Homework and
Motivation
Presentation based on
http://www2.ed.gov/parents
/academic/help/homework/
homework.pdf
Why Do Teachers Assign Homework?
• review and practice what they’ve learned in
class
• get ready to build on their knowledge
• practice using resources, such as libraries,
reference materials and computer web sites to
find information about a subject
• explore subjects more fully than classroom
time permits
• integrate their learning by applying
Beyond the Classroom
• Homework allows students to practice life
skills such as:
– working independently
– developing self-discipline
– building responsibility
– developing time management skills
How much should you have to help
your child with homework?
K
Needs lots
of help
5th
Grade
Needs a
quick check
What’s the Right Amount of Homework?
• At Curriculum Night teachers described their
expectations regarding homework.
• Typically you can expect students to have add
10 minutes per each grade.
– kindergarten should have maybe 10
minutes
– fifth grade may have anywhere between 3060 minutes
The first step to helping with homework is…
• letting your child know that homework
and his/her education is important
– be interested and interesting
– ask specific questions rather than broad general
questions
– your attitude is crucial to their attitude
If you adopt a positive can do attitude your child is more
likely to be successful!
Homework Basics
•
•
•
•
Scheduling
Location
Organization
Motivation
When is the right time
for your child to do
homework?
Scheduling
• Kids have been in school all day and maybe
not be able to sit down and work for 30
minutes.
• Does your child need a snack first?
• Do they need time to run and play?
• Does your child do better first thing in the
morning?
• Don’t wait too late or your child will be in
tears in which defeats the purpose.
One Strategy for Success
• Plan ahead to allow enough time for
homework.
– Keep an eye out for long range or re-occurring
assignments.
– Break long range assignments into smaller, more
manageable tasks.
Another Strategy for Success
• Schedule smaller amounts of time instead of
longer sessions for homework.
• Work 10 minutes, take a break and then do 10
more minutes.
• Make breaks short and use a timer.
Location
• Minimize distractions.
• Turn off the TV and mute the phone.
• Siblings need to be quiet or if possible in
another room.
• Clear a place at a desk or table.
• Make sure that everything that they need is
within arms reach.
Organization
• Homework instructions should be written in
the agenda or in the homework packet.
• Teach your child to get his/her homework out
when he/she gets home and put it in the same
place everyday.
• Have your child gather what he/she needs to
do homework.
• Have students explain verbally what they are
going to do.
When they are done
• Check over the work.
• Look at it for completion and ask specific
questions.
• If the homework was too difficult, write a note
in the agenda or make a phone call to the
teacher.
• Have student put homework away so that it is
ready to go the following day.
If on a regular basis, if homework
is too hard…
• It’s time to talk with the teacher
• Let the teacher know how long
homework is taking and if a particularly
type of homework is difficult.
• Come up with an action plan with the
teacher.
Motivation is all
about knowing your
child and helping
your child set goals!
It’s hard for children to be
motivated about school and
homework if they can’t
connect it to a goal.
Motivation
• Help your child set reasonable goals to work
towards completing homework
independently.
• Reward the homework habit as well as
homework completion.
• Offer specific praise for their efforts.
Rewards
• Don’t have to be things.
• Can be as simply as a hug or extra one on one
time with a parent or grandparent
• Needs to be valued by your child
• It’s a long time until graduation- begin with
small rewards
• The biggest reward is having confident kids
who succeed in school!
Using Charts or Incentives
• If you are trying to break bad homework
habits, consider using a chart.
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Spelling 2
assignments
Reading 10
minutes
Scouts
Math
Practice
sheet.
Spelling
Practice
Soccer
Before bed
reading 10
minutes.
Read 10
minutes
Friday
Before bed
reading 10
minutes.
You decide what is a reasonable reward for the effort.
Total
Points
Final Thoughts
• Don’t do your child’s homework.
• Guide your child don’t tell them
answers.
• Realize that teaching your child to
do homework is a process.
Thank you for coming!
• Please fill out the survey.
• If you have suggestions for other
topics that you would like more
information on, please include that
on the bottom of the survey.
Sources
• http://www2.ed.gov/parents/academic/help/
homework/homework.pdf
• Homework Without Tears- Lee Canter