Embedded Files
Is homework a struggle in your house? Are your students spending too much time on it or not enough? Do they procrastinate, forget what they're supposed to do, and miraculously lose it before returning it back to their teacher? Follow these suggestions below to help make it less of an ordeal. By starting healthy homework habits, your students (and you) can be happier during the weeknights!
*CUSD suggests 10-15 minutes for kindergarten, 10-25 minutes for grades first and second, 20-30 minutes for grades third and fourth, and 30-50 minutes for grades fifth and sixth per night.
Top 10 Homework Tips
Know the teachers and what they're looking for! Attend school events, such as parent-teacher conferences and curriculum night, to meet their teachers. Ask about their homework policies and how you should be involved.
Set up a homework-friendly area in your home. Make sure kids have a well-lit place to complete homework. Keep supplies (paper, pencils, etc) within reach like they have at school.
Schedule a regular study time. Some kids work best in the afternoon following a snack and play period whereas others prefer to wait until after dinner. Regardless, make it a scheduled activity so they know what to expect.
Help your child make a plan. On heavy homework nights or when there's an especially hefty assignment to tackle, encourage them to break up the work into manageable chunks. Create a work schedule for the night if necessary and schedule in 15-minute brain breaks if necessary.
Keep distractions to a minimum. This means no TV, loud music, or phone calls. Sometimes, a phone call to a classmate can be helpful if they're stuck though!
Make sure kids do their own work. They won't learn if they don't think for themselves and make their own mistakes. Parents can make suggestions and help with directions but it is a kid's job to do the learning.
Be a motivator and monitor. Ask about assignments, quizzes, and tests. Give encouragement, check completed homework, and make yourself available for questions and concerns.
Set a good example. Do your kids see you diligently balancing your budget or reading a book? Kids are more likely to follow their parents' examples than their advice.
Praise their work and efforts. Post an aced test or art project on the refrigerator. Mention academic achievements to relatives.
If there are continuing problems with homework, get help. Talk about it with your child's teacher. Some kids have trouble seeing the board and may need glasses. Others might need an evaluation for a learning problem. Sometimes a couple tutoring sessions can help. It is always helpful to check in with the teacher regularly to see where they are at.
From KidsHealth.org
Pomodoro Technique for Homework
Pomodoro Technique for Homework
The Pomodoro Technique is a time management method developed by Francesco Cirillo in the late 1980s. The system encourages people to work with the time they have rather than against it. This technique has you break your work into 25-minute chunks with 5-minute breaks in between. A timer will keep track of the time for you so you can focus on the work. After completing 4 rounds of 25-minute work sessions (aka Pomodorros), you take a 15-30 minute break before starting again. Using this method has shown many benefits including helping you resist self-interruptions and re-training your brain to focus. Each Pomodoro is dedicated to one task and each break is a chance to reset and bring your attention back to what you should be working on.
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse