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Homework: How to Make it Work

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In the education world, homework has become a controversial topic—one in which people are greatly divided. Proponents of homework typically praise the fact that it allows students the opportunity to practice skills, self-check, and reflect on the learning. Conversely, opponents believe that homework has become “busy work,” an unnecessary or burden on young learners. Whatever your stance, most can agree that parents are the likely homework liaisons between young learners and the assignments that frustrate them. Parents are the ones to wipe the tears and pick up the pieces (sometimes literally). Thus, it is not unusual for parents to feel helpless at times when homework is getting the best of their children.

When you are feeling the pressures of homework at home, remember some of these key points:

  • Homework is not your job as the parent. Yes, you should remind, encourage, assist, and guide. However, it is to no one’s benefit that the parent handhold the child through the work. The point of homework is to assess the knowledge or skills acquired during class. If you are the one prompting answers or pulling teeth to get an assignment completed, your child is not getting the most from the learning opportunity.

  • The responsibility piece is huge when it comes to homework. On those evenings when your teen announces a surprise poster is due the following day, remember that this is not your responsibility to go on a late-night Staples spree. Will this frustrate your child? Yes. But encouraging your procrastinating adolescent to “figure it out” will end up being a greater learning moment than if you had scurried into super posterboard mom mode. Just be sure that your method and involvement as a parent matches your child’s age and genuine abilities.

  • Encourage your child to get into the habit of writing down the full details of an assignment during class. If your child or teen is unaware of the exact terms of the assignment, or its due date, the whole assignment can get lost in translation. It is not unusual that, when in a hurry, students will jot down a vague idea of the assignment, with little to no detail about how to complete it. This sloppily-scribbled, nondescript “worksheet” will not be much help when homework time begins. Instruct your child to write down the homework as specifically as possible, i.e., the page number, website, number of questions, chapters to read, or due date.

  • Stress the importance of the attempt. This is key when an assignment is becoming an overwhelming frustration for your child. Crying over geometry homework at the kitchen table will do little to motivate your child. If this happens, encourage your child to complete what she can, and explain the rest to her teacher privately. At this point, it is not about the homework points or credit. It is about the need for clarity before she can master the content or skill. Especially for the younger learners, completion for the sake of credit is not always worth the hours of frustration. Instead, send a quick email to your child’s teacher explaining the effort that your child put into the assignment. Homework is, after all, indicative of the child’s knowledge of the topic. The teacher will be appreciative of the information, as it will help to guide instruction and re-teaching strategies.

Procrastination: Student Strategies for All Ages

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Most teachers would admit that every child and teen exhibits procrastination from time to time, regardless of grade level. For some unfortunate souls, procrastination is simply ingrained. So what is the problem with it? Well, when we procrastinate, the task at hand does not diminish or disappear—no matter how much we may hope. Instead, the anxiety of the looming “to-do list” grows, as does our desire to avoid the work at all costs. How can we combat this procrastination tendency?

  • Teach students to assess the situation thoroughly before they decide to evade the work. Of course, everyone, including our students, would rather not have a list of homework assignments or projects to complete. However, the nature of education involves work outside of the classroom—plain and simple. Instead of setting the task aside right away—an out-of-sight, out-of-mind strategy—prompt students to investigate the necessary steps that will be required to complete the assignment. This sort of review strategy forces students to acknowledge the amount of work that the project or paper will entail. The more prepared they are to tackle the task, the less likely they will be to set it aside for lengths of time.
  • Encourage students to jump right in. This does not necessarily mean that they have to rush or complete the task in one chunk of time. Instead, they simply need to scratch the surface and begin. Starting something that they would rather avoid is half of the battle. Once they have begun, the urge to procrastinate is set aside.
  • Remove distractions while working. This is especially difficult for adolescents who would prefer to be glued to their devices while working. Advise students to set aside time to work without any smartphones, television, etc. All it takes is one chime of a notification to derail a work session, further instigating procrastination. A quiet work space, removed from distractions, allows for full focus, which is the best way for students to get the most out of their work time or study sessions.
  • Praise or reward students who complete or submit work prior to the deadline. Whether we are talking first graders or seniors, students respond to incentives. This can mean that the first group to submit work receives their grades first. Or, give praise, small rewards, or extra recess when students exhibit proactivity. Again, the point is to incentivize students so that they are eager to tackle the assignment, as opposed to setting it aside for the last minute.
  • When push comes to shove, stress completion over perfection. The point is obviously to dissuade procrastination. However, there will be times when students simply cannot get the ball rolling in time. When they do put off the work, explain the importance of completing and submitting the work, even when it is sub-par. Of course, keeping high expectations is important. However, the need to perfect something at the last minute is not only stressful, but unnecessary. Use these moments as a learning experience by highlighting the fact that students can avoid this feeling of disappointment or discouragement by planning and working ahead of time in the future.

 

Homework Ideas for Teachers to Try

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Too often, homework assignments get a bad reputation for being tedious, repetitive, or unnecessarily lengthy. As educators, we aim to provide work that is rigorous, purposeful, and engaging. The last type of task we want to assign is an irrelevant or disconnected assignment used solely as “busy work.” Homework is meant to allow time to practice and reflect on the skills or concepts that we have been teaching in class. Of course, assignments cannot always engage every student on every level. However, a few different strategies can ensure that, as much as possible, students bring home tasks that hold their attention, assess their skills, and promote reflective practices concerning their learning styles.

Provide opportunities for student choice as often as possible

This could mean that students are given the option to choose from a list of assignments, all with the same objectives or learning goals. The idea behind this is simple: the manner in which students exhibit their learning is not what matters. Providing options that boost engagement can often enhance learning. Assignment options can range from a paragraph or collage to a PowerPoint or Adobe Spark page. With a wide range of possibilities, students are able to play to their strengths. A tech-savvy student and an artistically-inclined student can both exhibit knowledge of the content or skill, but produce different representations of their knowledge. This allows students to focus on the same learning goals and participate in the same instruction, while allowing them to differentiate the product that they create.

Permit students to opt-out of homework they have mastered

Along with student choice should be an opportunity to “opt-out” of certain assignments—for instance, a student that aces an algebra practice test may be given the option to opt out of the night’s homework involving the same concepts. This idea supports the notion that busy work not only lends itself to boredom, but also has the potential to lower motivation and determination. If a student has proven mastery of a concept, rote or redundant practice is unnecessary.

Create a weekly or monthly calendar of assignments

This not only helps teachers with their planning, it also assists students with organization and proactivity. The calendar acts as a visual or digital reminder of assignments that are coming down the pike. Be sure to include the date that the task was assigned, as well as the due date. Double check that a week’s worth of assignments is balanced and reasonable—i.e., something that students can realistically accomplish in the timeframe given. Encourage students to cross off tasks as they are completed. Also, allow students to submit work prior to the due date. This way, students that struggle with disorganization or misplacing papers can rid themselves of the assignment before it disappears.

Hold a homework session during lunch

This can be as frequent as needed, but once a week is a good start. Allowing students to have a quiet place to work is a benefit to them and you, as well. By working through an assignment with students, teachers are better able to gauge the effectiveness of their instruction. A lunch session also allows students to ask questions or voice confusion over a particular homework task.

Homework Strategies for Easy and Effective Practice at Home

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Now more than ever, students are experiencing astounding amounts of work outside of school. Instead of an hour of homework per night, many students and parents are now seeing an hour of work per content area each night. Depending on grade level, this may mean as much as 5+ hours of homework on any given school night. With so much time going to homework, it is important to make sure that work time at home is as stress-free as possible. So, how can parents help to alleviate homework woes? It is as easy as 1-2-3.

Praise effort. Much of the stress affiliated with homework revolves around the ideal of homework perfection. Yes, correctness is important, and students need to be ready to exhibit mastery when it comes to major projects and assessments. However, the everyday homework assignments that come home are likely for practice—not perfection. Instead of hours of struggling to arrive at the correct answer for every question on every assignment, encourage the honest effort put forth. The importance of homework is to provide opportunities to practice and seek clarity for new concepts or skills. Students should feel allowed to make blunders or experience difficulty when completing homework so that they are prepared to ask questions, analyze errors, and reflect on their practices when they arrive back in the classroom.

So, if you find your child in tears or stressed over the presumed need to arrive at the correct answer for every homework assignment, remind him that practice involves making mistakes. Errors not only help young learners to develop grit and determination, but they also allow students to begin to understand themselves as critical thinkers.

Speak with teachers about homework issues—and encourage your child to do the same. When homework, projects, and exams seem to be weighing down the dinner table, chances are the stress is weighing on your child as well. When this happens, reach out to your child’s teacher(s) about your concerns. Send a quick email or a note to school expressing how hard your child worked on the assignment, but that is was not possible to fully complete the work. Again, effort is the key—and teachers will understand that the student truly attempted the work. Homework is meant to be a scaffold or support, one which provides students with opportunities to practice skills. But, if the assignments are too lengthy, redundant, or complicated, students are likely to shut down or break down at home—neither of which is beneficial to academic success.  

Remove distractions—all of them. Parents must set the tone for effective homework time. Allow children to choose a comfortable, quiet area to settle in and complete assignments. Make sure that their workplace is well-lit and contains everything that they will need to work in terms of supplies and work space. Remove distractions such as iPads, cell phones, television, etc. Parents can set a good example by picking up a book and reading quietly while children complete homework.

Providing short breaks between assignments or lengthy projects will help as well. Energy and focus start to lag when working for long stints of time. Encourage your child to take a short 5-10 minute break every 45 minutes or so. Eating a little snack and grabbing a bottle of water while taking a brisk walk around the block will help to rejuvenate and refocus a child who has been working steadily.

Creating a checklist adds to the gratification of completing assignments at home. Much like the to-do lists that we all create, children can also benefit from the checklist in multiple ways. A checklist ensures that children know exactly what must be completed in a given block of time. It is a studious practice—one which helps to keep youngsters organized and promotes self-advocacy. Not only that, but creating a list of assignments is a simple method of boosting intrinsic motivation—crossing off tasks as they are completed is a great way to acknowledge the hard work.

How to Keep Up After an Absence: Elementary Part 1 of 3

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The winter weather, combined with the holiday season, tends to create a notable increase in student absences from school. Whether families are traveling over the holidays, vacationing, or even getting hit with bouts of the flu, this time of year means that, for one reason or another, students are missing more school. So what can be done to ease the stress of returning to school after a long absence? For elementary-age students, parents play a key role.

Not surprisingly, elementary-age students need a little adult monitoring and management when it comes to extended absences from school. Often times, it is the parent or guardian who decides when a child needs to be out of school to begin with—children do not schedule their own vacations, nor do they make the final call when they are ill. Therefore, the best advice for elementary school children is directed towards parents.

Be proactive

Of course, some occasions simply do not allow for planning—the stomach flu is not going to afford a family the opportunity to plan ahead for a multi-day absence. However, vacations, family visits, or religious observances are things that can and should be planned for. Emailing the school a week or two prior can make all the difference when it comes to prolonged absences.

Take work home

Ask the teacher(s) if your child should take work outside of school prior to the absence. This will allow for a head start on the missed assignments, which will also reduce stress or anxiety for your child. Encourage your child to complete the work in small bits during any downtime while absent.

Utilize technology

If your child is currently reading a novel in class or for a research project, seek an audio version before the absence. In fact, many audio books can be found for free on youtube. A set of headphones and a tablet are all that’s needed to keep your child from lagging behind in his or her schoolwork. Audiobooks act as a way to occupy children while travelling, as well. Consider balancing out their school text by bringing a second audio book just for pleasure.

Prioritize the workload

Hopefully, elementary-age students are not seeing loads of work at this point in their education. However, statistics show that many children are completing 1-3 hours of work each night. This could mean staggering amounts of make-up work if absent for a week. As a parent, you know what your child can and should be doing in terms of homework. Be realistic about the completion and try not to have your child overdo it. If work has piled up to an unrealistic amount, choose the most important assignments or readings—then have a conversation with your child’s teacher. Make-up work should not be seen as a punishment for prolonged absence.

Have your child keep a journal

If teachers are unable to provide make-up work with short notice, have your child complete a daily journal of his or her trip. This not only provides your child with a little bit of academic work each day—it also acts as a keepsake from a family vacation or holiday. The journal does not have to be written—consider allowing your child to keep a video journal or a typed diary during the trip.

Homework: A New Approach for Teachers

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It should come to no surprise that students and parents are feeling the stress of mounting homework assignments. It is not uncommon for elementary schoolers to complete a few hours of homework every night. The subject of homework and how much is too much has become somewhat controversial, especially recently, when we are seeing children diagnosed with depression and anxiety at an alarming rate. Elementary students in America today are stressed, overworked, and over-scheduled. Regardless of how families may contribute to the “over-scheduled” child, we educators must be cognizant of the reality that homework for homework’s sake is hurting our students. It appears that, after much consideration and research, many schools are changing their stance on the implementation of nightly homework. That said, how can we change our own visions of what homework is meant to accomplish?

Let’s take a look at some alternative perspectives on how homework could be implemented differently in today’s public schools.  

Some schools are doing away with homework altogether. The argument behind this movement is that students are wildly overworked, over-tested, and overly stressed. Since even elementary schools have shifted their instructional focus from socialization, imagination, and creativity to a heavier emphasis on academics, it makes sense to cut homework from the agenda. Consider this—students as young as kindergarten and first grade are seeing more curriculum-based instructional time than ever before. Coloring, sharing, napping, and imaginative play are largely things of the past, replaced by advanced curriculums and content-specific lessons. Since the school day has become more grounded in more difficult school work, schools are forgoing the concept of homework in an effort to balance out the rigor of classes.

Other schools are adopting a similar plan for greatly reduced homework. Again, the argument is that the school day is tough enough—jam-packed with more difficult instruction and classwork. Students are encouraged to complete work outside of the classroom only when extra practice is necessary. This alleviates the “homework for homework’s sake” issue that both parents and students push back against. For example, teachers may provide additional optional worksheets, practices, or websites to peruse for students who would like extra practice with a concept or skill.

Many teachers are becoming proponents of the exit card or entry card in place of checking homework assignments for grades. These small, graded assignments at the opening or closing of a lesson act as check-ins, much like homework. Instead of students taking work home to exhibit their understanding, teachers issue brief formative assessments, like an exit card, to establish whether or not students have mastered the concept on their own. This is just one method which replaces the need for homework without compromising the teacher’s ability to assess student progress.

Another method that teachers are utilizing in place of formal homework assignments is to use class time to complete essays or projects. The push for this comes from many perceived advantages. Workshopping papers during class time allows teachers to have a more hands-on approach to helping students with their writing. This also provides useful opportunities for students to practice peer editing and revision. In terms of group projects, class time to work allows collaborative opportunities without the stress of planning to meet outside of school, which can be difficult for students who cannot drive. Finally, classwork allows students the opportunity to ask questions and receive help in real time. With homework, assignments that are difficult or confusing add another layer of frustration, since help is not always immediately available at home.

Homework Help: Easy and Effective Advice

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Homework: some parents and educators are huge proponents of it—others, not so much. The pros and cons of homework have long been debated; however, its role in your child’s education can be very influential. If homework is a reality at your child’s school, I am sure that you have dealt with the tears, tantrums, and stressors related to the sometimes daunting task. So, how can we manage to make homework less intimidating and more effective? Below are some problem-solving strategies for your child’s homework woes.

Insist that your child keep an agenda, homework calendar, or planner. Whatever you choose to call it, it is the first line of defense against homework stress. Schools typically issue a planner to each student at the start of the school year, but if this is not the case at your child’s school, be sure to purchase one. Writing down homework during class is an imperative step for ensuring that homework is completed or attempted. Not only will writing it down help with memory of the assignment, but it also ensures that you as a parent will know what the assignment is, when it was issued, and when it is due.

On a similar note, be sure that you encourage your child to write down the full details of the assignment. Often in a hurry, students jot down a vague idea of the homework with little detail. This is not much help when homework time begins. Instruct your child to write down the homework as specifically as possible, i.e., the page number, website, number of questions, or chapters to read.

Stress the importance of effort. We have all experienced those ugly moments when frustration takes over. I (not-so-fondly) remember shedding plenty of tears at the kitchen counter over factor trees…and geometry…and algebra…and precalculus homework. Needless to say, math caused a lot of stress in my household growing up. Many families can relate to this struggle. That said, remember to express the importance of simply attempting a complicated assignment. Completion for the sake of credit is not always worth the hours of frustration. Instead, when homework hits the fan, send a quick email to your child’s teacher explaining the effort that your child put into the assignment. Homework is, after all, about the practice of the skills taught at school.

Stay organized with homework assignments. This means not only helping your child organize and keep track of different tasks for their many subject areas, but helping her to organize her time for lengthy or multi-step projects. When more complex or involved assignments come home, create a realistic schedule or timeline for completion. This will help your child begin to build time management skills and help avoid the weekend meltdown. When large assignments are pushed off, the procrastination creates unnecessary stress, which can make the assignment nearly unmanageable. Avoid this by modeling your own time management strategies—show your child different methods of completing lengthy tasks in a timely, organized fashion.

Problem Solving: At-Home Tips

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You’re a parent. You know that, when it comes to your child, one of your major roles, if not the most important role, is “fixer” or “solver of problems.” Especially in the lower and middle grades, children and teens lean on mom and dad for anything and everything. This is, of course, one of the more comforting aspects of childhood—this notion that someone is always right behind you, or beside you, or perhaps even ahead of you paving the way. The key to problem solving for your child is to demonstrate the process of problem solving so that he can begin to anticipate and solve his own problems.

This transition is meant to be a smooth and steady process. Just as you wouldn’t put your child on a bike for the first time and push her off on her own, you wouldn’t abruptly throw 100 percent of the responsibility to solve a problem on your child either. This is where “problem solving training wheels” come into play. Relinquishing control one step at a time allows your child to get a taste of responsibility, self-advocacy, and independence.

So, how can you bring the training-wheel method into your home? Let’s take a look…

Hand over some (most) of the teacher communication. Of course, the amount of responsibility will depend on your child’s age and comfort level with the teacher. Typically, the start of middle school is a prime opportunity for parents to begin to relax on the micromanaging when it comes to teacher communication. Begin by having children handle email correspondence with the teacher when they encounter a problem or question about the classwork or homework. This not only shows children how to correspond or ask clear questions via email, but it reinforces the idea that this is THEIR education—not anyone else’s. Furthermore, teachers greatly appreciate a student’s inquiry because it demonstrates self-advocacy.

Model proactive practices. This not only teaches your child to plan ahead, but it also helps to prevent those last-minute fires that seem to ignite at the worst possible times. Take the almighty ink cartridge, for instance. Waiting until the morning off to print an assignment is just asking for trouble. Instead, help your child by encouraging him to finish assignments in advance so that empty ink cartridges or jammed printers are no longer a possibility. The same goes for projects, field trips, show and tell, etc.—prepare ahead of time to avoid the stress and struggle of unforeseen complications.

Try to avoid interfering with problems in progress (this is not going to be easy…) Again, it’s human nature for parents to want to shield their children from conflict—we’d rather absorb the pain or fix the problem on their behalf. This, however, is not always in the best interest of the child. By swooping in and alleviating the issues for them, children will not learn to manage on their own. Again, this is not to suggest that you leave your child to her own devices when major problems arise; use your judgment to assess how and when your interference is necessary. As difficult as it may be, a “hands-off” approach when dealing with small, day-to-day issues can greatly improve a child’s self-esteem, independence, sense of responsibility, and problem-solving skills.

Ready, set, GO BACK TO SCHOOL!!! Organization Style. Part 1 of 6

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Ready, set, GO BACK TO SCHOOL!!!!

Organization Style

It’s that time again—the back-to-school commercials are in full swing! Backpacks, lunch boxes, clothes, and school supplies are some of the things occupying the minds of parents these days. As the sun sets on summer 2016, it is important to ensure that your child is given every advantage to begin the school year with a bang!

While much focus is put on school supplies and the “necessary” materials, one key element in preparing for a successful year ahead is to put organization in the forefront. And, as they say, practice truly makes perfect—or close to it. Organization applies to a multitude of facets in the educational realm. While all are important, organizing time or “time management” is essential. For example, consider if a student has color-coordinated references, organized notes, and an impeccable outline for a research paper, yet that same “organized” student gives himself Sunday night to complete the final draft of his research paper. All of the prior organization becomes a futile attempt if time was poorly organized.

Organization, specifically time management, is a skill that comes with practice. Even as adults, we sometimes drop the ball by failing to plan ahead accordingly. Here are some tips to ensure that time management makes its way into your household this school year.

Start from the beginning. As we all know, it is much easier to prevent negative habits than to correct them later on. Right from the start, discuss a realistic daily schedule that includes designated homework/reading time, after-school activities, family time, and reasonable sleep/wake times. Of course, be prepared to be flexible when things inevitably come up. But, for the most part, a set schedule will help your child to maintain balance and assuage the stress that comes with cramming.
Model the practice of planning ahead. Especially in the middle and upper grades, projects and assignments become more labor-intensive. With several steps, check-in points, and deadlines, it is easy for students to quickly lose track or get overwhelmed. As with many difficult tasks, showing is more beneficial than telling. Show your child how to organize by breaking down large assignments and setting at home check-in points in advance of the actual due dates. Also, show them how to prioritize more difficult tasks. For example, a five-paragraph argumentative essay is going to need more attention than a vocabulary practice sheet.
Be proactive with organizing your time. It is important to anticipate certain roadblocks to prevent last-minute school stressors. Check the printer for ink before the paper is due; plan for picture day so that the outfit of choice is clean and pressed; pack gym clothes with extra socks so that the morning rush through the dryer can be avoided; email teachers about foreseen absences ahead of time to get any missed work or important information; have a plan for sick days, in which your child has a buddy in the neighborhood to bring work back.

Teaching students how to organize their time is a skill that will prove beneficial throughout their academic and adult lives.

NEED MORE?

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Homework: Transparency is Key

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The many benefits of assigning homework are readily evident to all of us educators. Students are able to practice the skills learned in class on their own; teachers are better able to identify areas of confusion; and parents are able to see the concepts that are being taught in the classroom. Overall, homework is a necessary aspect of education.

The benefits of homework are not always transparent for students, however. Much of the time, the homework announcement is met with groans and eye-rolls. In those moments, there are a few things that I’d like my students to know:

  • The homework that I assign is meant to give you additional practice on the skills that we discussed today. It is not intended to torture you, occupy your evening, or cause you frustration. If this is ever the case, please tell me—because that is certainly not the point of my homework assignments.
  • I do not expect, nor do I necessarily want, your parents to coax you through your homework. If this is happening, it means that I did not adequately prepare you to tackle the assignment. I’d rather you attempt what you can and explain your confusion the following day. It is certainly not your parent’s job to complete your homework—and again, this tells me nothing about what you’ve learned.
  • Homework is also intended to provide students with a grade cushion. While we are certainly not chasing the grade, many of you consider the final grade to be very important. That said, homework provides you the opportunity to pad your grade simply by putting forth effort. This is your chance to show me that you are trying to learn the content.   
  • I do not expect you to achieve 100% correctness on homework assignments. Instead, I’d rather see 100% effort on assignments. A vital aspect of education is work ethic and determination—homework is simply one way to display your intrinsic motivation.
  • Homework is not intended to be “busy work.” Again, the point of homework is to assess comprehension of the skills taught in the classroom. While assignments should not frustrate you, they should challenge you. An assignment should not be mindlessly easy—it should not feel like busy work.  Again, my goal is to assess our progress in class, not bore you to tears or occupy all of your free-time.

While we, as teachers, may never persuade our students to love completing work outside of the classroom, transparency about the purpose of homework assignments is key to getting students to buy in. We should talk to students about homework practices and policies and request their feedback regarding homework frequency and level of difficulty.