1. OUR FUTURE

2. Refreshments and registration: A3 Homework and Routines: A3 Maths Workshop: E6: Mr Govender and Mr Kersey English Workshop: A1 Mrs Simpson Departure: Safe journeys home. TONIGHT’S SESSIONS

3. Why is it important for parents to be involved in homework? Studies in Britain have shown that children who are supported by their families with homework are likely to perform significantly better in academic examinations at 16 years old and beyond than those who do not. By showing an interest you are communicating the fact that school work is important and needs to be taken seriously.

4. HOMEWORK

5. Issues that students face with homework Organisation Prioritising tasks Understanding the tasks Focus & concentration Time management Quality work

6. Teenage brain development Information for parents Over the last 10 years brain scans (MRI) have told us more about how teenager brains function differently to adult brains By knowing more about how the teenager’s brain works it can help adults to understand their behaviour better – Why they may take risks, sleep a lot, be impulsive, emotional, rebellious, disorganised, distracted and late! Teenagers may look physically mature but their brains are still developing into their early twenties 6 ©Solihull Approach

9. TEENAGE BRAIN DEVELOPMENT As adults we use the frontal part of our brain to think, make judgements, organise ourselves and interpret facial expressions and emotions By using brain scans(MRI) researchers have found that while the front part of the teenager’s brain is growing and developing they use this part of their brain less for some functions 9 ©SOLIHULL APPROACH

10. TEENAGE BRAIN DEVELOPMENT INFORMATION FOR PARENTS In teenagers control of speech and interpreting facial expressions and emotions is controlled by the part of the brain we use when we are in danger 10 ©SOLIHULL APPROACH

11. THE CEO OF THE BRAIN The frontal lobes: executive decisions and moral/ethical control Development continues from back to front through early 20’s “It’s sort of unfair to expect teens to have adult levels of organizational skills or decision-making before their brains are finished being built.”- Dr. Giedd

12. FRONTAL LOBE Problem solving Judgment Inhibition of behavior Planning Self-monitoring Personality Emotions Organization Attention Concentration Mental flexibility Speaking Awareness of abilities Self-control “do the right thing”

13. DON’T BELIEVE EVERYTHING THEY TELL YOU….. Teens relied on the amygdala, associated with emotion and gut reactions. MRI tests: Teens see anger when it was not intended Teens can be irrational and overly emotional

14. Teenage brain development Sleep - Information for parents 14 ©Solihull Approach

15. TEENAGE SLEEP Teenagers need at least 9 hrs sleep to be optimally alert Changes in sleep patterns are linked to puberty and changes in hormones Puberty is a time when teenager’s physical growth speeds up and this is controlled by the release of growth hormone 15 ©SOLIHULL APPROACH girls about 11 years boys around 14years

16. TEENAGE SLEEP 16 ©SOLIHULL APPROACH Teenagers are growing very quickly in a short time Teenagers are growing very quickly in a short time

17. TEENAGER’S SLEEP PATTERNS 17 ©SOLIHULL APPROACH Growth hormone is released during sleep To grow this quickly they need to make more growth hormone in their body

18. TEENAGE SLEEP ©SOLIHULL APPROACH Teenagers will continue with this sleep pattern until they have finished puberty Near the end of puberty they will change to an adult pattern For girls this is about 19.5 years of age and boys around 21 years of age Teenagers will continue with this sleep pattern until they have finished puberty Near the end of puberty they will change to an adult pattern For girls this is about 19.5 years of age and boys around 21 years of age In teenagers the sleep hormone (melatonin) is released about 1am compared to 10pm in adults In teenagers the sleep hormone (melatonin) is released about 1am compared to 10pm in adults

19. ROUTINES

20. SUPPORTING YOUR TEENAGER TIPS FOR PARENTS  Bedtime routines and having ways to settle off to sleep are still important. You might just need to adapt them to be more in tune with what is happening to your teenager’s body  Try to encourage a regular bed time that is not too early  Try to keep calm – Just as when they were younger they will rely on you to help them stay calm  Keep bedroom cool  Encourage a calm down time such as agreeing a time to stop using the computer and TV.  Reduce lighting - Having dimmable/lamp lighting can be helpful 20 ©SOLIHULL APPROACH

21. BACK TO SCHOOL Imagine you are reviewing the homework set this week. 1.Use the cards to prioritise your homework 2.Choose one to complete now!

22. History: Complete all cartoons on sheet 4 th Feb Drama: Define physical theatre, how have I used it? 3 rd Feb Spanish: Learn first column of blue vocab sheet 4 th Feb Science: Complete sheet and design cell (optional) 3 rd Feb Spanish: Design an A4 leaflet/poster about Spanish festival Dia de la Hispanidad 4 th Feb English: Half hour on sonnet 5 th Feb Geography: Complete 1 task p1-3 from booklet and advertising script 5 th Feb Art: Finish Portrait, see sketch book 5 th Feb Art: Nelson Mandela, research portrait pictures and write about them. Basic details 4 th Feb Maths: Complete sheet 3 rd Feb

23. How to support your child with their homework

24. Or how to turn this… … to this

25. How you can help Check your child’s planner and Insight every day Provide some space and time Get into a routine Use rewards Give time limits Limit the use of TV/electronic devices that sap time and focus! Organising, prioritising and time management

26. How you can help Read through the instructions and help to get them started Encourage your child to talk to staff if ever unsure Check the end result for quality Test them – Spanish vocabulary, spellings, times tables etc Ask questions Encourage reading Quality tasks

27. How you can help Have a homework folder Label the pieces of work with the child’s name, teachers name and due date Check all pieces are in the folder & school bag ready for the next day Practicalities