Building Parent Involvement Through the Arts: Activities and Projects That Enrich Classrooms and Schools

"Professionals who want to build authentic parent and community involvement in their schools will find a champion in this book."
―Wendy Caszatt-Allen, Teacher, Mid-Prairie Middle School, Kalona, IA

"An invaluable resource full of fun and relevant plans that are most assuredly teacher-, student-, and parent-friendly. The best I have read!"
―Ilona Anderson, Principal, Flagstaff Middle School, AZ


"Schools that utilize techniques from this book will benefit not only from an increase in student engagement and achievement. Beautifully written."
―Marscha Greenfeld, Senior Program Facilitator, National Network of Partnership Schools

Create a rich cultural arts program that inspires parent involvement!

Research has shown that parents play an enormous role in their children′s school success. However, principals and teachers struggle to find ways to get parents more involved. Educator and consultant Michael Sikes shows principals and teachers how to create an arts-rich school that enthusiastically welcomes families and community members, promotes diversity and multicultural appreciation, develops cognitive skills, and engages parents through a myriad of creative activities.

This exciting resource explores all types of creative art programs, including dance, theater, folk art, literature, visual arts, and music. An extensive toolkit, this book not only explores why but how to design and implement an arts program that brings families back to the classroom.

Ready-to-use features and strategies are packed into this practical guide:

• Sample lesson plans and worksheets, including materials lists, step-by-step instructions, and roles for parents and families
• Dozens of project and activity ideas tied to national standards
• Project assessments and evaluations
• "How-to′s" for finding community resources and funding
• Templates, forms, checklists, surveys, and much more

School administrators and teachers can use this essential guide for welcoming families into their schools and creating a friendly place where student work is celebrated and parent contributions are embraced and valued.

Michael E. Sikes is an author and independent consultant. He has previously been an evaluator at the Center for Creative Leadership, Senior Associate at the Council of Chief State School Officers, and adjunct faculty member at Antioch University Santa Barbara. He has planned and evaluated numerous programs, both in K-12 and nonformal contexts. He is co-author of The Appreciative Inquiry: A Guide to International Cultural Exchange and Focusing the Light: The Art and Practice of Planning. Sikes received his doctorate degree in education from Florida State University.