Franklinton Primary School Practical Parenting Presents Homework Help: Strategies, Time Management and Organization Skills Presented by: Melissa Seal School Counselor: Franklinton Primary School

DO ANY OF THESE SOUND FAMILIAR? Nightly battles over when homework will be done “Forgetting” to bring his/her homework assignments home Your child rushes through homework assignments Your child takes forever to finish his/her assignments Your child insists he/she is able to do homework while watching TV, talking on the phone, etc The first time you hear about a project is the night before it is due…and it isn’t finished

GOAL: To help make homework time with your child less challenging and more productive by sharing strategies for promoting academic success by: 1. making it a positive experience 2. motivating your child 3. teaching organization skills and time management

Learning is how we acquire new information Learning is how we acquire new information. Memory is the process that results in storage of learned information. Learning and memory are fundamentally related: . new information new information new information short-term memory usually lost short term memory rapid retrieval usually lost short term memory rapid retrieval usually lost practice rapid retrieval Practice forgetting remembering Practice forgetting remembering forgetting remembering slower retrieval slower retrieval slower retrieval long-term memory long term memory After R. Lynch, 2004. <http://www.colorado.edu/epob/epob3730rlynch/image/figure17-4.jpg>

Many researchers believe that short-term memory lasts for less than 30 seconds, just long enough to perform a simple task, like dialing a phone number you just looked up in the phone book. new information short-term memory usually lost practice rapid retrieval forgetting remembering slower retrieval long-term memory

Here’s a test of your short-term memory. Read the following sequence silently, pausing at each dash: MT-VVC-RC-IAU-SAB-MW Look away from the page and write down any letters from this sequence that you can remember.

Now, read the following sequence silently, again pausing at each dash: MTV-VCR-CIA-USA-BMW Look away from the page and write down any letters from this sequence that you can remember.

Take another look at the two sequences: MT-VVC-RC-IAU-SAB-MW Notice anything? The letters are the same in each sequence. Yet, you most likely found it a lot easier to remember the second sequence. Why?

long-term memory that really matters when it comes to learning. Most people can hold about 7 meaningful pieces of information in their short-term memory. Meaningful pieces of information could be numbers, words, faces, objects, or any other “chunks” of information. While short-term memory is important, it is long-term memory that really matters when it comes to learning. How does short-term memory become long-term memory? Source: http://www.stanford.edu/dept/news/stanfordtoday/ed/9811/9811iti01.shtml

Practice (also called rehearsal) of information is required to convert short-term memory into long-term memory. Without practice, short-term memory is forgotten. new information short-term memory usually lost rapid retrieval practice forgetting remembering slower retrieval long-term memory

That sounds a lot like Homework Practice? That sounds a lot like Homework And Studying

WHY IS HOMEWORK IMPORTANT? Homework affects achievement at school. Homework teaches your child responsibility. Link between home and school.

MAKE STUDY TIME A POSITIVE EXPERIENCE Be interested: Make time to talk about school and learning in family conversations. Attend school activities, get to know their teacher & friends. This shows your child that his home and school are a team! Praise your child’s efforts. Hug or Pat on the shoulder will increase impact. Give praise (do not add “but, and, or”). Children often remember the last part of the sentence and not the beginning. Help build their self-esteem. Display good work ****Never use study time as a punishment!****

MAKE HOMEWORK TIME A POSITIVE EXPERIENCE….HOW? Homework time=Study time Set up a proper STUDY AREA: Let them have a sense of control. LOCATION? Choose a well-lit location together. DO NOT DISTRUB sign HOMEWORK KIT

Homework Survival Kit *Pencils *Sharpener *Crayons *Paper *Scissors *Glue *Note cards *Hole punch *Pens *Ruler *Eraser *Timer *Tape *Stapler

POSITIVE EXPERIENCE & STUDY SKILLS: Reading Read to your child Listen to your child read Library Build a library of their own Kid magazines Encourage your kids to write stories of their own Turn off the TV and read together Discuss questions, connections, using mental images while reading

HOMEWORK TIME: Grades K-3 Check your child’s backpack/homework folder each day Check for necessary materials in kit Announce when study time begins Read directions together and help child get started by doing first problem together Be available for help Praise and encourage

Grades 4-5 Check to see if child is doing HW during study time Encouragement: Emphasize your confidence in child’s ability to do the work on their own. Be available and give assistance only after he/she makes and effort on their own. Look over completed assignments.

MOTIVATION IDEAS: Beat the Clock: “If you get your work completed with mostly correct answers before the timer goes off, then you get…. Spinner “Each time you complete your work, you earn a spin.” Chunking: Complete small amounts at a time with breaks in between.

MORE IDEAS: Token system (use more frequently at the beginning.) Celebrate accomplishments: Encourage your child to have fun such as eating a snack, calling a friend, starting an activity or watching a favorite TV show when finished.

SELF-BARGANING & HOMEWORK INCENTIVES

TIME MANAGEMENT “If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.” Study time must be scheduled into your child’s day. Determine the best time to study. Select a time when you or another adult will be available. Try to schedule the same time for all children.

ORGANIZATION SKILLS/ TIME MANAGEMENT Help child check backpack and homework folder and encourage child to get ready for the next day. Keep notebooks organized. (Missing papers don’t earn A’s) Conduct a weekly clean-up. Lose the clutter. Set a good example. Keep a calendar/create to do list

ORGANIZATION/ TIME MANAGMENT… Set goals and break big tasks into smaller tasks=success= confidence. Set deadlines and avoid last minute cramming.

WHAT TO DO WHEN YOUR CHILD IS NOT DOING THEIR HOMEWORK: COMMUNICATE CLEARLY & EFFECTIVELY Make study time a priority. Tell your child the choice is theirs. He/she can complete their homework appropriately or have privileges suspended until homework is finished. *Don’t make meaningless threats* Don’t argue, use the broken record. Calm, firm, and sit down one-on-one Keep repeating what it is you want-”I understand but I want you to do your homework right now.” Avoid being sidetracked Use the Broken record a max of 3 times and then follow through and “back your words with action.”

YOUR PARTNER AT SCHOOL- THE TEACHER Do not hesitate to contact the teacher when your child is having homework problems. “Team” If your child CANNOT DO the homework assignment… Do not step in and do the work for your child. Send a note and possibly include observations of what happens when your child tries to do the work. If the problem continues, try to set up a conference. If your child does NOT BRING HOME assigned work… Ask the teacher if she/he can sign and date his/her assignments sheet or agenda, or email you assignments.

Summary 1. Location: Having a set location in the house devoted to HW is a key tip. 2. Time: Figuring our the best time to complete HW assignments. 3. Time Management skills: Teach children the proper time management skills, PRIORITIZE 4. Understanding: Having a clear understanding of what the assignment entails is extremely helpful. 5. Praise/Reward: Giving children something to look forward to can be a great motivational tool.

IMPORTANT NOTES: Consistency is the key to success! Change is gradual and learning a new habit takes around 21 days. Thank you for your attention & participation this evening! Email: mseal.fps@wpsb.org