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Homework helps students establish study habits and reinforces work completed in the classroom. It also helps develop initiative, independence and responsibility and fosters the connection between home and school.

I would like to share some suggestions for making homework a more pleasant and productive experience for you and your child.

· Encourage your child to write assignments in his daily Agenda and bring home necessary materials to complete assignments.

· For long-term projects, have your child note on a calendar or in his Agenda how much time he needs to spend each week in order to complete the assignment in a timely manner.

· In case questions come up later at home regarding assignments, have your child keep phone numbers of responsible students who he/she may call for clarification.

· Provide a study area free from distractions, but located where an adult can conveniently check the child’s progress.

· Plan a homework schedule with your child so that a daily routine is established. Give positive reinforcement and free time when assignments are completed.

· For some students, it may be effective to allow study breaks between homework assignments.

· To encourage independent follow through, it may be effective to have the Child set a timer.

· Have your child review directions for homework assignments with you and obtain clarification if needed.

· If your child is unsure of himself, do several problems or questions together, then encourage she/he to independently follow through on the rest of the assignment.

· Work through problems with your child offering guidance by asking questions instead of merely providing answers.

· If an assignment is difficult and frustration is occurring, have your child complete parts of the assignment, then write a note to the teacher explaining why the assignment was not finished.

· If homework in general continues to be an unpleasant experience, contact your child’s teacher and share your concerns.

· Teachers appreciate feedback from parents so that they can offer additional support or make modifications so that the child can be successful.

Tips on Homework

Homework continues to be the "nagging" issue for teachers, parents and students. Here are seven tips on managing homework by creating an environment at home that puts across the message, "Homework Is To Be Done."

Make the point that education is important and keep making it. Parents need to let children know that this is what they value.
Prepare a work space at home. It can be almost any place, from a lapboard to a drop leaf shelf, to a space with a table, chair and lamp.
Develop with children a schedule for homework and for chores around the house. List these on a calendar, day by day, week by week.
Convey the impression that your children can do the job. If they are hesitant, remind them of previous accomplishments. Be encouraging, and be specific. A child who feels capable will be more willing to try things.
Help children, as needed, to break down a job into manageable steps that can be done one step at a time. This works both for household jobs like cleaning their room and doing big homework assignments.
Pick the time for homework with care. In some homes, early morning is the best time; in others, it's after supper. TV should be off and the telephone off limits.
Reminders to Ourselves: Let's not worry about what we might not have done in the past. Let's start where we are now. This is the way we improve our children's success for now and later...and our own, too.