When Daily Homework Time is a Struggle
- Check to see that your child starts homework on time
Get the routine started by reminding your child about Daily Homework Time until your child is able to start Daily Homework Time without a reminder. Have your child get into the routine of taking our their Binder Reminder and supplies first so they have an action plan. Older children will learn how to be responsible for watching the clock themselves. Once Daily Homework Time has begun give it a few minutes, then drop in and see that homework is underway. Do not hover.
- Check to see that your child finishes all work during Daily Homework Time
When Daily Homework Time comes to a close, it’s a good idea to take another quick look at your child’s work. Are the assignments complete? Neatly done? If yes, give your child a hug and words of praise. If not, talk with your child to find out what the problem was and how it can be corrected.
When you care enough to check on your child’s progress, you are telling your child how important it is to do homework—and that you care about homework even if you can’t be home during homework time.
- When you can’t be home during Daily Homework Time
If you are able to, give your child a call at the start of Daily Homework Time. You can find out if your child is doing homework and give a welcomed hello at the same time. Also, you can clear away any small roadblocks your child might perceive to be in the way (i.e., siblings being noisy, can’t find a book etc.).
If you can’t call, have your child leave homework and their Binder Reminder out for you to look at when you do get home. If the work is completed, you’ll know that your child was productive.
- Help for Speeders and Forgetters
Does your child speed through assignments, resulting in messy and incomplete work? Does your child forget to bring assignments home altogether? Make sure that your child is still taking part in their entire Daily Homework Time—even if they “finish everything” or “don’t have homework” or “can’t remember” their assignments they should still be required to stay in their study area and
- Read for AR
- Look up books they are interested in for AR
- Review assignments and notes from their classes—have them highlight parts that are unclear and write questions they can ask their teacher for clarity
- Organize their binders, folders, backpack, etc.
- Create a list of supplies they need replenished (somehow all those pencils, pens, and supplies you purchased always manage to disappear..???)
- Update their calendar/schedule with school events, extra curricular activities, tests/quizzes, long-term assignments, projects, etc.
- Check their class websites and Aeries (grades)
- Go on Aeries to write down their missing assignments and: work on them, email their teachers about them, look for them, etc.
- Create flashcards, rewrite messy notes, do practice questions, redo/revise low performing assignments