Homework and Motivation

Presentation based on http://www2.ed.gov/parents/academic/help/homework/homew

ork.pdf

Why Do Teachers Assign Homework?

• review and practice what they’ve learned in class

• get ready to build on their knowledge• practice using resources, such as libraries,

reference materials and computer web sites to find information about a subject

• explore subjects more fully than classroom time permits

• integrate their learning by applying

Beyond the Classroom

• Homework allows students to practice life skills such as:– working independently– developing self-discipline– building responsibility– developing time management skills

How much should you have to help your child with homework?

Needs lots of help

Needs a quick check

K5th

Grade

What’s the Right Amount of Homework?

• At Curriculum Night teachers described their expectations regarding homework.

• Typically you can expect students to have add 10 minutes per each grade.– kindergarten should have maybe 10

minutes–fifth grade may have anywhere between 30-

60 minutes

The first step to helping with homework is…

• letting your child know that homework and his/her education is important– be interested and interesting– ask specific questions rather than broad

general questions– your attitude is crucial to their attitude

If you adopt a positive can do attitude your child is more likely to be successful!

Homework Basics

• Scheduling• Location• Organization• Motivation

When is the right time for your child to do

homework?

Scheduling• Kids have been in school all day and maybe not

be able to sit down and work for 30 minutes.• Does your child need a snack first?• Do they need time to run and play?• Does your child do better first thing in the

morning?• Don’t wait too late or your child will be in tears

in which defeats the purpose.

One Strategy for Success

• Plan ahead to allow enough time for homework.– Keep an eye out for long range or re-occurring

assignments.– Break long range assignments into smaller, more

manageable tasks.

Another Strategy for Success

• Schedule smaller amounts of time instead of longer sessions for homework.

• Work 10 minutes, take a break and then do 10 more minutes.

• Make breaks short and use a timer.

Location

• Minimize distractions.• Turn off the TV and mute the phone.• Siblings need to be quiet or if possible in

another room.• Clear a place at a desk or table.• Make sure that everything that they need is

within arms reach.

Organization

• Homework instructions should be written in the agenda or in the homework packet.

• Teach your child to get his/her homework out when he/she gets home and put it in the same place everyday.

• Have your child gather what he/she needs to do homework.

• Have students explain verbally what they are going to do.

When they are done

• Check over the work.• Look at it for completion and ask specific

questions.• If the homework was too difficult, write a note

in the agenda or make a phone call to the teacher.

• Have student put homework away so that it is ready to go the following day.

If on a regular basis, if homework is too hard…

• It’s time to talk with the teacher• Let the teacher know how long

homework is taking and if a particularly type of homework is difficult.

• Come up with an action plan with the teacher.

Motivation is all about knowing your

child and helping your child set goals!

It’s hard for children to be motivated about school and

homework if they can’t connect it to a goal.

Motivation

• Help your child set reasonable goals to work towards completing homework independently.

• Reward the homework habit as well as homework completion.

• Offer specific praise for their efforts.

Rewards

• Don’t have to be things.• Can be as simply as a hug or extra one on one

time with a parent or grandparent• Needs to be valued by your child• It’s a long time until graduation- begin with

small rewards• The biggest reward is having confident kids

who succeed in school!

Using Charts or Incentives• If you are trying to break bad homework

habits, consider using a chart.Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Total

Points

Spelling 2 assignmentsReading 10 minutes

Scouts

Read 10 minutes

Math Practice sheet.

Spelling Practice

Soccer

Before bed reading 10 minutes.

Before bed reading 10 minutes.

You decide what is a reasonable reward for the effort.

Final Thoughts

• Don’t do your child’s homework. • Guide your child don’t tell them

answers.• Realize that teaching your child to

do homework is a process.

Thank you for coming!

• Please fill out the survey.• If you have suggestions for other

topics that you would like more information on, please include that on the bottom of the survey.

Sources• http://www2.ed.gov/parents/academic/help/

homework/homework.pdf• Homework Without Tears- Lee Canter