1. Parent Assisted Learning (PAL) Packets™
An Introduction for Teachers
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2. Introduction to PAL Packets
What is a PAL Packet?
What is its purpose?
Components of PAL Packets
Getting parents involved and excited about them
How and when to use PAL Packets

3. What is a PAL Packet?
Short activity aligned to an important skill or standard in Language Arts or Math
Activity that students complete with their parents or guardians
Activity that enriches and expands on classroom experiences

4. Why PAL Packets?
Expose the student to education outside of the classroom
Involve parents in their students’ education
Create a positive learning environment in the student’s home

5. Why is parental involvement in education important?
[Students] are more likely to earn higher grades and test scores, graduate from high school, and go on to higher education. Low-income and minority students benefit the most.
- National Coalition for Parental Involvement in Education

6. What are the Components of a PAL Packet?

7. Front Page Contains the easily recognized logo so you know what it is
States the grade and subject for the PAL Packet
Mathematics
Grade 3
States the objective of the activity
Read Bar Graphs

8. Parent Letter States the objective in the first paragraph
Dear Parent or Guardian:
Your child is currently learning to read bar graphs. Here is your chance to help your child practice this important skill.
Asks the parent to do the activities with the child and to have the paper returned to you
In this PAL Packet you will find a short activity for you and your child to do. Please do the activity and The Back Page this evening. Then sign your name on The Back Page and have your child return it tomorrow.
Remember, parents are a child’s first teacher. Thank you for your time and energy in making learning fun and exciting for your child.
Sincerely,
_________________________
Your child’s teacher

9. Explanation
Parent Assisted Learning
budget their income.
Parent Pointer –Explains more about the objective such as why it is important, where it is used in real-life, etc.
Bar graphs are used in many occupations. Businesses use bar
graphs to make projections and to record profits and losses.
USING BAR GRAPHS
Parent Pointer —
Educational institutions use bar graphs to record student
enrollment, a
nd families sometimes use bar graphs to help
Directions – Explains in detail what to do
Math In the Home, On the Go, and For the
Fun of It —
DIRECTIONS
: Read the information on the
Learning to Read
Bar Graphs
reference sheet with your parent or guardian.
After looking at the
graphs, review the data found in the
boxes at the bottom of the page. Be sure you understand how
this data was obtained from the graphs. Then, you and your
parent or guardian will read the data and answer questions on
the
Bar Graph Reading
activity page s.
Talk About It –Complete “The Back Page” after the activity
Talk About It —
After you have finished the activity, turn to The Back Page to
show what you know.

10. Activity
Typically contains a graphic organizer explaining some basic ideas and showing some examples of the objective.

11. Activity
Has some type of worksheet or game for the parent and student to complete together
Directly related to the objective of the PAL packet
Designed to improve the student’s skills and give them extra practice

12. The Back Page
The Back Page
graph?
How do you read the information on each type of bar
Parent —
Ask your child the following questions: ü
What are two types of bar graphs?
Talk About It
Parent section – Has questions for parents to discuss with their student
magazine. Have your parent or guardian ask you three
questions about the information on the graph. Attach
Student —
Answer the above questions in complete sentences on the
reverse side of this pa
ge. OR
Do the following activity on the reverse side of this page: ü
Find and cut out a bar graph from a newspaper or
the graph to this sheet and w
rite the questions you
were asked and your answers.
Student section – Answer the questions or do an activity to turn in
__________________________ __________________________
Student’s Name
Parent or Guardian’s Signature
Parent and student sign the bottom and return to you

13. Preparing and Involving Parents
During parent conferences, introduce PAL Packets and give them an example
Hold an informational night to show the Parent PowerPoint presentation
Send home an informational letter explaining what a PAL Packet is and what you expect from the parents

14. Preparing and Involving Parents (continued)
Encourage parents to communicate with you and take responsibility for their child’s education
Discuss with parents the importance of good study habits
Teach parents how to create positive learning environments in their homes

15. How do you use PAL Packets?
Find one that complements what is being taught in the classroom
Send the PAL packet home with the students to complete with their parents or guardians
Make sure that the students know when it is due
Review the completed packet to make sure it was done correctly

16. When do you use PAL Packets?
When a student needs extra practice with the skill addressed by the PAL Packet, or,
As often as possible – it is always good to include the parents in a child’s education
Use them heavily in the weeks before state tests
Stick to a consistent schedule – for example, assign a PAL Packet every other Friday and they are always due the following Wednesday

17. Enjoy using your PAL Packets! 
Research overwhelmingly demonstrates that parent involvement in children's learning is positively related to achievement.
- School Improvement Research Series Kathleen Cotton and Karen Reed Wikelund
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