| "body"> | | | | situation? Here is a quick 5 things that you can |
| It seems that in today's day and age we expect | | | | refer to. Add to this list as you get to know your |
| so much from our children in school, in sports and | | | | child's school work, their strengths and |
| at home. It also seems like our children's teachers | | | | weaknesses and their study habits. |
| are expecting a lot from our children both in the | | | | 1. Create a homework area for your child. This |
| classroom and at home. The load of homework | | | | does not need to be in a separate room away |
| coming home with our children seems to be | | | | from everyone but it does need to be in an area |
| growing at incredible rates with each passing | | | | conducive to your child's needs and not allow |
| school year. | | | | them to be distracted while working. |
| So, what is a normal homework load and what | | | | 2. Determine and commit to a set schedule for |
| can us as parents do to help our children be | | | | your child. Each day may be different due to |
| successful in the completion of their homework? | | | | sports or other extracurricular activities. Set a |
| First we need to determine the purpose behind | | | | start time and an end time and stick to it each |
| assigning homework. I have found and to be 2 | | | | day. |
| good sources for information and tips for parents | | | | 3. Prior to beginning the days homework separate |
| on homework and school issues. They state that | | | | the tasks into a) what can be done without help |
| homework serves 4 purposes. | | | | and b) what needs to be done with the help of a |
| 1. Reinforce - when children learn new skills it is | | | | parent. Things like spelling lists will need your help |
| important that they are practiced so as to help | | | | but a sheet of math problems may not. Please |
| solidify the skill in its first stages. | | | | note that there will NOT be any tasks that will be |
| 2. Review and Practice - once children have | | | | c) what tasks my parents should complete. |
| worked on reinforcing new skills they will then | | | | 4. Allow your child the opportunity to work |
| work to master those skills. | | | | independently but not alone. Be available to help |
| 3. Working Independently - when children are in | | | | your child if he becomes "stuck" but do not be in |
| the classroom they have the attention of the | | | | the room being a distraction. Be available to check |
| teacher as they work on assignments. At home | | | | that homework is completed but do not worry |
| parents can monitor their child's progress but also | | | | about making corrections. That is that job of your |
| give them the opportunity to work through things | | | | child's teacher. |
| on their own. | | | | 5. Praise your child for their hard work and for |
| 4. Includes Parents in the Learning Process - | | | | being diligent in completing their assignments. Make |
| parents are encouraged to be an active | | | | a point of displaying their work on the fridge or |
| participant in their child's schooling and learning and | | | | on a special bulletin board. You can also start a |
| participating in homework activities help to attain | | | | school folder where you will put their best |
| that goal. | | | | assignments. At the end of the year look through |
| So, now that we know some of the reasons why | | | | them all to see how much they have |
| teachers assign homework and what purpose it | | | | accomplished and how much more advanced their |
| serves but how much homework is enough and | | | | work is now. |
| age appropriate for our children? Different | | | | Most children do not LOVE doing homework but it |
| educational resources will list variations on | | | | does not have to be a terrible experience. It gives |
| homework time recommendations. This list is the | | | | you as a parent the opportunity to be actively |
| NEA recommendations. | | | | involved in an arena that normally is reserved just |
| Kindergarten - 2nd Grade - should not exceed 10 | | | | for school teachers. If you are at all concerned |
| - 20 minutes each school day. | | | | with the homework, your child's understanding of |
| 3rd Grade - 6th Grade - can handle 30 - 60 | | | | the homework and the success that they are |
| minutes a day. | | | | having in completing the assigned work contact |
| Junior & Senior High School - the amount will | | | | your child's teacher. Parents and teachers are |
| vary by subject. | | | | really a team pursuing the same winning result....a |
| If you do the math on these recommendations | | | | child who is learning!! |
| you will come to the conclusion that about 10 | | | | In my quest for information on homework policies |
| minutes per grade per night would be a good | | | | I found the following... |
| standard to work from. | | | | Students should not spend more than 90 minutes |
| Make sure that you ask the principal at your | | | | per night on homework. This time should be |
| child's school or the superintendent of your school | | | | budgeted in the following manner: |
| system if there is a School Homework Policy in | | | | - 5 minutes looking for the assignment |
| place. If you have concerns about the amount of | | | | - 11 minutes calling a friend for the assignment |
| homework your child is receiving you should | | | | - 23 minutes explaining how the teacher is mean |
| speak with your child's teacher first and if your | | | | and just doesn't like kids |
| concerns are not resolved then speak with higher | | | | - 8 minutes in the bathroom |
| ranking school officials. | | | | - 10 minutes getting a snack |
| If you need more information about homework | | | | - 7 minutes checking the TV Guide |
| guidelines you can contact the National Education | | | | - 6 minutes telling parents that the teacher never |
| Association at (202) 822-7214 or The National | | | | even explained the assignment |
| PTA at (312) 787-0977. | | | | - 10 minutes sitting at the kitchen table waiting for |
| What kind of things can we do with our children | | | | Mom or Dad to do the assignment |
| to make completing homework successfully an | | | | -Enjoy the homework time with your kids!! |
| everyday occurrence rather than a hit-and-miss | | | | |