What We Do

What is Project CRISS for Parents? Project CRISS for Parents is a workshop for parents and their students. During the workshop, parents are introduced to the CRISS principles and some of the learning strategies. With the workshop, parents receive a flipbook that provides a quick reference to many of the CRISS strategies. The flipbook may be purchased without attending a workshop.

How does CRISS for Parents work? We designed CRISS for Parents to be facilitated by a CRISS certified trainer. If a district does not have any onsite trainers, a CRISS National Trainer may be used. We suggest schools set up a two to three-hour block of time—evenings or weekends work well—to host the workshop. During this time the trainer will first meet with all parents and students to give an overview of the CRISS Principles and Philosophy and to set the stage for the workshop activities. Before the families divide up and move to learning stations, the trainer brings out their background knowledge about the topic and sets purposes for listening to a written selection. The trainer then reads an article about crows or spiders. Depending on the allotted time, the audience divides into smaller groups and moves through a series of learning stations (usually five or six). At these stations, they learn Power Thinking, Conclusion-Support Notes, Spool Papers, Two-Column Notes, Concept Mapping, and Vocabulary Mapping.

What is the goal of CRISS for Parents? It is our hope that, after the training and through the use of the CRISS for Parents booklet, parents will be familiar enough with the CRISS principles and strategies they will be able to provide support and help to their children.

What does the program cost? The cost of the CRISS for Parents booklet is $4.00 each for orders of 50 or less, $3.00 each for orders of 51-200, and $2.00 each for orders over 200. (Note: the booklets are available in Spanish as well as English) Click here for an order form.

If a district does not have a trainer on staff, the cost of a trainer will have to be considered (consultant fee and expenses). In addition, the workshop works best when parents are fed! So always include the cost of snacks.

Selections from CRISS for Parents
Click here to see:
Table of Contents
CRISS for Parents Background Knowledge<
CRISS for Parents Power Notes