| I am the oldest of 10 kids and one thing that my | | | | whether it takes a certain amount of time" ( |
| mother has always found difficult is getting | | | | Links for Learning, an online homework help site, |
| homework done at night. Wow, can you even | | | | states, "Walking into a family of 4's living room in |
| imagine trying to get all your children ranging in | | | | big, bold letters a sign reads, "HOMEWORK IS A |
| age of Kindergarten to High School to sit down | | | | BUMMER". Can you relate? It is so interesting how |
| and do homework at the same time. It was | | | | homework can be the cause of such annoyance |
| impossible and truly my mother had to have | | | | in the household. Many parents after a couple of |
| outside help to complete the task. She hired one | | | | years just give up and figure their student can |
| of the local High School students to come over in | | | | handle the daily tasks by themselves. As a |
| the afternoons and sit with one child while she sat | | | | teacher it is so frustrating having the students |
| with another child. In all reality, people do not have | | | | come to class without their homework done. If |
| problems as bad as this getting homework done | | | | you listen to the teachers in the teachers lounge, |
| each evening. The simple think they can handle | | | | parents would be mortified to find themselves as |
| everything and the homework will get done in due | | | | topics of being non-caring parent" ( Just read |
| time. Homework is essential in a student's | | | | these articles and remember that these are |
| academic progress and I have found some helpful | | | | specialists who know the importance of |
| hints in saving time and hassle | | | | homework. |
| As a teacher I have found that homework really | | | | Don't feel frustrated by the overwhelming |
| is an important process that students NEED to | | | | information about after school homework. It is |
| learn to do after school. It is amazing how many | | | | really a simple thing to do. Just make sure that a |
| parents disregard homework all together and | | | | schedule is designed after school that will place a |
| don't get it done. That drives teachers insane, | | | | specific time for homework. Try not to schedule |
| especially because it always seems like the | | | | after school activities until the specified time has |
| students who don't do their homework have the | | | | been accomplished. When in doubt, get outside |
| lowest scores overall in the classroom. A good | | | | help. One of the BEST resources is the computer |
| idea to verify this information is to go into any | | | | and instant homework help. We have found Links |
| classroom for a week and record the progress of | | | | for Learning, to be the most helpful site available |
| students who do their homework compare to | | | | for students and parents. This site focuses on the |
| those that don't. It is truly amazing how the | | | | student and gaining success rather than pushing |
| simple effort of after school work really | | | | for the big bucks. I would suggest signing up for |
| reinforces the ideas in the classroom. That | | | | their homework help package (which grants |
| information should be enough to start homework | | | | unlimited access to a live, certified tutor) and use |
| as soon as your student gets home, but some | | | | it as much as possible! |
| parents still need more persuasive information. | | | | Really the main importance of homework is |
| For the skeptics of homework, here are a few | | | | setting the study skills and reinforcing the ideas in |
| important things to remember. Dr. Sam Goldstein | | | | discussed that day. As I have suggested above, |
| states, "Homework is important because it is at | | | | my mother was amazing at enabling her children |
| the intersection between home and school. It | | | | with proper study skills. What are proper study |
| serves as a window through which you can | | | | skills? Plan and simple... learning to do after school |
| observe your children's education and express | | | | homework. That one skill will ensure academic |
| positive attitudes towards your children and their | | | | success in the years to come. One of the |
| education. As children grow older, homework and | | | | reasons that I decided to get my Master's was |
| the amount of time engaged in homework, | | | | the idea of wanting to gain more education. When |
| increases in importance. For teachers and | | | | I finished my Bachelors in 1999, I honestly didn't |
| administrators, homework is a cost effective way | | | | know what to do. I started teaching elementary |
| to provide additional instruction in practice" ( A | | | | school, but that just didn't give me enough |
| Government site explains, "Government guidelines | | | | learning experience. Early in my life, my mother |
| on homework give a broad indication of how | | | | had taught me the importance of wanting to learn |
| much time pupils might reasonably be expected | | | | which thrived in our after school homework |
| to spend on homework. The guidelines emphasize | | | | sessions. Do whatever it takes to make sure |
| the importance of homework and how it helps | | | | your students' homework is getting done. This |
| your child to learn, rather than focusing on | | | | one skill will impact their entire future. |