This is the last in a series of blog posts about homework based on a
question I received. Today's topic: helping at home.
Q: My elementary school child is experiencing trouble meeting
homework obligations. Please give me some suggestions for helping my
child be successful with homework.
A: Developing good homework
habits in the elementary grades is important to future success in
school. Here is the next in a series of tips for homework success:
~ Be available to help clarify directions, check answers, suggest
problems which need to be reworked, and encourage neatness and good work
habits. Avoid giving your child too much help, or providing the
answers to difficult problems. Your child’s teacher will want to know
if your child is struggling with a concept, and providing too much help
may give the teacher the impression that your child has mastered a
concept when he really hasn’t.
Nothing is more upsetting
to a child, or more frustrating to a parent than to have successfully
completed homework assignments not arrive at school the next day. To
help prevent this, encourage your child to carefully pack his backpack
at the end of the homework session and double-check that all assignments
and materials are included. Find a spot to put backpacks near the
front door, or coat closet so they will be easily spotted on the way to
school in the morning.
Setting up simple routines such as these
early in the school year will get your child off to a successful start,
and homework time will become the good learning experience it is
intended to be.
Tip # 1: Homework Q&A: Assignments
Tip # 2: Homework Q&A: Using a Planner
Tip # 3: Homework Q&A: Finding a Homework Spot
Tip # 4: Working with the Teacher
Copyright 1998 Irene Taylor. Copyright and other intellectual
property laws protect these materials. Reproduction or retransmission of
the materials, in whole or in part, in any manner, without the prior
written consent of the copyright holder, is a violation of copyright
law. Contact the author to obtain permission for republication.
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Homework Q&A: Working with the Teacher
This is the fourth in a series of blog posts about homework based on a question I received. Today's topic: working with the teacher.
Q: My elementary school child is experiencing trouble meeting homework obligations. Please give me some suggestions for helping my child be successful with homework.
A: Developing good homework habits in the elementary grades is important to future success in school. Here is the next in a series of tips for homework success:
~ Check with your child’s teacher to find out the amount of time homework should be taking each night. Try to set aside that amount of time as the “Homework Time” on a nightly basis. If your child has fewer assignments, the remaining time may be spent studying for an upcoming test, working on a long range project, or reading a library book. If your child knows that 30 - 45 minutes will be spent on school related activities each night, he will be less likely to try to rush through assignments, or to skip them altogether. If your child is taking significantly more time to complete homework, talk to his teacher.
Tip # 1: Homework Q&A: Assignments
Tip # 2: Homework Q&A: Using a Planner
Tip # 3: Homework Q&A: Finding a Homework Spot
Copyright 1998 Irene Taylor. Copyright and other intellectual property laws protect these materials. Reproduction or retransmission of the materials, in whole or in part, in any manner, without the prior written consent of the copyright holder, is a violation of copyright law. Contact the author to obtain permission for republication.
Q: My elementary school child is experiencing trouble meeting homework obligations. Please give me some suggestions for helping my child be successful with homework.
A: Developing good homework habits in the elementary grades is important to future success in school. Here is the next in a series of tips for homework success:
~ Check with your child’s teacher to find out the amount of time homework should be taking each night. Try to set aside that amount of time as the “Homework Time” on a nightly basis. If your child has fewer assignments, the remaining time may be spent studying for an upcoming test, working on a long range project, or reading a library book. If your child knows that 30 - 45 minutes will be spent on school related activities each night, he will be less likely to try to rush through assignments, or to skip them altogether. If your child is taking significantly more time to complete homework, talk to his teacher.
Tip # 1: Homework Q&A: Assignments
Tip # 2: Homework Q&A: Using a Planner
Tip # 3: Homework Q&A: Finding a Homework Spot
Copyright 1998 Irene Taylor. Copyright and other intellectual property laws protect these materials. Reproduction or retransmission of the materials, in whole or in part, in any manner, without the prior written consent of the copyright holder, is a violation of copyright law. Contact the author to obtain permission for republication.
Monday, May 21, 2012
Embrace a Spineless Book
This month's reading challenge in the My Little Bookcase Reading Adventure is Embrace a Spineless Book. What is a spineless book, you may ask? According to the Little Book Adventure site, "For the purpose of this project, when we use the term ‘spineless book’, we are referring to film, play or television adaptations."
This is the perfect activity to bring many great books to students - and have a great time as well. The challenge this month is to read a book to your class or children that has been the inspiration for a film or play. It is fitting that The Lorax is used as an example - a book that I use with my students each year. With the new movie version just our, this book has been given a new lease on life - but it really is a classic! Be sure to include it in your project.
There are many books that have been inspirations for films. There is a list at the My Little Bookcase site. Be creative when searching for film versions - visit Netflix, the book's own website or search online for movie clips and trailers as well.
The steps for this challenge are easy:
1. Choose a book and read it to your class.
2. Show your class the film version - or arrange to attend a screening or the play version - a great class trip.
Simple, right! There are many suggestions for ways to discuss books and their respective film versions. Additional ideas can be found here.
So - go ahead and give this challenge a try. Then share your ideas and your students' reactions here and at the Little Book Adventure site as well. But hurry - this challenge ends on May 31.
Original copyright 2012 Irene Taylor. Permission to republish in print or online must be granted by the author of this blog in writing.
This is the perfect activity to bring many great books to students - and have a great time as well. The challenge this month is to read a book to your class or children that has been the inspiration for a film or play. It is fitting that The Lorax is used as an example - a book that I use with my students each year. With the new movie version just our, this book has been given a new lease on life - but it really is a classic! Be sure to include it in your project.
There are many books that have been inspirations for films. There is a list at the My Little Bookcase site. Be creative when searching for film versions - visit Netflix, the book's own website or search online for movie clips and trailers as well.
The steps for this challenge are easy:
1. Choose a book and read it to your class.
2. Show your class the film version - or arrange to attend a screening or the play version - a great class trip.
Simple, right! There are many suggestions for ways to discuss books and their respective film versions. Additional ideas can be found here.
So - go ahead and give this challenge a try. Then share your ideas and your students' reactions here and at the Little Book Adventure site as well. But hurry - this challenge ends on May 31.
Original copyright 2012 Irene Taylor. Permission to republish in print or online must be granted by the author of this blog in writing.
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Homework Q&A: Finding a Homework Spot
This is the third in a series of blog posts about homework based on a question I received. Today's topic: a homework spot.
Q: My elementary school child is experiencing trouble meeting homework obligations. Please give me some suggestions for helping my child be successful with homework.
A: Developing good homework habits in the elementary grades is important to future success in school. Here is the next in a series of tips for homework success:
~ Most elementary grade students need the consistency of a specific place to do homework each day. Depending upon your child, this may be a desk in his own room, a quiet place within sight of a parent, or right at the kitchen table where you are readily available to oversee the homework time. Wherever you and your child decide upon, be sure it is a quiet place and free from distractions such as the phone, TV, or noisy siblings. Also, be sure that you have supplies such as pencils, pens, paper, markers, dictionaries, rulers, etc. nearby and handy, so that the homework time isn’t interrupted by searches for needed materials.
Tip # 1: Homework Q&A: Assignments
Tip # 2: Homework Q&A: Using a Planner
Copyright 1998 Irene Taylor. Copyright and other intellectual property laws protect these materials. Reproduction or retransmission of the materials, in whole or in part, in any manner, without the prior written consent of the copyright holder, is a violation of copyright law. Contact the author to obtain permission for republication.
Q: My elementary school child is experiencing trouble meeting homework obligations. Please give me some suggestions for helping my child be successful with homework.
A: Developing good homework habits in the elementary grades is important to future success in school. Here is the next in a series of tips for homework success:
~ Most elementary grade students need the consistency of a specific place to do homework each day. Depending upon your child, this may be a desk in his own room, a quiet place within sight of a parent, or right at the kitchen table where you are readily available to oversee the homework time. Wherever you and your child decide upon, be sure it is a quiet place and free from distractions such as the phone, TV, or noisy siblings. Also, be sure that you have supplies such as pencils, pens, paper, markers, dictionaries, rulers, etc. nearby and handy, so that the homework time isn’t interrupted by searches for needed materials.
Tip # 1: Homework Q&A: Assignments
Tip # 2: Homework Q&A: Using a Planner
Copyright 1998 Irene Taylor. Copyright and other intellectual property laws protect these materials. Reproduction or retransmission of the materials, in whole or in part, in any manner, without the prior written consent of the copyright holder, is a violation of copyright law. Contact the author to obtain permission for republication.
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Introducing My New Homework eBook
I have just published my newest ebook, Helping with Homework, available now at Smashwords.
This ebook takes a look at the idea of homework and offers some ways for teachers, students, and parents to make the most of it and use it to their advantage. It provides ideas for students and parents on how to approach homework, ideas for teachers on how to assign homework, and tips on doing homework, for both students and parents.
There are also some links to online homework resources within each chapter, and a section on Homework Help sites online.
Be sure to see my blog post series about homework, too:
Copyright 2012 Irene Taylor.All rights reserved.
This ebook takes a look at the idea of homework and offers some ways for teachers, students, and parents to make the most of it and use it to their advantage. It provides ideas for students and parents on how to approach homework, ideas for teachers on how to assign homework, and tips on doing homework, for both students and parents.
There are also some links to online homework resources within each chapter, and a section on Homework Help sites online.
Be sure to see my blog post series about homework, too:
Copyright 2012 Irene Taylor.All rights reserved.
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Homework Q&A: Using a Planner
This is the second in a series of blog posts about homework based on a question I received. Today's topic: using a planner.
Q: My elementary school child is experiencing trouble meeting homework obligations. Please give me some suggestions for helping my child be successful with homework.
A: Developing good homework habits in the elementary grades is important to future success in school. Here is the second in a series of tips for homework success:
~ Encourage your child to check his planner as he packs up his backpack at the end of the school day to be sure all necessary homework materials are brought home. Most teachers have end of the day procedures to ensure that students leave school with the necessary materials. Check with your child’s teacher regarding his or her routines.
Tip # 1: Homework Q&A: Assignments
Copyright 1998 Irene Taylor. Copyright and other intellectual property laws protect these materials. Reproduction or retransmission of the materials, in whole or in part, in any manner, without the prior written consent of the copyright holder, is a violation of copyright law. Contact the author to obtain permission for republication.
Q: My elementary school child is experiencing trouble meeting homework obligations. Please give me some suggestions for helping my child be successful with homework.
A: Developing good homework habits in the elementary grades is important to future success in school. Here is the second in a series of tips for homework success:
~ Encourage your child to check his planner as he packs up his backpack at the end of the school day to be sure all necessary homework materials are brought home. Most teachers have end of the day procedures to ensure that students leave school with the necessary materials. Check with your child’s teacher regarding his or her routines.
Tip # 1: Homework Q&A: Assignments
Copyright 1998 Irene Taylor. Copyright and other intellectual property laws protect these materials. Reproduction or retransmission of the materials, in whole or in part, in any manner, without the prior written consent of the copyright holder, is a violation of copyright law. Contact the author to obtain permission for republication.
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Homework Q&A: Assignments
This is the first in a series of blog posts about homework based on a question I received. Today's topic: assignment pads.
Q: My elementary school child is experiencing trouble meeting homework obligations. Please give me some suggestions for helping my child be successful with homework.
A: Developing good homework habits in the elementary grades is important to future success in school. Here is the first in a series of tips for homework success:
~ An assignment pad is vital. A weekly planner calendar works well, and it will help your child to keep track of long-range assignment, and upcoming tests, as well as daily homework assignments. In shopping for a planner, look for one that is large enough to record assignments in several subjects each day. At first your child may need to be reminded to write all assignments down clearly and completely. You may wish to check the planner often early in the school year to encourage its use.
For more on how to help your child with homework, see my new ebook, Helping with Homework.
Special Homework eBook offer - through May 11!
Copyright 1998-2012 Irene Taylor. Copyright and other intellectual property laws protect these materials. Reproduction or retransmission of the materials, in whole or in part, in any manner, without the prior written consent of the copyright holder, is a violation of copyright law. Contact the author to obtain permission for republication.
Q: My elementary school child is experiencing trouble meeting homework obligations. Please give me some suggestions for helping my child be successful with homework.
A: Developing good homework habits in the elementary grades is important to future success in school. Here is the first in a series of tips for homework success:
~ An assignment pad is vital. A weekly planner calendar works well, and it will help your child to keep track of long-range assignment, and upcoming tests, as well as daily homework assignments. In shopping for a planner, look for one that is large enough to record assignments in several subjects each day. At first your child may need to be reminded to write all assignments down clearly and completely. You may wish to check the planner often early in the school year to encourage its use.
For more on how to help your child with homework, see my new ebook, Helping with Homework.
Special Homework eBook offer - through May 11!
Copyright 1998-2012 Irene Taylor. Copyright and other intellectual property laws protect these materials. Reproduction or retransmission of the materials, in whole or in part, in any manner, without the prior written consent of the copyright holder, is a violation of copyright law. Contact the author to obtain permission for republication.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)