Catonsville Elementary HOMEWORK TIPS Catonsville Elementary Ellen Sheppard

Does this happen to you? You are engaged in nightly battles. Your child rushes through his/her homework. Your child “forgets” to bring homework home. You do more of the homework than they do.

Does this happen to you? Your child takes forever to finish homework. Your child insists that they can do homework while watching TV, talking on the phone and listening to the stereo. The first time you hear about a major project is the night before it is due.

Academic Success Students who consistently do homework perform better than those you don’t. By doing homework, students can improve achievement in all subjects. Homework improves achievement of both high and low achievers. Homework instills the sense of responsibility.

What you will learn today. You will learn how to … set up a proper study area. get homework finished on time. motivate your children with praise. motivate your children to do their own work. communicate assertively. back up your words with actions. work with your child’s teacher provide study skills to improve your child’s performance in school.

Setting up a Proper Study Area Choose a location that is free from distraction. Make sure it is well lit. Equip your child with a Homework Survival Kit. Do Not Disturb sign After an interruption, it takes 2 – 3 minutes to regain their concentration.

Follow these guidelines in choosing a homework spot. Grades K-3 Choose the location with your child. Make sure it is someplace where you can be available for help Grades 4-6 Guide your child in choosing a good location. Talk together about which places may be better than others. Be available, but not right there. Grades 7-12 Your child can choose his/her own space. Make sure it is distraction free.

You will learn how to … set up a proper study area. get homework finished on time. motivate your children with praise. motivate your children to do their own work. communicate assertively. back up your words with actions. work with your child’s teacher provide study skills to improve your child’s performance in school.

Get Homework Done on Time Homework must be scheduled into your child’s life. Establish a Daily Homework time. Establish Mandatory Homework time.

Follow these guidelines Grades K-3 It is your responsibility to establish Daily homework time for your child. Select a time when an adult can be present. Schedule other children the same time. If possible, schedule homework time the same time each day. Write it down and post it.

Guidelines Grades 4-6 Grades 7-12 Have your child determine his/her own time, write it down and post it. Check the sheet to make sure it is appropriate. Grades 7-12 It is the responsibility of your child to determine their own homework time. Be available to monitor the schedule.

You will learn how to … set up a proper study area. get homework finished on time. motivate your children with praise. motivate your children to do their own work. communicate assertively. back up your words with actions. work with your child’s teacher provide study skills to improve your child’s performance in school.

Motivate your child with praise Consistently praise your child’s efforts. Tell your child specifically what you like about what they are doing or have done. Use Super Praise Second Hand Praise Avoid over praise or use false praise.

Guidelines for Praise Giving Grades K - 3 Praise all homework effort. Find lots of specific things. Quiet time in the evening helps. Use Super Praise or second hand praise Grades 4 – 6 Each night praise your child about some specific accomplishment. Use Super Praise or second hand praise Grades 7 - 12 Praise often. Use Super Praise or second hand praise

Super Praise One parent praises the child for her behavior. This parent praises the child in front of the other parent The other parent praises the child

Second Hand Praise One parent tells another adult, but not necessarily if front of the child. However, the child should be in ear shot. This can be done, but phone, or just by talking.

You will learn how to … set up a proper study area. get homework finished on time. motivate your children with praise. motivate your children to do their own work. communicate assertively. back up your words with actions. work with your child’s teacher provide study skills to improve your child’s performance in school.

Motivate your child to do their own work. Beat the Clock Spinner Homework Contract Trade Off Chunking Only one hour worth of work.

You will learn how to … set up a proper study area. get homework finished on time. motivate your children with praise. motivate your children to do their own work. communicate assertively. back up your words with actions. work with your child’s teacher provide study skills to improve your child’s performance in school.

Say what you mean and mean what you say. Have clear and firm expectations. Use the broken record technique It is their choice as to what consequences. Be consistent. They will test you. Be determined.

You will learn how to … set up a proper study area. get homework finished on time. motivate your children with praise. motivate your children to do their own work. communicate assertively. back up your words with actions. work with your child’s teacher provide study skills to improve your child’s performance in school.

Don’t do it Alone Call for back-up. Get a tutor. Get a homework coach Talk to the teacher Talk to school.

You will learn how to … set up a proper study area. get homework finished on time. motivate your children with praise. motivate your children to do their own work. communicate assertively. back up your words with actions. work with your child’s teacher provide study skills to improve your child’s performance in school.

How to help to Study Reading Math Spelling Test Written Answers Long Term Projects Test Taking Tips

Reading Read to your child Have them read to you. Have them see you read for fun. Take turns reading. Ask questions about the reading

Math Flashcards Number holes Estimate time License plate math Recipes Patterns Travel miles

Spelling Monday – make flashcards Tuesday – Practice spelling the words in unique ways Wednesday – spelling games with flashcards Thursday – practice test. Flash card games – spell them and put them in piles – correct/ incorrect

Written Answers Use highlighters to highlight direction words Use different colored highlighters to highlight important information. Note cards Use the computer Inscribe for them

Long term projects Make a plan Break the project into parts Schedule due dates to the different parts. Post schedule on the refrigerator.

Study Tips Pace yourself Make up silly sentences, words, etc. Make up raps/songs Chunk it, putting things together that make sense Make it personal. Get a good night’s sleep Only study for a short time.

You learned how to … set up a proper study area. get homework finished on time. motivate your children with praise. motivate your children to do their own work. communicate assertively. back up your words with actions. work with your child’s teacher provide study skills to improve your child’s performance in school.

Test Taking Tips Get a good night’s sleep Relax Eat a good breakfast Be confident

Before - Test Taking Tips Ask the teacher, what kind of test to expect and what specific information will be on it. Eat a good breakfast Get plenty of rest the night before Use memory aids to learn a series of facts. Go with a positive attitude

During the Test Read all directions first. Don’t spend too much time on any one question. True/False Test Words such as Never, always, all, means the statement is False.

During the Test Keep trying, don’t give up. Think, concentrate When unsure what to do, ask the teacher If you are still unsure, make your best guess. Check your work Do your own work I can do this

HOMEWORK Homework can also bring parents and educators closer together. Parents who supervise homework and work with their children on assignments learn about their children's education and about the school.  Homework is meant to be a positive experience and to encourage children to learn. Assignments should not be used as punishment. 

Homework Tips Homework should not bring tears to your child’s eyes … . . . Or to yours. It should be …

… a time that will allow you to do other family things that are fun. Autumn Family Fun