Homework

Homework is practice to master skills and concepts. They need to realize that it is not something to be done just to show the teacher. The most successful math students make this shift in mindset.

Student Advice:

“The biggest adjustment I have made was, checking my work with teacher supplied keys to make sure the answers are correct.”--Previous Student

“Doing homework only helps you, it's not busy work or anything of the sort. It's to help you practice and understand the topic more.”--Previous Student

“I wish I had known that even if Homework isn't graded you should still try on it because it will help your understanding for tests and quizzes. I always did my Homework because I learned from middle school but when you come to Barlow understanding topics means a lot more than just rushing over Homework to get it done.”--Previous Student

Homework needs to be done when assigned.

We have many student athletes that never miss their sports practice. Students should be the same way with math practice.

A key component to learning math is CHECKING each problem.

To continue the sports analogy, you practice the correct methods and avoid bad habits. The same is true for math practice. That is why we provide homework answers, and often complete homework solutions. Students should make corrections to their work based on the keys provided.

Random Homework Checks - if needed.

If you are checking in with your child about homework here is some advice regarding typical student responses:

“I did it already.” Fantastic, ask to see it. Remember there is NO MATH needed on your part. Here is what to look for:

• Is it neat and organized? Link: Student Example
• Is it dated with a clear reference to problem # and page #?
• Ask “Did you check the answer against solutions provided?” Link: Teacher provided solution
• Ask to see if your child is making corrections versus leaving problems unfinished.
• What homework should NOT look like: Link here - Maybe too much

“I have no idea how to do it!”

Suggestions:

• Let’s start by looking at your notes. If you need to, use the online teacher’s notes.
• Is there an example like the problem in the textbook?
• Can you ask Facetime or contact a friend?
• Can we search YouTube or Khan Academy for help?
• If you child is still having difficulty, can he/she summarize what they need help with and bring it to extra help either with their teacher or to the Math Center.

“I worked on it for over an hour.”

The typical Math homework practice takes around twenty minutes on average.

Suggestions:

• Remove distractions such as electronic devices.
• Have your child work in a public place in the house to help avoid distraction.
• Recommend that your student review his/her notes BEFORE doing the assignment. It could be that he/she was not prepared to do the assignment.

If your child truly is regularly taking upwards of an hour on math homework assignments, he/she should reach out to the teacher.

“I didn’t have any.”

That is possible, but we do assign math practice about 90% of the time. Some exceptions might be the day after a test or a lesson that takes more than one day. If you want confirmation, have your child log in to see if any was in fact posted.

If they truly have extra time, recommend correcting or redoing a problem from a previous assignment, quiz, or test.