Homework Tips

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Homework Tips!

• The Myth of Laziness
• Mel Levine, MD

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Cultivating Restoring Output

• Strategies of a Model family
• Family took part in extensive conversations about
  what went on at school that day.
• While in the car, they talked no radio!

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• Children were permitted
• after-school activities only
• 2 -3 days a week. The rest of the afternoons
  were on their own free to brainstorm, be
  creative, pursue interests.
• Homework hours were from 645-900. No TV,
  music, IMing nor internet. This
  went for the parents as well!

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• The family took day trips and vacations together.
  They made a conscious effort to have part of the
  vacation include a meaningful educational
  component.
• The children knew that their parents not only
  loved them, but respected and admired them.

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Parenting That Promotes Output

• Provide productive models.
• Take a sincere interest in your childs work.
  Allow them to teach you!
• Reinforce and praise output.

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• Reward productivity not grades. How many
  assignments were turned in???
• Undertake a collaborative project.
• Design and maintain an appropriate study space.

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Setting up and Maintaining a Students Study Area!

• Drawers, trays boxes should be used to store
  items. These should be labeled.
• The desk surface and chair should be kept neat at
  all times. Parents need to do this for the child!

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• As few visual distractions as possible.
• Bookcase for books only.
• A desk calendar for scheduling and working out
  time lines.

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• A computer should be conveniently located at a
  good height without taking up all the desk space.
• A comfortable site for reading other than the
  bed!

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• Arrange for the house to be as quiet as possible!
• Set up and enforce consistent work times.
• Emphasize time management. Use a desk calendar or
  chart.

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• Limit TV watching and other passive activities.
• Document time spent and level of output.

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Parent as Homework Consultant!

• Help the child work out a schedule or time line
  for the work BEFORE starting it.
• Share in brainstorming WITHOUT taking it over!
• Assist in finding and arranging needed materials.

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• Assist with self-testing and help with
  proofreading or quality control.
• Show an interest in the subject.
• Break down work into steps or components.

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• Make sure the area is appropriate for brainwork!
• Be close by to answer questions and offer
  encouragement.
• Set up appropriate breaks from work.

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• For more information contact
• Patty Shipman, School Psychologist
• Island Park Elementary School
• Patty_shipman_at_misd.wednet.edu