Improving schoolwide literacy levels means fostering a culture of learning in school and beyond. Family is essential to supporting student reading habits, said Judy Atwater, principal of a Georgia elementary school. One way to get parents involved in what their kids are reading is to create a “Go Home” journal that students take home once a week. Have children write about the week's reading activities, she suggested, and have parents write a short reply on the adjacent page. These comments will enhance classroom discussion and help change the perception that reading is something confined to the classroom.
