Volunteers can be an invaluable resource for teachers who are willing to take the time and energy necessary to train them. Guidelines for using volunteers as research aides, sources of special talent or experiences, links to the community, managers of classroom centers, and tutors are offered. (PP)

Ten strategies for fundraising include setting start/stop dates, dividing the workload, stating a purpose for the funds, establishing financial goals, choosing quality products to sell, remembering the sellers' ages, learning about the fund-raising companies, motivating the volunteers, considering a business sponsorship, and conducting a…

Describes how parents can help teachers assess student writing. Initially, parents need training workshops and hands-on experience before evaluating student writing. The article presents tips for annual assessment, describes how one Pennsylvania school district scores students' writing, and suggests further uses for parent volunteers. (SM)

Taking students to the grocery store can build math skills, encourage cooperation, and benefit local charities. One activity has students collect coupons, earn money, divide into groups (with specifically assigned roles), shop for items for local charities, with the aid of parent volunteers, then deliver the groceries to the charities. (SM)

Faced with a student who is unable to read, a teacher refuses to give up on her and encourages her to participate in an after-school, volunteer tutorial program. By year's end, the student has improved 34 months on standardized testing and is placed at her appropriate grade level. (JL)

Service learning can help students learn specific skills and concepts, particularly in social studies. The article examines characteristics of good middle school service learning projects, explains how to begin a project, discusses the benefits of service learning, presents an example of service learning in Wren Middle School, Piedmont (South…

Discusses methods and procedures for the teacher to use in order to gain full benefits from the presence of a teacher aide in early childhood classrooms.

Presents suggestions for getting parents involved in schools, noting reasons why parents stay away. Suggestions include recruiting parent liaisons, collaborating with parents on problems, sharing a meal, sponsoring a parent-student project night, making a special effort to say thanks, and getting other teachers and administrators involved. (SM)

This article describes the successful effort to reduce illiteracy in Cuba by sending young student teachers into the rural areas to teach reading to workers in isolated spots throughout the country. (JD)