Homework Strategies

For many students who have challenges with reading, have ADHD, struggle with focus or memory, or who have a learning disability, homework time can be tough.

You may want to visit the ADDitude Magazine website for tips and resources.

Decoding Strategies

ACCURATELY READ WORDS

Break words into sound units and chunks as we do in our Sonday lessons (based on the white, blue, green, and yellow cards we use to "read sounds").
- a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, i, j, k, l, m, n, o, p, q, r, s, t, u, v, w, x, y, z, ch, tch, th, sh, wh, ph, lt, nt, ft, ang, ing, ong, ung, ank, ink, onk, unk, al, ay, ai, a_e, e_e, i_e, o_e, u_e, oi, oy, ai, oa, ou, ow, igh, ea, ee, ei, ie, eigh, au, aw, ough, ey
- Close syllables
- Open syllables
- Vowel-consonant-E syllables
- Vowel Pair syllables
- R-Combination syllables
- Consonant-LE syllables
Use prefix, suffix, and root word meanings to further break apart tough words.
Check an online dictionary for pronunciation if you've tried all sound patterns and still don't recognize the word.

Vocabulary Study Ideas

MAKE FLASHCARDS

write the word and part of speech on one side

AND

write the definition + a sample sentence on the other side
draw a picture on the other side
list synonyms on the other side

PLAY PICTIONARY

write all vocabulary words on separate slips of paper
place words in a cup, box, or container so you can pull them out at random
with a parnter(s), take turns being the artist and guesser(s)
- one person pulls a word out of the container without showing it to others, confirms the definition with notes or flashcards, then draws the word without using letters, numbers, or symbols
- the remaining partner(s) try to be the first to guess the word
  - to make this game most useful, add 5 or 6 random words to your container, so you don't get in the habit of just shouting out the words on your list

PLAY CONCENTRATION

made a deck of cards with your words (2 copies of each word on papers of equal size, shape, and color)
place cards on a table face down in rows
play with a partner(s) to match words
- turn over a word; correctly use it in a sentence
- turn over another word (trying to match a pair of the same words); correctly use it in a sentence
  - If you use the word correctly AND match a pair, take another turn.
  - If you misuse a word and don't match a pair, play moves to the next partner.

PLAY CHARADES

write all vocabulary words on separate slips of paper
place words in a cup, box, or container so you can pull them out at random
with a parnter(s), take turns being the actor and guesser(s)
- one person pulls a word out of the container without showing it to others, confirms the definition with notes or flashcards, then acts out the word without talking or making noise
- the remaining partner(s) try to be the first to guess the word
  - to make this game most useful, add 5 or 6 random words to your container, so you don't get in the habit of just shouting out the words on your list

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