“Helping Your Child with Homework” OCS Title I Family Involvement Workshop Presented by Michelle Marangi

Homework is an opportunity for children to learn and for families to be involved in their children’s education.

Helping children with homework isn’t always easy. At parent-teacher meetings and in conferences with parents, teachers often hear questions such as: How can I get Michael to do his homework? Every night it’s a struggle to get him to turn off the TV and do his homework.

Why isn’t Maria getting more homework? Why is Jonathan getting so much homework? When is Suki supposed to do homework? She takes piano lessons, sings in her church choir, plays basketball and helps with family chores. There’s hardly any time left to study. How can I help Robert with his math homework when I don’t understand it? Do homework assignments really help my child learn?

Why Do Teachers Assign Homework? Teachers assign homework for many reasons. Homework can help their students: Review and practice what they’ve covered in class. Get ready for the next day’s class. Learn to use resources, such as libraries, reference materials and computer websites to find information about a subject.

Extend learning by applying skills they already have to new situations. Explore subjects more fully than classroom time permits. Integrate their learning by applying many different skills to a single task, such as book reports or science projects. Homework also can help students to develop good study habits and positive attitudes. It Can teach them to work independently; and encourage self-discipline and responsibility **Homework assignments provide some children with their first chance to manage time and to meet deadlines.

Homework can help create greater understanding between families and teachers and provide opportunities for increased communication. Monitoring homework keeps families informed about what their children are learning and about the policies and programs of the teacher and the school. Homework helps to make connections between home and school

Does Homework Help Children Learn? Homework helps your child do better in school when the assignments are meaningful, are completed successfully and are returned to the student with constructive comments from the teacher. An assignment should have a specific purpose, come with clear instructions, be fairly well matched to a child’s abilities and help to develop a child’s knowledge and skills.

What is the Right Amount of Homework? The right amount of homework depends on the age and skills of the child. National Organizations of Parents and Teachers suggest: K-2: 10 to 20 minutes of homework each school day. 3-6: 30 to 60 minutes a school day. 7-9: can benefit from spending more time on homework and the amount may vary from night to night. ***Amounts that vary from these guidelines are fine for some children and in some situations. For example, because reading at home is especially important for children, reading assignments might push the time on homework a bit beyond the amounts suggested here. *** If you are concerned that your child has either too much or too little homework, talk with his teacher and learn about her homework policies.

The 5 – Step Homework Plan

Step 1: Schedule a Daily Homework Time Step 2: Set up a Study Area Step 3: Create a Homework Survival Kit Step 4: Let Your child know that homework is important Step 5: Praise your child

Step 1 Schedule Daily Homework Time (DHT)

Remember: Your child’s outside activities, such as sports or music lessons, may mean that you need a flexible homework schedule. If there isn’t enough time to finish homework, your child may need to drop some outside activity. Let your child know that homework is high priority.

Sit with your child and discuss how much time is needed each day for homework. Help your child fill in the schedule. Be sure to include after school activities and responsibilities. Look at the blank spaces that remain on the schedule. Decide which times would be best for homework. Have you child fill in the spaces for Daily Homework Time each day of the week. Implementing a Homework Schedule!

Check to see that your child starts on time. Check to see that your child finishes all work during the DHT. End each DHT session by reading with your child. When the parent can’t be home during DHT, the child should leave their homework out so the parent can check it. Ways to keep the scheduled Daily Homework Time working:

Step 2 Set Up a Study Area

Setting Up a Study Area! Choose a spot in your home to be your child’s study area. Turn off the TV and discourage social telephone calls during DHT. Some children work well with quiet background music. The study are should be off limits to siblings during DHT if possible.

Every time your child is interrupted it takes 2 – 3 minutes to regain concentration. That’s a lot of wasted time and that’s one of the reasons homework seems to take so long on some nights.

Step 3 Provide Supplies and Identify Resources

Provide Supplies and Identify Resources Organize supplies in a Homework Survival Kit. This can be a shoebox, an old lunchbox, or any container that will help keep supplies organized Try to make appropriate reference materials available (dictionary, thesaurus, etc.) Keep the Homework Survival Kit in the study area and stocked at all times.

Homework Survival Kit Supplies Crayons* Pencils* Erasers* Writing paper* Scissors* Pencil Sharpener Glue Pens Tape Markers Construction paper Hole punch Stapler Children’s dictionary Ruler Rubber bands *These are the most important supplies your child needs. Try to obtain these items as soon as possible. Add additional supplies as you are able.

Step 4 Let Your Child Know that Homework IS Important!

Let your child know that homework is important. Set a good example for your child. Let him see you reading books, newspapers, etc. and using math to balance your checkbook or measuring to make their favorite cookies. Play word and math games with your child. This helps him use skills he is learning in everyday routines. Help her look up information about things she is interested in. ***Don’t underestimate the influence you have on your child. Your words can and do make a difference in how your child approaches responsibility.

Ask to see your child’s completed homework each night. Respect your child’s study are and Homework Survival Kit. Check your child’s assignment book or homework sheet each night. Ask about long range assignments that may be coming up. “Actions Speak Louder than Words.” It is important to tell your child what you expect regarding homework. It’s just as important to consistently show your child how you feel:

Monitor Homework Check with your child’s teacher about any rules or guidelines children are expected to follow as they complete their homework assignments. Expectations for parent involvement vary. Ask the teacher what her expectations are. Be available to answer questions and provide necessary assistance. Too much parent involvement can make children dependent. Look over completed assignments.

Step 5 Praise and Encourage Your Child!

Consistently praise your child’s homework efforts. Don’t save your praise for days when 100% tests come home. Praise your child for specific accomplishments. Praise and Encourage!

Super Praise! Try a little “Super Praise.” Super Praise is a powerful way to let your child know how proud you are of his efforts. Here’s how to use it:

Super Praise One Parent praises the child. This parent praises the child in front of the other parent. The other parent praises the child. ***If you are a single parent use a grandparent, neighbor or family friend as your partner in delivering Super Praise.

Additional Suggestions

Monitor time spent viewing TV and playing video games Discuss how much time should be spent watching TV and what programs are appropriate for viewing. Monitor the types of video games your child plays

Encourage Good Study Habits Help your child manage their time Help your child get started Give practice tests Help your child avoid last minute cramming Discuss test taking strategies with your child –Read instructions carefully –Keep track of time –Move on when stuck Talk about assignments to assure understanding As signs of frustration, let your child take a break.

Talk to teachers to resolve problems Tell the teacher about your concerns. Contact your child’s teacher early in the year or as soon as you suspect a problem. Schedule a conference to discuss your concerns. Approach the teacher with a cooperative spirit. Let the teacher know if your child finds the homework assignments too easy or too hard. Make sure that communication is clear and understood. Follow up with the teacher.

Helping your child with homework is an opportunity to improve your child’s chances of doing well in school and life. By helping your child with homework: –You help her learn important lessons about discipline and responsibility. –You can open up lines of communication. Child School Parent

Homework Help Websites