Homework is supposed to be an additional opportunity to practice and sometimes extend a skill that you have learned in class. Homework provides necessary practice. Like anything, the more you practice the better you become.
Here are a few tips and resources for making your homework experience less stressful and more productive:
- Set a regular time AND place for homework. Choose a place such as a desk or kitchen table where you can focus.
- Keep it quiet during homework time. Soft music can help some students concentrate – but loud music or TV can be very distracting. Turn cell phones to off or vibrate. Keep conversation to a minimum.
- Keep supplies handy. An old shoe box or even a gallon-sized Ziploc bag can be used to hold supplies such as pencils, erasers, a pencil sharpener, markers, crayons, scissors, glue stick or a ruler.
- Don’t be afraid to take short breaks - stand, stretch, play a quick game of Simon Says, do some jumping jacks or even set the table for dinner. Adults need breaks from their work, so do students.
- Communicate with your teacher. Don’t be afraid to ask questions about the homework. That’s why they’re there. It’s okay to say that you don’t understand it and ask them to explain it.
- Whenever possible, try to make homework fun! You can act out a story problem or plan that science project together with a friend or family member.You can even make up make a game to learn facts (ex. addition facts, the names of the states, etc.)
Written by Vikki Coppola, WCPSS teacher. |
