TEN PARENT TIPS FOR HOMEWORK
(especially for 6th-8th grade)

1. STEP BACK ..... remember the object of homework is to develop skills in working independently (for the student, not the parent!)

2. ASSIST, DON'T HOVER ..... your job is to be "on call" in another room and to assist when asked, not to constantly monitor and check that everything is being to come from school. If you are helping too much, you are NOT helping them!

3. PLACE ...... your job is to provide the place, such as a dining room table, where the student can work (bedrooms often are too connected to sleep or to other more interesting things to do and may not be the best place)- As they age, changes may need to be made.

4. PRIORITY .... your job is to emphasize your family's priority to get homework done each day and discuss the best time (usually BEFORE television or videogame time) .... Some kids may need to play a bit before they can settle down.... discuss this and find out what's best for your student.

5. PROVISIONS ..... your job is to provide paper, pencils, tape, poster board, etc. but have a place for your child to write down anything he may need so you're not caught short.

6. ALLOW MUSIC OR NOT ..... some students work much better with headphones and - classical or non-lyric music in the background. This is a personal choice to discuss together, quiet is not always helpful to some people. What worked for you may not work for them.

7. ALLOW BREAKS .... studies show that 30 to 40 minutes of work, then taking a break for IO minutes or so, really helps refresh the brain. So, have your child set a timer to keep track and allow them to run outside and shoot a few baskets, jump rope, or whatever. Let the timer do the "nagging call" back in to work.

8. WATCH FOR OVERLOADS ..... if you sense your child cannot do the homework independently or if it is taking them 3 to 4 hours, please let your C.A. teacher know. Homework can be modified in quantity without sacrificing quality and the C.A. and regular teachers can work together to alter what is needed.

9. WHEN ASKED TO HELP .... your job is mainly to clarify directions with your child, and possibly show them an example to get them started.... your job is not to drag them through each problem. Clarify, then go to the next room to busy yourself.

10. HELP THEM TAKE BITES ..... your job is also to help them break down a large project into bite sized pieces and to guide them in knowing what days they'll be home to work on each step (look at the calendar together and decide days to do each piece, then student can write those plans in the agenda).