Parents curious about what their students are learning don’t have to wonder at Vaughn Elementary School, where kids are the teachers in a monthly series.
Principal Susie Graham said that Learning With the Littles was launched a few years ago after parents said in campus surveys that they wanted to know more about classroom learning. Assistant principal Michelle Kim reached out to Michaela Stovall, FISD’s coordinator of parent and family engagement, who suggested inviting parents to the campus to see students’ work for themselves.
The monthly series rotates between grade levels, putting kids in the driver’s seat for a lesson where parents become the students.
At past events, fourth graders tested their parents on social studies facts, and if the adults got them right, they received letters and numbers that opened a breakout box. Third graders competed against parents in a test, using their answers to map a path for their Indie Car. Right answers got the Indie Car to the end; wrong ones didn’t.
On a drizzly Thursday morning in December, it was first grade’s turn — and it was a real zoo.
As part of a recent nonfiction assignment, students researched and wrote about an animal of their choice. As a fun bonus, just for the event, they also dressed up as their subject.
The cafeteria was filled with dozens of mammals, birds, reptiles and bugs sitting with family members. Visitors were awed by all the fins, wings, tails — and tried to steer clear of the jellyfish tentacles.
Those belonged to first grader Bash, who shared his jellyfish story with his parents and little sister. Under a clear umbrella decorated with glowing green lights and trailing crepe paper, Bash described all he’d learned (“They eat small fish!”) and why he picked jellyfish (“They’re my favorite ocean animal!”).
Nearby, a 6-year-old butterfly in a Tinkerbell costume and antenna read to her mom, grandmother and little sister. Jordan proudly said her favorite part was writing the “About the Author” page, about herself.
“I feel like this school is so amazing, giving us a chance to engage with our kids this way,” said mom Latisha. “I wish I went to a school like this!”
At another table sat a tiger, next to a bunny, near a penguin with her little sister in her lap. Across the room was a hippo, a bearded dragon and a flamingo. Oh, and don’t get too close to the shark — he has some impressive teeth (and knows what they’re used for, thanks to his research).
“The students really take ownership and get excited to share their work,” first grade teacher Amanda Carney said. “Events like this are a great way to involve parents and inform them about the work their kids are doing in the classroom.”
Stovall praised the school’s initiative and explained that parent engagement starts with a dedicated, well-trained staff.
“For family engagement to really click, both educators and parents need the tools to work together,” she said. “At Vaughn, I supported that by training staff on research-based strategies and culturally responsive practices. Our parent learning series then opens the classroom door, helping families understand what students are working on and how to support them at home. When schools and parents team up like this, that’s when the magic happens for student success.”
After presenting their projects, students took photos with their parents and returned to class. And when their parents went home, they left with more than just animal facts — they left with a clearer understanding of just what their little learners can do.
- Rachel McReynolds