| Students
need to know their parents think homework is important.
Here are 10 tips from the U.S. Department of Education
on how to increase family involvement in children's
learning.
1. Set a regular
time. Agreeing on a regular time for homework
helps kids finish assignments. If outside activities,
such as sports or music lessons, interfere too
much with homework, your child may have to drop
some of them. Homework should be the first priority.
2. Pick a place.
A homework corner should be fairly quiet, have
lots of light and school supplies. A green plant,
a brightly colored container to hold pencils or
some "artwork" taped to a wall can make
study time more pleasant.
3. Remove distractions
and discourage telephone calls during homework
time, except for those to classmates about an
assignment. While some kids work well with quiet
music - loud noise from a radio or CD player is
not OK.
4. Provide supplies.
Collect pencils, pens, eraser, writing paper,
an assignment book and dictionary. Other helpful
items include: glue, stapler, paper clips, maps,
calculator, pencil sharpener, tape, scissors,
ruler, thesaurus and an almanac. Keep these items
in or near the student's homework corner. Computers
are a great learning tool and can be used for
word processing, on-line reference resources,
and educational programs and games to sharpen
a child's skills.
5. Set a good example.
Children are more likely to study if they see
you frequently reading or writing. Encourage activities
that support learning - like educational games,
a library visit, trip to the zoo or a museum.
6. Turn off the TV.
Too many kids spend more time watching TV than
they do completing homework. Most parents find
that students get more homework done when television
time is limited.
7. Monitor assignments.
At the start of each school year, ask about the
school's homework policy. What kinds of assignments
will be given? How long should it take to complete
them? Does the teacher want you to be involved?
8. Look over completed
assignments. While checking homework may be more
difficult with teens, show your interest with
questions about assigned school work, when it's
due and if help is needed.
9. Make it easier
for your kids to avoid last minute cramming, by
working out a schedule with them on what is needed
to complete an assignment and how much time it
will take.
10. Give praise.
People of all ages respond to praise, especially
kids. Frequent encouragement from parents, such
as "Good first draft of your book report"
or "You've done a great job" can go
a long way toward motivating a student to complete
assignments. |
