This document discusses the benefits of home-school partnerships for writing instruction and provides examples of activities parents can do at home to support their child's writing development. It recommends that parents get involved by having their child engage in list writing, note taking, journaling, dialogue journals, writing for birthdays and special events, writing parodies and letters. Regular writing practice at home in an informal way helps support the writing instruction children receive in school.

1. Home-School Partnerships Getting parents involved with Writing instruction… In order for families to be active participants in school life, they must feel welcomed, valued, and connected to each other, to school staff and to what their child(ren) are doing in school (Padak & Rasinski, 2010).

3. Reading and writing are in tandem with one another. A student becomes a better reader by writing and vise versa (Rasinski & Padak, 2009).

12. Letters and E-mails Written communication had been an important way for families to communicate throughout history. Children can write or e-mail family members such as grandparents, cousins or other family members who may not live in the same household.

14. References: Padak, N., & Rasinski, T.V. (2010). Welcoming schools: Small changes that can make a big difference. The Reading Teacher, 64(4), 294–297. doi:10.1598/RT.64.4.12 Rasinski, T. & Padak, N. (2009). Write soon! The Reading Teacher, 62, 618-620. Padak, N., & Rasinski, T.V. (2006). Home–school partnerships in literacy education: From rhetoric to reality. The Reading Teacher, 60(3), 292–296. doi:10.1598/RT.60.3.11 Parent Teacher Association. (2009). PTA national standards for family–school partnerships: An implementation guide. Chicago: Author. Retrieved November 6, 2011, from www.pta.org/2757.asp Winstanley, P. (2011). Little Miss. Retrieved November 7, 2011 from www.funny-poems.co.uk/kids/animal-poetry/a02-little.asp.