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Helping Your Student Get the Most Out of Homework
Homework
indicates that children who spend more time on regularly assigned,
meaningful homework, on average, do better in school, and that the
academic benefits of homework increase as children move into the
upper grades.
families and teachers can help children develop good study habits and
attitudes to become lifelong learners.
It gives specific advice for helping your children.
the work that has been covered in class to see whether students
understand the lesson, to help students learn how to find and use more
information on a subject. Homework is also the link between school and
home that shows what children are studying.
graded, and discussed with students, it can improve students' grades
and understanding of their schoolwork
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Q—How much time should my children spend each night on homework?
A—Most educators agree that… for children in grades K-2, homework
is more effective when it does not exceed 10-20 minutes each school
day; older children, in grades 3-6, can handle 30-60 minutes a day; in
junior and senior high school, the amount of homework will vary by
subject. Most older students will also have homework projects, such
as research papers and oral reports, that may have deadlines weeks
away. They may need help organizing assignments and planning work
times to make sure homework is ready to turn in on time. Your children's
teachers can tell you how much time they expect students to spend on
homework. Place most concern on whether the homework is meaningful
and whether over a period homework is assigned in all of the student's
subjects.
Ask your principal if your school or school district has a homework
policy. If it does, make sure that you and your children know and
understand that policy.
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positive outlook. Take an active interest in your children's schooling.
Ask specific questions about what happens at school each day and how
your children feel about it.
supporting and encouraging your children's learning. Let them know
how much you care about education by continuing your own learning
both informally and formally, to impress its importance upon them.
and the school supplies that your children need. This can be almost
anyplace in your home; you don't need a special room.
together on homework, reading, letter writing and playing games.
example, some children work best when they're lying on the floor with
background music playing.
Q—Can my children do homework while listening to music or watching
television?
must work in silence. Television can be a big problem. Many teachers
ask that the television be turned off while children are doing
homework.
Research shows that American children on average spend far more
time watching television than they do completing homework. Although
it's worth noting that television can be a learning tool, it's best to
leave the television off during homework time.
Q—How much help should I give?
students often need extra homework help. First, make sure the child
understands the directions. Do a few problems together, then watch your child do a few. When your child is finished, check the work. Praise
right answers, and show how to correct mistakes.
where your children are having trouble.
One of the most helpful things you can do is to show your children that
you think homework is important. Many children today do their
homework while their parents are at work. When you are at home,
ask to see your children's homework and discuss it with them. Ask
questions and be supportive.
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you didn't like when you were in school. You can still help your children
by praising their progress, getting help from a public library or homework hotline, and talking with their teachers.
You don't have to be an expert in a subject to help with homework.
There are many places to go for help.
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be involved in their children's education. When you stay in touch with
your children's teachers, they can ease your worries and offer their
own homework tips and ideas on how you can help your children learn.
Meet each of your children's teachers and ask what kind of homework
will be given. This is very important, even if you have children in junior
or senior high school.
Early in the school year and on occasion, ask teachers about your
children's subjects and about homework policies. For example, ask
what books your children will be using, what kinds of assignments will
be given, and when the teacher is available to answer questions.
What can I do to help?
Suggest that the child ask the teacher for extra help before or after
school. Tell your child it's good to ask the teacher about homework or
anything else he or she doesn't understand. Set a time to meet with
the teacher to discuss the problem. You may need to meet again
during the year to check on how your child is doing.
If your child understands the work but is still having trouble, ask for
a meeting with the teacher. The two of you should work out a plan to
meet your child's needs.
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your child always seems bored or unhappy, you need to try to find out
the reason by talking with your child. Then talk with the teacher to
come up with a solution.
Teachers want students to learn from homework. Tell the teacher if
your child thinks the homework is too easy or too hard. This will help
the teacher match homework with student ability and maturity levels.
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finished or that they don't have any. How do I make sure they're
really doing their work?
always review lessons, read a book, or work on practice exercises
during quiet time, even if they don't have homework. Ask younger
children to show you their homework so that you can check it, sign it,
and date it. Teachers like to see that adults have checked children's
homework. If your children's school has a homework hotline, call it to
check for the day's assignments. If your children often have no
homework to do, you should let their teachers know.
they always have homework or studying to do.
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Q—What if my child still isn't turning homework in?
A—State clearly and assertively to your child that you expect
homework to be done and turned in to the teacher. Let your child
know you will not tolerate irresponsible behavior about homework.
solved. You may need weekly contact with the teacher until the
student develops new habits.
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good grades?
means a lot. Praise your children's work often. Show pride when your
children do their best, no matter what grades they get.
Be careful about giving money or gifts as rewards. Most teachers
want parents to reward students' work in other ways. The next time
your child does a good job on a school project, plan a special family
activity as a reward.
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Homework Hints
Assume that your children will have studying to do every night. Ask
your children if they understand their homework. If they do not, work
a few examples together.
returns it, to learn where they're having trouble and where they're
doing well. See if your children did the work correctly.
and what they are studying. Ask their teachers how you can support
what they are studying (flash cards, spelling, etc.). Remember, you
and their teachers want the same thing-to help your children learn.
don't understand an assignment or if your child is having a great deal
of trouble. Almost all parents run into these problems, and teachers
are glad to help.
themselves.
at work during homework time, ask to see their work when you get
home.
good study habits.
on calendars or planners, along with due dates, dates turned in, etc.