The document provides strategies and advice for helping students with homework challenges, including establishing a consistent environment and routine, using incentives to motivate students, ensuring appropriate teacher expectations, and tips for specific subjects like reading, writing, and math. It also discusses identifying the root causes of homework struggles and when to seek additional support from professionals.

1. Nicole Bradeen, MEd Esther B. Clark School, Academic Program Manager Betsy Everett Esther B. Clark School, Lead Teacher, Grade 7 homework and suicide success

3. II--Five strategies for success

4. III--Subject-specific strategiesAgenda

5. What are your child’s homework challenges?Let’s hear from you…

6. He says he’s finished it, but he hasn’t. She waits until the last minute. He says he doesn’t have homework. She melts down with math. He works for hours yet can’t keep up. She’ll come up with any excuse. Common Homework Excuses

7. He and his friends copy each other’s answers. He never brings his books home/forgets things on the bus all the time! He’s so tired after swimming practice that I put him straight to bed. She forgets homework at school. Says he doesn’t need to study, “already knows everything” on the test Common Homework Excuses (cont.)

9. Be a detective: pinpoint challenges

12. Routines

13. Incentives

14. Teacher expectations

16. Use a planner (more on this later)

17. Remember that you and your child may have different approaches Environment

18. Where are you going to fit HW time in each day? Make sure the student has a planner for homework, long-term assignments and questions Your child’s routine may differ from yours-be mindful of your child’s needs. See handouts for ideas Routines

19. Use incentives to get “buy in” What motivates your child? Every kid is different. Tie incentives to difficulties your child is having Provide incentives for: Amount of time spent working on a project Completion of a part of the project Discuss rewards with teacher Understand how your working style may differ from your child’s Incentives

20. Snacks: nuts, M&M’s, cereal Highlighters, stickers, pens Breaks: “If you work for 15 minutes, then you get a break. If you complete work, we can do X together…” (see handout) Use a “bank” or “chart” to fill in per assignment or time Ideas for Incentives/Rewards

21. Teacher Expectations Length of time spent doing homework? Test preparation? Types of assignments (short term, long term)? Policies around grading & completion of assignments. What are expectations for parents (see more on next slides)?

22. What message are you sending? Model and encourage balance Time for breaks, friends, family and physical activity Is your child’s schedule manageable? Understand expectations from teacher: Sign a planner? Communicate via email or phone? Parent Involvement Big Picture

23. Parent Involvement Your Role: Provide consistent environment & routine when possible. Be aware of over scheduling. Provide encouragement. Notice where your child is challenged. Set limits. Don’t rescue your child. Balance high expectations with what is realistic for your child. Be mindful of extreme words with your child (i.e. failure)

24. Process: Have child begin homework independently so that teacher can see what child can do independently Be available to answer questions and clarify assignments. Be mindful of giving your child answers. Instead ask them to use notes, resources, etc. Communicate challenging areas to teacher. Allow child to make mistakes as a growth opportunity. Parent Involvement (cont.)

26. Reading comprehension

27. Reading journal prompts

28. Writing

30. 5 Ws: Who, What, Where, When, Why Visualize and verbalize ideas. Use graphic organizers. Using technology to support student See handouts for more information Writing Strategies

31. Visual tools: graph paper, number lines, calculators & multiplication charts Ask your teacher about acronyms, e.g., four step problem solving plan, PEMDAS, long division loop Encourage your child to show their work, step by step. Math Strategies

32. Khanacademy.org (lesson plans for many different types of lessons) The Math Teacher’s Book of Lists, Muschla The Reading Teacher's Book of Lists, Fry Funmathgames.com Scholastic.com Eduplace.com Your child’s teacher Resource List

33. Evaluation/screening, e.g., dyslexia screening Individual/family therapy Skill building groups Parent coaching Specialized tutoring or assistive technology Other parent education classes (see handbook) Options for Help

34. “Tell me, I forget.Show me, I remember. Involve me, I understand.”-Carl Orff

35. Greater concerns? Consult a professional Call 650.688.3625