HOMEWORK WITHOUT TEARS - Judy Crosby, M.A., NCSP School Psychologist October 26, 2013
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HOMEWORK WITHOUT TEARS Judy Crosby, M.A., NCSP School Psychologist October 26, 2013
EXCUSES, EXCUSES, EXCUSES What we are told by our children
Does this sound familiar? • 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 the stereo. • The first time you hear about a major project is the night before it’s due…and it isn’t finished.
What Research Says “Homework Without Tears” by Lee Canter, is based on the research-supported fact that your interest and involvement are the key to your children’s success in school – and that one of the most effective ways you can be involved in their education is through homework.
Why homework? • Homework affects achievement in school • Homework teaches your children responsibility • Homework is the key link between home and school “Parents’ motivation and support are the most important factors in determining whether a child will do well in school.”
How much homework is appropriate? • The majority of students spend less than one hour a day on homework, regardless of grade level • National PTA recommends 10-20 minutes in first grade and 10 minutes per grade level thereafter.
Homework in SUSD
Grades K-5 Grades 6-8 Grades 9-12
2013-14 Homework/ Homework/ Checks for
Homework/ classwork supports Coursework understanding (which
Coursework learning, but is not represents 20 -30% includes work done
included in of academic grade outside of class)
academic grade
represents no more
Included in than 20% of the
“Characteristics that academic grade
Support Learning”How to Help: Show That You Think Education and Homework Are Important • Set a Regular Time for Homework • Pick a Place • Remove Distractions • Provide Supplies and Identify Resources • Set a Good Example • Be Interested • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RqjIrdrMLtk
How to Get Started Create an environment conducive to doing homework.
Homework Must be done in a proper study area
Proper Study Area Designated place for quiet, uninterrupted time to complete Homework Provide a “Materials Kit”
Homework Survival Kit Grades K-3 • Crayons • Pencils • Markers • Pencil sharpener • Erasers • Glue or paste • Tape • Writing paper • Construction paper • Hole punch • Stapler • Scissors • Children’s dictionary • Paper clips • Assignment book (third graders)
Homework Survival Kit Grades 7-12 • Assignment book • Pencils/pens/colored pencils • Erasers • Markers • Writing paper • Tape • Hole punch • White out • Pencil sharpener • Scissors • Glue or paste • Ruler • Stapler • Paper clips • Index cards • Dictionary/thesaurus • Calculator • Protractor • Rubber bands
HW Completed On Time • HW should be part of your child’s routine • HW should occur consistent • Daily written schedule • Grades 4 and up can create their own HW schedule • Enforce mandatory HW time • Encourage use of a planner
HW needs to be done independently • Do NOT do the work for your children! • Do NOT teach concepts • Khan Academy https://www.khanacademy.org/math/arithmetic/absolute- value/adding_subtracting_negatives/v/adding-integers- with-different-signs • http://connected.mcgraw-hill.com/connected/login.do Use encouragement
Motivation • Motivate with consistent praise • Be specific • Use Super Praise
Motivate for Best Work • Use incentives • Incorporate motivating games • Contract • Awards
Create a Spinner
Dessert
Stay up 15
min. later
Invite a InvitePlay
a game
friend to friendwith
to
spend spendmom/dad
the
the night night
Computer Extra story at
time bedtime
Watch
a TV Go to
show the
parkCreate a Homework Contract
• Each day that you complete all your homework assignments, check off one square.
• When you have checked off ___ squares, you will earn a reward.
• Your reward will be _________________________
________________ __________________
Parent signature Student signatureCommunicate Assertively • Be clear • Be firm • Restate expectations • Do NOT argue
How to back up words with action • Responsibility is on child • Choice is theirs • Don’t make meaningless threats • Be consistent • Be prepared to be tested • Monitor • Communicate with the school
Create a partnership with Teacher • Communicate often • Think ‘partnership’
How to help with homework
• Remember – don’t do the homework for your child
• Discuss the assignments to make sure your child
understands what they are supposed to do
• List out assignments and prioritize
• Make sure your child has the materials from school
• Break tasks into subtasks
• Have your child decide on the order* of assignments
• Allow for enough time
• Provide breaks
• Review assignments for either neatness or accuracy**Know the expectations for your child Explore the District website http://susd.schoolfusion.us Access textbooks for games, tutor help and forgotten assignments http://connected.mcgraw-hill.com/connected/login.do
Study Skills - Reading • Model reading for pleasure and for information • Read to your children • Listen to your children read aloud • Use the library • Give a gift subscription to a magazine • Encourage your child to write stories of their own
Help with Long-Range Planning Activity menus Plan/Chunk
Long-Range Planner
Name_________________________ Date_________
Assignment_____________________ Due Date_____
Step 1 _________________________ Date to be Completed
_________________________ _____________
Step 2 _________________________ Date to be Completed
_________________________ _____________
Step 3 _________________________ Date to be Completed
_________________________ _____________
Step 4 _________________________ Date to be Completed
_________________________ _____________Help Your Child Study for Tests • Determine what the test will cover • Organize all study material • Schedule time for studying • Write important information on index cards • Review homework and class notes • Review study questions, past quizzes and tests • Generate sample questions
BIRD BY BIRD
“Thirty years ago my older brother, who was ten years old
at the time, was trying to get a report on birds written that
he'd had three months to write that was due the next day.
We were out at our family cabin in Bolinas, and he was at
the kitchen table close to tears, surrounded by binder paper
and pencils and unopened books on birds, immobilized by
the hugeness of the task ahead. Then my father sat down
beside him, put his arm around my brother's shoulder, and
said, 'Bird by bird, buddy. Just take it bird by bird.'"
Anne Lamott – “Bird By Bird: Some Instructions in Writing and Life”References Canter, Lee and Hausner, Lee, Ph.D., “Homework Without Tears: A Parent’s Guide for Motivating Children to Do Homework and to Succeed in School,” 1987. Dawson, Peg, Ed.D, NCSP, National Association of School Psychologists, NASP Toolkit: Practical Resources at Your Fingertips, “Homework Survival Guide: A Parent Handout.” Dolin, Ann, M.Ed. –“Homework Made Simple: Tips and Tools and Solutions for Stress-Free Homework,” a YouTube Video entitled “How Parents Can Help Their Kids with Homework,” Sept. 10, 2013. Lamott, Anne, “Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life,” New York, Anchor Books, 1995. NEA Reviews of the Research on Best Practices in Education: Research Spotlight on Homework
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