Homework Tips
School Nights
Families should schedule a regular homework time each “school night”. Some people will say that should be Sunday night through Thursday night, others will say Monday night through Thursday night. Each family should look at the family calendar for the week and schedule homework around other events. For instance, if baseball practice is Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 6:00-7:30, you probably want to schedule homework time before baseball on those days. You might consider posting a calendar or sign that shows what time homework is so that everyone is clear on the time.
How Long?
Parents often wonder how much time their children should spend on homework each evening. The general rule of thumb is 10 minutes for each grade in school. That means 10 minutes in first grade, 20 minutes in second grade, 30 minutes in third grade, and so on. Set a timer for each child so you can keep track of their time.
No Homework?
What do you do if your children don’t have homework one night? Have them do something school-related for the normal amount of time. They can make up their own math problems and solve them, read, do research, practice spelling, or practice math facts. Some parents purchase workbooks for students to work with if they don’t have homework. Having students do some sort of school-related work every school night will encourage them to get their homework done. Students will be less likely to “forget” that they have homework if they know they’re going to have homework time anyway.
Location, Location, Location
Each child should have a special place for homework. Some families have students do their homework in their rooms, others have them do it at the kitchen table. Wherever they are, children should have all the supplies they need so they don’t spend their time finding them. The study place should be quiet or have soft instrumental music so children can study.
How Much Should I Help?
Parents often wonder how much they should help with homework and there isn’t a clear-cut answer. The answer falls somewhere between none at all and doing the assignment for them. As a parent, you need to discover your child’s frustration level in each subject area and then help them with their homework right before they reach the frustration level. Your child may do really well with reading and you may want to push them without helping them. On the other hand, your child may struggle with math and you would want to help him/her before he/she gets frustrated. Try asking your child questions about the work he or she has done and ask more questions to get them headed in the right direction. Never do a homework assignment for your child – he or she misses the entire learning opportunity.
Families should schedule a regular homework time each “school night”. Some people will say that should be Sunday night through Thursday night, others will say Monday night through Thursday night. Each family should look at the family calendar for the week and schedule homework around other events. For instance, if baseball practice is Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 6:00-7:30, you probably want to schedule homework time before baseball on those days. You might consider posting a calendar or sign that shows what time homework is so that everyone is clear on the time.
How Long?
Parents often wonder how much time their children should spend on homework each evening. The general rule of thumb is 10 minutes for each grade in school. That means 10 minutes in first grade, 20 minutes in second grade, 30 minutes in third grade, and so on. Set a timer for each child so you can keep track of their time.
No Homework?
What do you do if your children don’t have homework one night? Have them do something school-related for the normal amount of time. They can make up their own math problems and solve them, read, do research, practice spelling, or practice math facts. Some parents purchase workbooks for students to work with if they don’t have homework. Having students do some sort of school-related work every school night will encourage them to get their homework done. Students will be less likely to “forget” that they have homework if they know they’re going to have homework time anyway.
Location, Location, Location
Each child should have a special place for homework. Some families have students do their homework in their rooms, others have them do it at the kitchen table. Wherever they are, children should have all the supplies they need so they don’t spend their time finding them. The study place should be quiet or have soft instrumental music so children can study.
How Much Should I Help?
Parents often wonder how much they should help with homework and there isn’t a clear-cut answer. The answer falls somewhere between none at all and doing the assignment for them. As a parent, you need to discover your child’s frustration level in each subject area and then help them with their homework right before they reach the frustration level. Your child may do really well with reading and you may want to push them without helping them. On the other hand, your child may struggle with math and you would want to help him/her before he/she gets frustrated. Try asking your child questions about the work he or she has done and ask more questions to get them headed in the right direction. Never do a homework assignment for your child – he or she misses the entire learning opportunity.