1. Catonsville Elementary
HOMEWORK TIPS
Catonsville Elementary
Ellen Sheppard

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. 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.

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

10. 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.

11. 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.

12. 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.

13. 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.

14. 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
Praise often. Use Super Praise or second hand praise

15. 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

16. 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.

17. 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.

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

19. 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.

20. 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.

21. 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.

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

23. 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.

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

25. 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

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

27. 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

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

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

30. 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.

31. 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.

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

33. 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

34. 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.

35. 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

36. 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. 

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

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