Tips for Helping Students with Homework

As they move through the high school years, many parents and students notice that the amount of homework increases as students prepare for the workforce, college or university. Homework helps students to:
* review and practice what they covered in class,
* prepare for the next day’s lesson,
* learn to use resources such as libraries and web sites to access information,
* work independently,
* develop work habits and study skills, and
* to manage time and meet deadlines.

In addition, homework can help create greater understanding between families and teachers and provide opportunities for increased communication. Here are some tips for developing good study and homework habits:

Set a Regular Time for Homework

* Setting up a consistent schedule for homework helps students to organize their time and finish assignments. The best schedule is one that works for your child and your family, and should take into consideration the amount of homework that has been assigned and your child’s extra-curricular activity schedule.

Pick a Place

* Your child’s homework area doesn’t have to be fancy. It should have good lighting and be fairly quiet. In some cases, it may be best for the child to be close to the parent for monitoring and assistance.
* Make sure all the materials that your child needs (dictionary, calculator, pencil, eraser, tape, scissors, pencil crayons, magazines etc.) are in the homework area, so that time is not wasted every night gathering these items.

Remove Distractions

* Turn off the TV, MSN, radio and CD player if they interfere with your child’s ability to concentrate. Discourage your child from making and receiving telephone calls during homework time.
* If you live in a small or noisy household, try having other family members take part in a quiet activity during homework time.

Identify Appropriate Resources

* More and more subject areas are relying on use of the Internet. The school library has computers that are available to students some days before and after school, and also at lunch. The St. Catharines public libraries also have computers and the Internet available to students.

Set a Good Example

* Show your child that the skills s/he is learning are an important part of the things s/he will do as an adult. Let them see you reading books, newspapers and computer screens; writing reports, letters, e-mails and lists; using math to balance your cheque book; doing other things that require thought and effort.
* Students are more likely to complete homework successfully when parents monitor their assignments. How closely you need to monitor your child depends upon their age, how independent they are and how well they do in school. Encourage your child to clarify assignments and due dates in their organizer prior to bringing them home.
* Don’t do your child’s homework for them. Completing assignments for your child won’t help them to understand and use information. It also won’t help them to become confident in their own abilities.
* Check their agenda daily to ensure that all homework has been completed.

Give practice tests

* Help your child prepare for a vocab test by saying the words as they write them. Have them correct their own test as you spell each word. Make up a sample math test based on questions in their notebook or textbook, or review information in their notes.

Talk about the Assignments

* Talking and asking questions can help your child to think through an assignment and break it down into small, manageable parts. Here are some questions to ask.
* "Do you understand what you’re supposed to do?"
* "Do you need help in understanding how to do this assignment?"
* "Do you have everything you need to do the assignment?"
* "Does your answer make sense to you?"
If they don’t know the answers to these questions, they might seek more direction from their teacher.

Assisting Parents

If your child needs extra help, consider the following:
* Most teachers are available for extra help (before or after school or sometimes during the lunch hour). You or your child should approach the teacher to find out the times they are available.
* Math help is available most days in room 213 from 3:00 - 3:30 p.m..
* Senior students are available as peer tutors (for deserving students) through the guidance office.
* Attend a Parent Council meeting to help continue the tradition of excellent Parent/Student/Teacher communications at the Collegiate.
* Attend a Parent-Teacher Interview to discuss strategies and support the link between home and school.
* Sign your child up for the Literacy Preparation Classes available after school and on Saturdays.
* Read our announcements or checkout our many clubs and sports to find out what extracurricular activites might suit your child. Having something "fun" to look forward to each day can go a long way!