[samscommunity] 7 Ways to Establish Good Homework Habits

MESSAGE FROM ST. ANDREWS MIDDLE SCHOOL:


7 Ways to Establish Good Homework Habits
Get the most out of your child's homework assignments.
By Karin A. Bilich
 
 



Homework not only helps a child learn about school subjects, it is also
one of the first ways kids develop responsibility. Learning how to read
and follow directions independently, how to manage and budget time for
long-term assignments, and how to complete work neatly and to the best
of their ability are skills children need for life. Homework can be
trying for children, but with a little help from Mom and Dad, it can be
a positive learning experience. Here are some ways you can help.


1. Designate a regular place to do homework. This location needs to be
well lit and quiet, without the distractions of the television, other
children playing, or people talking on the telephone.


2. Choose a time every day to work on daily assignments. Some children
do best if they tackle their homework shortly after returning home from
school in the afternoon; other kids may do best if they devote the
after-school hours to unwinding and playing, and do their homework in
the evening. However, some children respond poorly to a dictated study
time, such as 4:00 every afternoon, and may be better off if they're
given guidelines, such as "No video games until your homework is done."


3. Let your child play a role in the setting the rules. Make sure that
you and your child agree on the set time and place, which can eliminate
some of the homework-related dissension between parents and children.


4. Observe your child's homework habits. Is she stuck on a certain task
or is she easily distracted? Does she understand the directions, or is
she making the assignment harder than it really is? Is her studying
interrupted by television, phone calls, or chatting with other family
members? If so, you may need to rethink your homework rules or discuss
these difficulties with her teacher.


5. Don't do your child's homework for her. It's perfectly okay to help
your child get focused and organize her approach to the assignment, but
insist that she do the work herself. Occasionally, you may need to
clarify the directions of the assignment; in those cases, let your child
take a stab herself before offering to help.


6. Give positive feedback. Look over your child's homework on occasion
and praise him about all the things he's doing right. If you do find
errors, don't criticize. Instead, review his work together and try to
pinpoint his area of difficulty.


7. Keep in touch with your child's teacher. If your child is having
ongoing homework problems, such as difficulty understanding what the
assignments are or how to complete them, or if he breezes through them
as though they were no challenge at all, let his teacher know. The
teacher may adjust the assignments so they are more in sync with his
capabilities.
Sources: American Medical Association; Caring for Your School-Age
Child: Ages 5-12 (Bantam 1999)

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St. Andrews Middle School General Information:
School Phone Number:  (803) 731-8910
Fax Number: (803) 731-8913
Principal's Secretary: Mrs. Doctor 731-8910

Principal: 7th Grade Administrator: Mr. Richardson 731-8910
Assistant Principal: 6th Grade Administrator: Dr. Holmes 750-4034
Assistant Principal: 8th Grade Administrator: Ms. Broome 750-4032
School Resource Officer: Deputy Wilson 750-4076

6th Grade Guidance Counselor: Ms. Dunning 750-4030
7th Grade Guidance Counselor: Ms. Shealy 750-4029
8th Grade Guidance Counselor: Ms. Hatcher 750-4036

Curriculum Resource Teacher (CRT): Ms. Miller 750-4031
Attendance Office: Ms. Spencer 731-8912
Database Specialist: Ms. Thomas-Smith 750-4027
Bookkeeper: Ms. Bailey 731-8910 

School Nurse: 750-4028
School Cafeteria: 731-8914  
Media Specialist (Library): Ms. Black 750-4072

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http://sams.rcsd1.org

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