I never know how much involvement parents are supposed to have in a school project. -- Curious
Answer: This question about parental involvement will be a concern for as long as teachers assign projects. Fortunately, some teachers actively discuss this topic at parent/teacher nights and school conferences. If you are truly uncertain about what is appropriate help on a project, call or e-mail your child's teacher.
In the early grades, it is very wise to help children decide exactly what needs to be done on a project. Then help them develop a timeline to avoid a last-minute rush to complete it. Part of this involves making a list of the supplies that they need and helping them get those supplies. The more you teach your children about the organization of projects, the sooner they will be able to handle them without any input from you. Parents always have the role of providing encouragement and showing interest along the way with any project no matter how old their children are.
Parents truly need to keep in mind that the teachers work with your children every day and have a fairly good idea of what they can and can't do. Let your children do the work. It helps them build confidence in their abilities.