Homework Help:
Homework Tips Most kids need some time to unwind after school and before settling in to do their homework. But don't wait too long.
Children have trouble concentrating when they're hungry. If they do homework before dinner, offer a healthy snack.
Younger children have a harder time sitting still for extended periods of time. Break their homework time up into shorter sessions. It's better to practice flash cards for two 10-minute periods rather than one 20-minute period.
Have a space set up for doing homework away from the television. Good lighting is important. Your child should work at a table or a desk. Have study materials organized at their study center: pencils, erasers, paper, scissors, crayons and/or colored pencils, and glue. It is also helpful to have a dictionary available that is at your child's level.
Instead of saying, "Would you like to work on your homework now?" say, "It's time to work on your homework now."
Set goals with your child. Then focus on one at a time.
Praise your child for working hard or showing improvement. Praise generously, yet honestly. Be specific in your praise. Say "You spelled eight out of ten words right, much better." instead of "Good job!"
You might use a timer if your child has difficulty staying on the job. If this makes them nervous, then put the timer away.
Try to make connections between their new skill and other skills they already know.
If your child gets fidgety while working on one assignment, you might try switching to another assignment for a while, and then come back to the other one.
Encourage independence. If they are able to do something on their own, encourage them to do so. Remember, it is not YOUR homework.
In 4th - 6th grade, students are expected to look back in the textbook for information. Help your child to use the index and the glossary in the backs of these books for information. Chapters have pictures and section headings to guide you to the right page. Vocabulary words are often highlighted. Use these tools to guide your child.
Organization-organization-organization: Get your child in the habit of packing their assignment back into their backpack as soon as they complete it. That way there isn't a mad scramble in the morning to find everything and assignments will not be accidently left at home.
Check your child's assignment notebook and yellow folder. These are tools your child's teacher provides to keep you informed. If slips need to be signed and returned, sign them right away and pack them back in the backpack. Don't wait until morning to check your child's backpack.
Teach your child to take finished and graded work out of the backpack. This will make it easier to locate their current work.
Help your child prepare for tests. Spelling practice tests usually take place on Wednesday, and the final test is usually on Friday. Do a quick practice each night until your child can spell all of the words correctly. For Social Studies, Health, and Science, there is a lot of new vocabulary. Try to review the vocabulary for a chapter prior to the test.
scholastic website for parents Scholastic has a terrific website with lots of tips and ideas for parents. Check it out at the link below:
Children have trouble concentrating when they're hungry. If they do homework before dinner, offer a healthy snack.
Younger children have a harder time sitting still for extended periods of time. Break their homework time up into shorter sessions. It's better to practice flash cards for two 10-minute periods rather than one 20-minute period.
Have a space set up for doing homework away from the television. Good lighting is important. Your child should work at a table or a desk. Have study materials organized at their study center: pencils, erasers, paper, scissors, crayons and/or colored pencils, and glue. It is also helpful to have a dictionary available that is at your child's level.
Instead of saying, "Would you like to work on your homework now?" say, "It's time to work on your homework now."
Set goals with your child. Then focus on one at a time.
Praise your child for working hard or showing improvement. Praise generously, yet honestly. Be specific in your praise. Say "You spelled eight out of ten words right, much better." instead of "Good job!"
You might use a timer if your child has difficulty staying on the job. If this makes them nervous, then put the timer away.
Try to make connections between their new skill and other skills they already know.
If your child gets fidgety while working on one assignment, you might try switching to another assignment for a while, and then come back to the other one.
Encourage independence. If they are able to do something on their own, encourage them to do so. Remember, it is not YOUR homework.
In 4th - 6th grade, students are expected to look back in the textbook for information. Help your child to use the index and the glossary in the backs of these books for information. Chapters have pictures and section headings to guide you to the right page. Vocabulary words are often highlighted. Use these tools to guide your child.
Organization-organization-organization: Get your child in the habit of packing their assignment back into their backpack as soon as they complete it. That way there isn't a mad scramble in the morning to find everything and assignments will not be accidently left at home.
Check your child's assignment notebook and yellow folder. These are tools your child's teacher provides to keep you informed. If slips need to be signed and returned, sign them right away and pack them back in the backpack. Don't wait until morning to check your child's backpack.
Teach your child to take finished and graded work out of the backpack. This will make it easier to locate their current work.
Help your child prepare for tests. Spelling practice tests usually take place on Wednesday, and the final test is usually on Friday. Do a quick practice each night until your child can spell all of the words correctly. For Social Studies, Health, and Science, there is a lot of new vocabulary. Try to review the vocabulary for a chapter prior to the test.
scholastic website for parents Scholastic has a terrific website with lots of tips and ideas for parents. Check it out at the link below: