Homework Without Tears! Lila Daruty, Assistant Principal, Grant Elementary

JUST LIKE ME! You and your children engage in nightly battles over when homework will be done. Your children rush through homework assignments, with sloppy, incomplete results. Your children “forget” to bring their homework assignments home. You do more of the homework than your children do. Your children take forever to finish their homework assignments. Your children insist that they are able to do homework while watching TV, talking on the phone, and listening to music. The first time you hear about a major project is the night before it’s due...and it isn’t finished.

Homework ▪ District Homework Policy ▪ Parent’s Role ▪ When to contact the teacher

What does the research say? Homework affects achievement in school Homework teaches your children responsibility Homework is the key link between home and school Research indicates that excessive homework may have a negative impact on students' health and well-being.

DISTRICT HOMEWORK POLICY Kinder1 st 2 nd 3 rd 4 th 5 th 10 minutes20 minutes30 minutes40 minutes50 minutes1 hour 10 minutes a day in kindergarten and increases by ten minutes per grade level. *Many teachers ask that students read an additional minutes nightly, for pleasure.

Do’s and Don’ts DO ▪ Discuss the assignment to be sure they understand ▪ List out assignments; prioritize; have your child choose the order ▪ Break assignments into sub-tasks ▪ Make sure they have all materials needed ▪ Give breaks ▪ Allow for enough time ▪ Review for accuracy/neatness DON’T ▪ Take over and do it yourself ▪ Make meaningless threats ▪ Argue or bargain ▪ Have inconsistent times/places to complete homework ▪ Wait too long to communicate with the teacher.

MOTIVATE! Create a spinner Marbles in a jar Homework Contract Awards

Each day that you complete all your homework assignments, put a sticker in the square. When you have checked off ___ squares, you will earn a reward. Your reward will be _________________________________________ Parent signature:Student signature: HOMEWORK CONTRACT

Some More ideas! ▪ Make it fun! ▪ Give consistent, specific praise. ▪ Get a study buddy ▪ Play school ▪ Innovate ▪ Chart your child’s learning ▪ Take advantage of technology ▪ Hire a tutor

When it takes a turn for the worst… QUIT! It’s not worth it Tomorrow is new day!

Resources Alternate homework ideas for kids who need the stretch! Khan Academy Explore the District websites: