Tip #33 from 365 Teacher Secrets from Parents (McKinley & Trombly)

Today's tip for parents from two talented teachers comes from 365 Teacher Secrets for Parents by Cindy McKinley Alder and Patti Trombly.

#33

Review that Homework Policy

It isn't that they can't see the solution.

It's that they can't see the problem.

~G.K. Chesterton

Homework often becomes the dreaded “H” word around homes with school-aged children. Perhaps you know the feeling. You struggle with your child to get her to sit down and complete it, become frustrated trying to help her when she says, “That’s not how my teacher said to do it!,” or become stressed because your child can’t even remember what she’s supposed to do and you have no idea, either! So, begins another year of frustration for your whole family.

Or does it? The goal of homework should be to practice skills learned at school, help develop study habits, foster a positive attitude toward school, learn time management, and show that learning takes place at home, as well. Studies show that completing homework can boost children’s attitudes toward school, build self-discipline, and improve study habits. So, begin today to stop the unnecessary (yes, unnecessary!) frustrations that are bound to arise. Try these tips:

· Review Idea #17’s homework policy tips and the ideas for creating a space conducive to learning in Idea #18. If you and your child come up with an agreed upon time and place and method for homework (write it down), it also makes things easier on you. It allows you simply to refer to it if your child tries to get out of doing homework. Instead of having to say, “I said you have to do it now,” you get to say, “The Homework Policy” says you’ve agreed to do it now.”

● With your child’s new fall schedule, do you need to modify her scheduled homework time? You may even have to find a different time each day to accommodate all of her activities. That’s OK, as long as there is a specific time allotted each day.

● Ask your child’s teacher to attach simple directions to each homework assignment if remembering the directions becomes a problem. Ask your child to explain the directions to you before she begins in order to avoid having to redo the assignment later. Some teachers require planners to be filled out each day. Others are now posting homework and other important messages online. Check into both of these options to see if they are available.

● Check in occasionally while your child is working to see if she needs help. Glance over what she’s done, and let her know if she is off track but try to avoid providing answers. If you see she is making a mistake throughout, then certainly sit with her and show her how to correct her mistakes and move on. Guide, don’t solve.

● Encourage breaks. A 5-minute break every 20 or 30 minutes works well for older elementary students. Younger children may need to stop more often.

● Discuss with her the reason for this homework. If she repeatedly does not know, you may want to talk with the teacher. Children are much more motivated to do any work if they know the reason for the assignment and how it relates to them. It is part of the teacher’s job to explain this to the students. It is also helpful for you to know whether the assignment is an introduction to a new subject, a review or practice of one already begun, or work to be finished because it wasn’t finished in class.

The types and amount of homework given will undoubtedly vary widely from teacher to teacher. Begin now to determine the homework policy of your child’s new teacher. Know that when the right types of assignments are given, homework is an effective way to reinforce skills that your child is learning in school. It should be meaningful, appropriate according to the length of time given to complete it, and able to be completed with knowledge your child has been taught in class and with materials commonly found in the home.

If your child’s assignments continually exceed these expectations, talk with her teacher to determine whether the problem lies with the student or the assignment. Ask for ways in which you can help make her homework experience successful. Ask about the role the teacher expects parents to play. Don’t wait. Do it now. It will make for a much more peaceful year.

Cindy McKinley Alder Patti Trombly

For more posts about the authors and their books (this is not the only one), click HERE.

For excerpts from more books, click HERE.

For more excerpts from 365 Teacher Secrets for Parents, click HERE.

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