Homework. It’s a word that elicits groans from parents and students alike. There’s too much homework, there’s too little homework, it’s too hard, it’s too easy--almost everybody has homework questions and complaints.
1. Can you spell out the most important things I need to know about homework?
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There’s a lot more to homework than just sitting down to get it done. There are the values you impart to your child, as well as how available you are to help them. In fact, from your attitude to your homework zone, you could say there’s an ABC’s of homework.
2. This seems like a lot of homework. How much homework is too much?
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When your child complains about homework even 15 minutes can seem like too much homework. Although the typical rule of thumb is that your child shouldn’t have more than 10 minutes per grade, there are other things to factor into the too much homework debate. For instance, it may be that your child has the right amount of homework but is a struggling learner, trying to complete it in a timely manner.
3. Isn’t this really just busywork, not homework?
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When you see your child pull his homework out of his bag, you may roll your eyes and think “Really, another worksheet? Why does this teacher give such busywork?” Not all worksheets are busywork, in fact,there are valid reasons that practice sheets can be effective homework.
However, by the same token, not all homework is necessary, especially if your child has mastered the skill being practiced. Knowing the difference between effective homework and busywork is a must for parents.
4. C’mon, is homework really necessary?
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Whether or not homework is necessary is a hotly debated topic amongst parents and teachers alike. Most people fall squarely into one camp or the other, but a few take a more cautious approach.
Maybe the more appropriate question isn’t whether homework is necessary, but rather why it’s being assigned and what’s being accomplished by doing it. The NEA feels that homework should be given for one of three purposes: practice, preparation or extension.
5. Where can my child get homework help online?
Sometimes even the best of us find ourselves either without the time or the knowledge to help our children with their homework. When you find that you’re no longer up to helping with math, language arts or other subjects, you may want to turn to the Internet for assistance. Not all sites provide valid information or are safe for children to use. It’s important to visit reputable sites like Discovery Education, National Geographic, NASA and others.
6. What do teachers expect from us parents when it comes to homework?
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Kids know that their teachers expect them to do their homework carefully and pass it in on time. Parents don’t always know that teachers have expectations for them regarding their child’s homework. Among the top 5 things parents can do to help with homework are to read the homework policy carefully and to check over your child’s finished assignments.
7. We were too busy last night for homework. Is that a good homework excuse?
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Whenever you put the word “excuse” with the word “homework,” you’re treading on shaky ground. An excuse is typically a quick reason why something didn’t get done, not a fully-reasoned explanation. Of course, there are some excuses that are valid but, for the most part, being busy with extracurricular activities is one of the top 4 homework excuses that won’t usually work.
8. What are some good homework habits to help my child be more disciplined than me?
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Knowing that you want your child to do things differently than you did is a great start to instilling good homework habits. Showing your child that homework is important to you by working alongside her and setting aside a time and place to do homework are also among some of the best homework habits to develop.
9. The kitchen table is starting to overflow. How do we set up a homework space?
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Truthfully, it’s not where you set up your child’s homework space that matters as much as making that space his own. So, if your kitchen table isn’t working for homework anymore, find a light-filled, quiet space that your child can help you set up with all the supplies he may need.
10. Our homework space isn’t quite right. How do other families set theirs up?
So, the kitchen table didn’t work and the next place you’ve tried didn’t seem quite right either? Maybe it’s time to see what other readers have to say about setting up a homework space. Then, once you get it right in your house you can share with us how it went!