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?
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Nightly battles over when homework will be done
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“Forgetting” to bring his/her homework assignments
home
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Your child rushes through homework assignments

Your child takes forever to finish his/her assignments
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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.
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Homework teaches your child responsibility.
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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.
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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
*Crayons
*Scissors
*Note cards
*Pens
*Eraser
*Tape
*Sharpener
*Paper
*Glue
*Hole punch
*Ruler
*Timer
*Stapler
POSITIVE EXPERIENCE & STUDY
SKILLS:

Reading

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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.
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Set a good example.
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Keep a calendar/create to do list
ORGANIZATION/TIME
MANAGMENT…

Set goals and break big tasks
into smaller
tasks=success=confidence.

Set deadlines and avoid last
minute cramming.
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.

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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 SCHOOLTHE TEACHER
Do not hesitate to contact the teacher when your child
is having homework problems. “Team”
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If your child CANNOT DO the homework assignment…
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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…
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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!
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Email: lorenachavez@wvusd.k12.ca.us