1. Homework Tips for Parents
Ways to help you help your child
Miller Elementary
September 2016

2. Does this sound familiar?
You do more of the homework than your child
The first time you hear about a major project is the night before…and they haven’t started it yet!
Your child says they can do homework, play Xbox, watch youtube, watch tv, and listen to music…at the same time!
“I don’t have homework tonight!”

3. How will I know what my child has for homework?
It is important to check your child’s agenda EVERY NIGHT! It contains information not only about homework but other assignment and upcoming projects.

4. Help your child get organized
Provide a regular place for homework
Always in the same location
Quiet
Comfortable
Well lit
Proper materials(pencils, paper, books, etc.)
No t.v. or electronics nearby

5. Help your child get organized, continued…
Provide a regular or set time for homework
As soon as they get home, after a small snack
After dinner (give time to wind down, but start early enough to not finish past bedtime)
Use a timer to indicate that it’s time to start homework

6. Your role…. Be positive about homework
Be a role model (when they read, you read)
When they ask for help, provide guidance not answers
Work with your child’s teacher & stay informed
Check your child’s agenda every night (And Wednesday folders every Wednesday)

7. Pre – K Tips… Read to your child every night
Practice writing and drawing
Teach them independence (give them a job ex. unload dishwasher, feed dog)
Practice letter & number identification and counting
Keep in contact with your child’s teacher
Teach them to listen and follow directions

8. Kindergarten Tips…
Have your child read at least 10 minutes every night and ask questions about the book
Practice sight words, letter recognition and the sounds they make
Practice writing their name with upper & lower case letters
Practice writing letters neatly and correctly
Practice identifying and writing numbers out of order and naming shapes
Check the agenda every night for important information
Stay in contact with your child’s teacher

9. First Grade Tips….
Check the homework notebook and agenda everyday. It contains sight word lists, homework suggestions, addition/subtraction facts and strategies and so much more!
Homework is sent home every Friday and due the following Friday to give families time for completion
Read with your child every night and sign the reading log. Return the bag with all the books to school each day.(Beginning in September).
Use bookmark of reading questions to ask student after reading
Practice sight words every night and sign homework log
Practice counting and writing to 120.
Students should complete 4 activities from the spelling choice board weekly
Keep in contact with your child’s teacher

10. Second Grade Tips…. Read every night for at least 10 minutes
Practice fluency passages with student nightly
Use comprehension questions after reading
Sign up for Class Dojo (ask your child’s teacher for login information)
Visit the helpful websites on the handout
Practice the addition and subtraction strategies shown on the handout
Check the monthly class newsletter for what your child is learning
Keep in contact with your child’s teacher

11. Third Grade Tips….
Encourage your child to read at least 10 – 15 minutes every night (but they can do more)
Have them retell the story or write a short summary in their reading notebook and use the comprehension questions nightly
Practice fluency passages/poems nightly
Practice writing using the writing checklist
Math and ELA homework will be given every Monday (homework is checked on Friday)
Let the teacher know if there is something that you don’t understand

12. Fourth Grade Tips…. Read a minimum of 20 minutes each day
Practice reading passages and comprehension questions daily
Practice fluency passages daily
Use writing checklist to help student with writing correctly
Study math facts and spelling words for any upcoming tests
Each week check for the math and grammar spiral review and the spelling choice board
Keep in contact with your child’s teacher

13. Fifth Grade Tips…. Read at least 20 minutes every night
Encourage independence
Listen to students read each night and record on reading log
Review writing sample to help student with writing
Create a place value chart that ranges from thousandths all the way up to millions (if in doubt draw a model)
Websites such as study jam and Khan Academy
Read and study over notes every night (don’t wait till it’s time to take a test)
Talk to the teacher about anything you don’t understand

14. In summary…

15. References
U.S. Department of Education Office of Intergovernmental & Interagency Affairs, Educational Partnerships & Family Involvement Unit, Homework Tips for Parents, Washington, D.C. (2003)
Miller Elementary Grade Level Teachers (2016)

16. Don’t forget to visit our Parent Resource Center (Room 404) anytime you are at Miller!

17. Let me hear from you…