Homework Tips

Homework. The word alone may bring up some not so positive feelings and memories for students, parents and teachers alike, but there are some key tips that may make homework more manageable!

Know what the assignments are each night.

• Staff at AMSB encourage students to use a consistent system to record their homework for each class. This system may be use of the agenda provided to all students, a digital agenda in GoogleDocs, a homework app on a Smart Phone or other. Talk with your child and teachers for help figuring out what the best system will be.
• Consider using a homework folder, one folder or binder that all homework assignments for the night are placed into that travels to all classes and home each night. When the assignments are graded and returned, they can be filed by class.
• Teachers at AMSB maintain webpages in Unified Classroom with assignments and important class or team information. Check the webpages if your child forgets to write down the homework or if you would like to double check what the assignments are.
• Consider having your child find a homework buddy, a peer on the same team and in the same level classes whom they can call, text or email to ask questions about homework.

Routines are key.

• Set up a homework routine with consistent expectations of when, where and how homework is done in your household. Is the best time right after school? After a 30 minute break? Between an after school activity and dinner?
• Have clear work space in a visible location of the household, where you can see what your child is working on (particularly if they are working on the computer).
• The space should be (to the extent possible) free of background noise, away from games/gaming systems, and televisions
• Have fun designing a homework space together with needed materials for assignments.

Model planning and organization.

• Talk with your child about the assignments for the night. Have you child prioritize tasks and estimate how long each one will take. You may need to guide this conversation.
• After a task is done, have your child reflect on the process- did some tasks take longer? Less time? Did he or she complete all parts of the assignment?

Keep track of the time spent on homework.

• If you have estimated that homework will take 1-1/2 hours for the evening, decide with your child if they would want to work straight through, take 10 minute breaks every 30 minutes or some other schedule.
• Based on this schedule determine what time homework is expected to be done. Consider using a timer.
• If you find your child is spending extraordinary amounts of time on homework, encourage them to email their teachers (cc-ing you) and ask for help with content or assignments. This builds self-advocacy skills!

Make sure the assignments are completed and packed up for the next day.

• The most frustrating thing about doing homework, is finishing everything and forgetting it at home! Remind your child to put all materials back in his or her homework folder and in his or her backpack.
• Some students are very independent with homework routines. Some are still developing these independent skills and may need parents to check to make sure the assignments have been completed and packed up. Parents may want to look at the assignments to see that they have been completed.

Build in incentives for consistent follow through with established routines.

• Homework is hard for parents and students. After being at school/work all day, you have to come home and do more work. We get that! Consider providing incentives for consistent follow through with homework routines and completing assignments.
• You may want to create a homework incentive plan such that there are clear criteria for earning specific rewards. Teachers and counselors can help you develop this type of plan upon request. Here are some general notes on developing homework incentive plans.
  • Determine what is getting in the way of completing homework. Some children wait until the last minute to begin homework, others do not write down what the assignments are, others rush through assignments and make mistakes and still others forget needed materials. Talk to your child to figure out what is getting in the way of completing homework assignments.
  • Set a specific goal that is linked to the problem. If your child consistently forgets his or her materials, then the goal would include bringing all needed materials home. When this problem is addressed, then focus on starting homework right away, finishing tasks or packing everything up when finished.
  • Decide on possible reinforcers and consequences. No signal incentive will work for every child. Try a point system with menu options for your child to choose from. Penalties may include the loss of a privilege (ex. no TV, video game or internet time for that night or the next night).
  • Consider writing a homework contract that details the plan, what your child is agreeing to do and what parent roles and responsibilities are.
  • No incentive system works the first time and you may need to try it out and redesign it to work for your child and your family.