Homework Help: Strategies, Time Management and Organization Skills

Homework Help: Strategies, Time Management and Organization Skills Presented by: Lorena Chavez Elementary School Counselor: CJ Morris/Walnut EL/ Maple Hill

DO ANY OF THESE SOUND FAMILIAR? • Nightly battles over when homework will be done • “Forgetting” to bring his/her homework assignments home • Your child rushes through homework assignments • Your child takes forever to finish his/her assignments • Your child insists he/she is able to do homework while watching TV, talking on the phone, etc • The first time you hear about a project is the night before it is due…and it isn’t finished

GOAL: To help make homework time with your child less challenging and more productive by sharing strategies for promoting academic success by: 1. making it a positive experience 2. motivating your child 3. teaching organization skills and time management

WHY IS HOMEWORK IMPORTANT? • Homework affects achievement at school. • Homework teaches your child responsibility. • Link between home and school.

MAKE STUDY TIME A POSITIVE EXPERIENCE Be interested: • Make time to talk about school and learning in family conversations. • Attend school activities, get to know their teacher & friends. This shows your child that his home and school are a team! • Praise your child’s efforts. • Hug or Pat on the shoulder will increase impact. • Give praise (do not add “but, and, or”). Children often remember the last part of the sentence and not the beginning. Help build their self-esteem. Display good work ****Never use study time as a punishment!****

MAKE HW TIME A POSITIVE EXPERIENCE….HOW? • Homework time=Study time • Set up a proper STUDY AREA: Let them have a sense of control. • LOCATION? Choose a well-lit location together. • DO NOT DISTRUB sign • HOMEWORK KIT

Homework Survival Kit *Pencils *Sharpener *Crayons *Paper *Scissors *Glue *Note cards *Hole punch *Pens *Ruler *Eraser *Timer *Tape *Stapler

POSITIVE EXPERIENCE & STUDY SKILLS: • Reading • Read to your child • Listen to your child read • Library • Build a library of their own • Kid magazines • Encourage your kids to write stories of their own • Turn off the TV and read together • Discuss questions, connections, using mental images while reading

HOMEWORK TIME: Grades K-3 • Check your child’s backpack/homework folder each day • Check for necessary materials in kit • Announce when study time begins • Read directions together and help child get started by doing first problem together • Be available for help • Praise and encourage Grades 4-5 • Check to see if child is doing HW during study time • Encouragement: Emphasize your confidence in child’s ability to do the work on their own. • Be available and give assistance only after he/she makes and effort on their own. • Look over completed assignments.

MOTIVATION IDEAS: • Beat the Clock: “If you get your work completed with mostly correct answers before the timer goes off, then you get…. • Spinner “Each time you complete your work, you earn a spin.” • Chunking: Complete small amounts at a time with breaks in between. • Token system (use more frequently at the beginning.) • Celebrate accomplishments: Encourage your child to have fun such as eating a snack, calling a friend, starting an activity or watching a favorite TV show when finished.

SELF-BARGANING & HOMEWORK INCENTIVES

TIME MANAGEMENT“If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.” • Study time must be scheduled into your child’s day. Determine the best time to study. • Select a time when you or another adult will be available. • Try to schedule the same time for all children.

ORGANIZATION SKILLS/TIME MANAGEMENT • Help child check backpack and homework folder and encourage child to get ready for the next day. • Keep notebooks organized. (Missing papers don’t earn A’s) • Conduct a weekly clean-up. Lose the clutter. • Set a good example. • Keep a calendar/create to do list

Set goals and break big tasks into smaller tasks=success=confidence. Set deadlines and avoid last minute cramming. ORGANIZATION/TIME MANAGMENT…

WHAT TO DO WHEN YOUR CHILD IS NOT DOING THEIR HOMEWORK: COMMUNICATE CLEARLY & EFFECTIVELY • Make study time a priority. • Tell your child the choice is theirs. • He/she can complete their homework appropriately or have privileges suspended until homework is finished. *Don’t make meaningless threats* • Don’t argue, use the broken record. • Calm, firm, and sit down one-on-one • Keep repeating what it is you want-”I understand but I want you to do your homework right now.” • Avoid being sidetracked • Use the Broken record a max of 3 times and then follow through and “back your words with action.”

YOUR PARTNER AT SCHOOL-THE TEACHER Do not hesitate to contact the teacher when your child is having homework problems. “Team” • If your child CANNOT DO the homework assignment… • Do not step in and do the work for your child. • Send a note and possibly include observations of what happens when your child tries to do the work. • If the problem continues, try to set up a conference. • If your child does NOT BRING HOME assigned work… • Ask the teacher if she/he can sign and date his/her assignments sheet or agenda, or email you assignments.

Summary 1. Location: Having a set location in the house devoted to HW is a key tip. 2. Time: Figuring our the best time to complete HW assignments. 3. Time Management skills: Teach children the proper time management skills, PRIORITIZE 4. Understanding: Having a clear understanding of what the assignment entails is extremely helpful. 5. Praise/Reward: Giving children something to look forward to can be a great motivational tool.

IMPORTANT NOTES: • Consistency is the key to success! • Change is gradual and learning a new habit takes around 21 days. • Thank you for your attention & participation this evening! • Email: lorenachavez@wvusd.k12.ca.us

Homework Help: Strategies, Time Management and Organization Skills