H OMEWORK O RGANIZATION & M OTIVATIONAL T IPS Sponsored by H.O.P.E. Walnut Elementary November 2011

D O ANY OF THESE SOUND FAMILIAR ? Nightly battles over when homework will be done Your child rushes through homework assignments with sloppy, incomplete work “Forgetting” to bring his/her homework assignments home You do more of the homework than your child does Your child takes forever to finish his/her homework 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 major project is the night before it’s due…and it isn’t finished.

W HY IS HOMEWORK IMPORTANT ? Homework affects achievement at school Students who consistently do homework perform better academically than those who do not do homework. Homework teaches your children responsibility Students learn to follow directions, work on their own, and begin and complete a task. Link between home and school Successful students have home support systems whose attitudes show they care about school. Supportive families are the key to successful students

S TEPS TO H OMEWORK S UCCESS ! Set up a proper STUDY AREA Get homework finished ON TIME Have children do homework ON THEIR OWN MOTIVATE our children with PRAISE MOTIVATE your children to do their BEST WORK COMMUNICATE CLEARLY & CONSISTENTLY with your children BACK UP YOUR WORDS with actions WORK with your children’s TEACHERS Provide STUDY SKILLS

S ETTING UP A STUDY AREA LOCATION Choose a location together. Talk about which places in your home might be better than others for doing homework. WELL-LIT Poor lighting increases eye fatigue DO NOT DISTURB sign Takes children 2-3 minutes to regain concentration after being distracted. HOMEWORK KIT Materials needed for homework to avoid distraction in having to search for supplies.

C OMPLETING HOMEWORK ON TIME Homework must be scheduled into your child’s day. WRITE the schedule down on the Daily Schedule Fill in the Daily Schedule with your child Determine the BEST TIME each day for Daily Homework Time Choose the Daily Homework Time for your child Select a time when you or another adult will be available to assist your child. If necessary, establish a MANDATORY homework time Try to schedule the same Daily Homework Time for all younger children Helps “Speeders” and “Forgetters” i.e. One hour set aside for homework each night.

IF YOU CAN’T BE HOME… Grades K-3: The person who takes care of your child should understand what Daily Homework Time means and be available to give help when needed. If he/she is unable to do this, it is best to schedule a Daily Homework Time when you can be home. Grades 4-5 : Make sure your child knows each day when Daily Homework Time begins. Call home at the start of Daily Homework Time to check that your child is working. Have your child leave their homework out for you to review when you get home.

C OMPLETING HOMEWORK ON THEIR OWN Grades K-3: Check your child’s backpack each day Announce when Daily Homework Time begins Check for necessary materials Read directions together Get your child started by working on the first problem/question together Be available for questions and help PRAISE your child’s efforts Grades 4-5: Check to see your child is doing homework during Daily Homework Time Suggest your child calls a friend if he/she needs help. Give assistance ONLY after he/she makes an effort on his own. Utilize Study Skills PRAISE your child’s efforts

C OMPLETING HOMEWORK ON THEIR OWN Each day, your child should list all the homework that must be completed during Daily Homework Time. Check off each assignment as it is completed. Start with their least favorite assignment to make sure their minds are fresh. ALL children are DIFFERENT!

C OMPLETING HOMEWORK ON THEIR OWN ENCOURAGEMENT Emphasize your CONFIDENCE in your child’s ability to do the work with just a little help from you. BREAK DOWN overwhelming assignments into simple steps. ENCOURAGE/PRAISE each time your child succeeds at any step. Once your child begins gaining confidence, have him/her complete a SMALL PART of the assignment ON HIS/HER OWN.

MOTIVATE YOUR CHILD TO DO HIS / HER BEST WORK CONSISTENTLY PRAISE your child’s efforts Be consistent, each day Use SPECIFIC words about what you LIKE about what they are doing Let your child know how proud you are of how hard he/she is working and/or about a specific accomplishment. HUG or PAT on the shoulder will increase impact SUPER PRAISE Specific praise given by more than one person in the home.

MOTIVATE YOUR CHILD TO DO HIS / HER BEST WORK INCENTIVES Choose an incentive that is meaningful to the child. CONSISTENCY Several days, a week or two, or even longer is needed to produce results. PHASE OUT incentives Giving incentives is YOUR choice Set firm limits the very first time they show any threatening behavior (i.e. “Doing your homework is your job. Offering you a reward for doing homework is my choice.”)

MOTIVATION IDEAS Grades K-3: Beat the Clock (children who take forever to complete work): Set the timer. “If you get your homework completed with mostly correct answers before the timer goes off, then you get…” Spinner (develop enthusiasm): “Each time you complete your homework, you earn a spin on the spinner.” Chunking Homework Award: Giving award certificates they can display in their room or on the refrigerator. Grades 4-5: Spinner Trade Off (struggling with self-confidence): Place ten point tickets in a bowl. Each time your child asks for help they will pay you a ticket. At the end of Daily Homework Time, he/she can keep what is left. Chunking (too much to do): Complete small amounts at a time with breaks given in between, if needed.

W HAT TO DO WHEN YOUR CHILD IS NOT DOING THEIR HOMEWORK : COMMUNICATE CLEARLY & CONSISTENTLY

C ONSISTENT C OMMUNICATION Tell expectations CLEARLY & CONSISTENTLY 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 now.” Avoid being sidetracked Broken-Record a maximum of 3 times, and then follow through and “back up your words with action”.

B ACK UP YOUR WORDS WITH ACTION Look at situation realistically Children are responsible for their actions—Give him/her a CHOICE. Tell your child the CHOICE is THEIRS Your child can complete his/her homework appropriately or chooses to have privileges suspended until homework is finished. Don’t make MEANINGLESS THREATS Be CONSISTENT by FOLLOWING THROUGH with your demands Clearly express expectations Your child may have to sit at his/her work area each night, until he/she chooses to do homework responsibly.

B ACK UP YOUR WORDS WITH ACTION Be prepared for your child to TEST you with… Crying Anger Indifference Speak calmly and follow through by insisting on your expectations. Stand your ground If you can’t be home, MONITOR your child Communicate with the teacher Contact the teacher to see if he/she can help Establish the idea that you and the teacher are working together

Y OUR PARTNER AT SCHOOL -T HE T EACHER Do not hesitate to contact the teacher when your child is having homework problems. Do not be intimidated by the teacher. Don’t make the mistake of considering difficulties your child has as “the teacher’s problem”. Showing a united front to help your child succeed.

H OW AND W HEN TO CONTACT THE TEACHER If your child CANNOT DO the homework assignment… Do not step in and do the assignment for our child Send a note & possibly include observations of what happens when your child tries to do the work If problem continues, call the teacher or set up a conference to discuss the causes. If your child does NOT BRING HOME assigned work… Ask teacher if he/she can temporarily sign & date his/her assignment sheet or agenda, or you assignments.

H OW AND W HEN TO CONTACT THE TEACHER If your child does NOT FINISH homework assignments… A phone call or conference with the teacher can help you determine the cause of the problem. If your child exhibits POOR WORK HABITS… Send a note to the teacher letting them know you are aware your child will receive consequences for incomplete homework. A phone call or conference with the teacher can help you determine the cause of the problem.

T EACHING S TUDY S KILLS Reading Read to your child Listen to your child read Library Help your child get a library card of their own Build a library of their own Kids magazines Encourage your child to write stories of their own Turn off TV and read together Discuss questions, connections, using mental images while reading.

T EACHING S TUDY S KILLS Long Range Planning Break down assignments into small, easily completed tasks Establish a time period or due date for each smaller task. Schedule smaller assignments into Daily Homework Time

T HANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION & PARTICIPATION THIS EVENING !