to school and teach them the basics of Free Response (see page 5 of The Write Tools Binder) emphasizing that there is no right or wrong answer.  Give each adult four sticky notes.  Then read them Knots on a Counting Rope, by Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault, stopping four times to allow parents to write their responses.  With a handful of Starbucks cards to motivate people, ask for a few volunteers to share their responses.   

Next, pass out lengths of thick twine or yarn, and explain that this will be their family counting rope.  For every 20 minutes they read with their child, a knot should be tied.  Tell parents they don't have to have their children write responses at home.  Instead, they should pause several times when reading aloud with their child to allow them to share what they are thinking.  

Challenge families to read five times per week for the next six weeks. Announce a date to bring back their counting ropes to school.  The "ticket in the door" at the ice cream social will be their counting rope which will be proudly displayed in a special place in your school.   

We'll reward the first five respondents from different schools, who send in a photo of their counting ropes, with a Starbucks card as well!  Please e-mail photos to training@thewritetools.net.