Academics & Enrichment Archive

From field trips to science programs to music and plays, we know parent groups support all sorts of activities to make learning more exciting for kids. You'll find tons of enrichment ideas in the articles below. Find more helpful tools and info on the Academics & Enrichment resources page. (For articles about planning great teacher appreciation programs, go to the

• Teaching Kids About Character

  When respect, kindness, generosity, and other positive traits are covered at school, students gain strong values.

• Major Project: Community Garden Builds School Support

  A Phoenix group was recognized as the PTO Today 2007 Parent Group of the Year for Outstanding Job on a Completed Major Project for its garden that is part teaching tool, part service project, and part community-building exercise.

• National Runner-up: Eagle Project Really Soared

  A combined literacy and community service project to save the bald eagle really took off for PTO Today's 2007 Parent Group of the Year national runner-up.

• 36 Ideas for Arts and Science Enrichment

  School performers, assemblies, and cultural events can excite students and bring new perspectives. Get started with our list of memorable activities.

• A Play's the Thing

  One parent group has turned its annual musical performance into a major fundraiser—and a major way to build community involvement.

• Involvement Ranks Last in School Reform

  Parent involvement may be a focus of the No Child Left Behind Act’s school improvement prescriptions, but it’s the least likely to be implemented, according to a 2007 report issued by the Rand Corp.

• Field Trips: Getting Organized

  School-led educational outings are primarily the domain of teachers, but parent groups can still play a role in making them fun and successful.

• PTO Publishes Student Writers

  A literacy program gets kids writing essays and poetry, with some parent involvement along the way.

• Help Build Student Achievement

  An expert challenges PTOs to increase parent involvement in ways that are connected to the curriculum.

• School Auction Gold: Student Art Projects

  Projects created by elementary school students brought in more than $8,000 for a New York City parent group.

• Million Minute Reading Challenge

  One PTA's innovative program to get kids excited about books and boost reading scores.

• How PTOs Foster Science Skills

  A look at the many ways parent groups can help schools focus on achievement in science.

• A Playground That Teaches Science

  Kids love the unique playground, and teachers have created a 47-page curriculum to go with it.

• Knitting Club's a Ball

  Kids eagerly choose "indoor recess" to learn a new craft.

• How PTOs Foster Math Skills

  Creative approaches to help schools focus on achievement in math and to improve math literacy.

• How PTOs Foster Reading Skills

  Parent groups can play an effective role in helping schools improve reading and writing achievement.

• NCLB: What It Means for PTOs

  The No Child Left Behind Act has schools asking PTOs and PTAs to emphasize literacy and other key topics in their activities.

• Learning About Ellis Island

  This simulation of the Ellis Island immigration experience taught kids and engaged parents in a dynamic way.

• A Literacy Event for Halloween

  Pumpkins and poems make an eerily successful combination for a Halloween celebration.

• Organizing an Author Visit

  Don't be overwhelmed by the thought of choosing an author and planning an event. A few simple guidelines will help you do it successfully.