1. Homework Help: Strategies, Time Management and Organization Skills
Presented by:
Lorena Chavez
Elementary School Counselor:
CJ Morris/Walnut EL/ Maple Hill

2. 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

3. 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

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

5. 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!****

6. MAKE HW 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

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

8. 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

9. 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.

10. 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.
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.

11. SELF-BARGANING & HOMEWORK INCENTIVES

12. 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.

13. 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

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

15. 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.”

16. 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 you assignments.

17. 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.

18. 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!