Homework: Keys to Successful Studying
by Heather Quackenboss
My nephew, Henry, learned how to research - in first grade! Every week he went to the library, found a book on a particular state, and answered 10 questions about that state. I remember coloring phonics pages and reading stories in first grade. What is the story on homework today?
“A worthwhile homework assignment should be relevant to what the child is learning,” says Marsha O’Neil, a fifth-grade teacher at West Salem Elementary School who has taught for 18 years. “The child should always understand the purpose of the assignment, whether it is to practice a new skill or deepen the understanding of a new concept. It can also provide practice in the real-life skills of organization and time management.”
Like many teachers today, O’Neil uses assignment notebooks in her classroom. When she gives homework, she makes sure it is not on Wednesday or Friday nights, and that the homework will take students about 30 minutes.
“Family time is important, and so is time for play, for pleasure reading, and for socializing with friends,” O’Neil says.
Develop a Good Attitude
Helping your child to develop a good attitude about homework is an important step for parents. When parents place importance on education and model a love of learning, their children follow in their footsteps. O’Neil recommends that parents discuss with their children what happened at school, and your expectations for homework.
It’s also vital to communicate about your child’s homework with his or her teacher, who wants to do the best possible job of educating your child.
La Crosse parents and educational consultants, Scott and Cathy Tyink believe that, “You may not always agree with the homework or lessons, but you must be respectful and positive. If you want your kids to have a good attitude about homework, you should have a good attitude about homework.”
Create a Consistent Routine
When it comes to homework success, “consistency is key,” says Kristin Larson, director at Sylvan Learning Center in La Crosse. “When children have a homework schedule of when, where, and the order of homework, it becomes routine.”
Cathy Tyink lets her children help determine the best area for homework. She’s also flexible about when her children do their homework to avoid power struggles.
“Kids are pretty intuitive – let them have ideas – if it works for them, it works,” Cathy says. She allows natural consequences and choices to be her children’s guide on homework. She tells her children that homework should be done between 3 and 6 p.m.; if it’s not, they cannot do what they wanted or planned on doing later.
No Screens Allowed
O’Neil, Larson, and the Tyinks agree that homework is not done effectively if accompanied by television, video games, e-mail, IM, or cell phones. With those distractions, homework then does not get the focus it needs.
Larson also suggests that homework be done in an open area of the house, so parents can “check in.”
Limit Your Helping
How much help on homework should a parent give their children?
“The children are my students, not the parents,” O’Neil says. “For the most part, parents don’t need the extra practice. Parents need to offer the supervision, the place, and the time, and the student needs to do the homework.”
Cathy agrees. “My rule of thumb is to try not to do anything for your kids that they can do themselves,” she says. She also helps her children learn how to study by breaking concepts down. “Rather than just saying, ‘do your homework,’ I explain what I have tried, or explain how to do something,” she says.
Express Your Concerns
When should you be concerned about the amount of homework your child has been given?
In elementary school an appropriate expectation is 30 to 45 minutes of homework, Larson says. This should be the maximum amount of homework given in elementary grades, but that amount will increase in upper elementary grades, middle and high school.
Scott Tyink states that an educator’s rule should be 10 minutes of meaningful homework per grade (10 for first grade, 20 for second grade, and so on.) If a child takes an inordinate amount of time to complete homework with a consistent routine, talk to your child’s teacher or doctor, who can recommend evaluations to assist your child in positive learning.
Heather Quackenboss remembers trying to do homework on the bus, in front of the television, and into the wee hours, habits she’ll help her own children avoid!