What We Do

What is Project CRISS for Parents? 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 to be learned and sets purposes for listening. The trainer then reads the selection out loud. 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 flipbook cost? The cost of the CRISS for Parents booklet (2nd edition, in English and Spanish) is $8.00 each for orders of 50 or fewer, $6.00 each for orders of 51 or more. Click here for an order form for both versions. For information about the CRISS for Parents workshop and its cost, please the CRISS National Office, 1-877-502-7477 (toll free).

What does the booklet look like? To view selected parts of the booklet-The Table of Contents, information on Background Knowledge (one the Keys to Learning), and an explanation of the strategy Power Thinking-Click here.