The National Network of Partnership Schools (NNPS) has over 600 Interactive Homework activities for the elementary and middle grades. The activities are called “Teachers Involve Parents in Schoolwork (TIPS).” TIPS activities in reading, math, and science may especially help districts and schools that serve students who do not have reliable computers or Internet access at home. NNPS offers free examples for schools, and members of their network can purchase the full set of activities using their order form.
What are TIPS activities? TIPS activities ask students to talk with a parent or family partner about something interesting that they are learning. Parents/caregivers are not asked to “teach” school subjects. They may talk with their child, discuss how a school skill is used in the real-world, and add a question or comment for the teacher in the section called Home-to-School Communication.