Parent volunteers lending an extra set of hands can be a big help in the classroom! A little organization before school begins can be helpful. Parent volunteers can make your life easier and help provide review and support for the students.
Begin by assessing where you can use volunteers in the classroom and when you can use them. Once that has been decided send out your forms to begin discovering who is interested in being a consistent helper. Above I have provided forms for you to use. I do not use volunteers on Friday because that is often a day we celebrate accomplishments and assess. Another thing to keep in mind is when you have special areas. I prefer not to have volunteers in at that time as it is a special time for me to accomplish what I need.
A couple other important things to remember. If you will be teaching when they arrive make sure there is a “to do” list waiting for them with all the supplies they will need. Have a special spot that is consistent where the volunteers will work and make sure there are tissues and hand sanitizer available.
For the parents who will be doing copying, cutting or laminating make sure their materials and “to do” list is always found in a consistent spot so that they can find things easily.
Parents can help with:
Spelling Lists (practice with magnetic letters, dry erase board, sand or other creative ideas)
Reading (have books in baggie for students to read)
Math (fact/strategies, games with dice)
Special Projects (each year we do apple painting, sock snowmen and other projects where parents are a big help)
Class Parties
Technology (practice signing on and off using password or support if you have a day you go to the lab)
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