Keeping up on homework

Homework has always been a part of my childhood education. Spelling words, essays, shoe box projects and current event articles. Just recently there have been questions if homework is counter productive and if it’s beneficial or not. Some schools don’t push homework and others think it’s important. I don’t think there is a right or wrong answer, but there are pros and cons to it.

Pros:

• Students will eventually get homework and have to learn to organize their time wisely
• Sets up students for success in upper grades
• Gives students time for more practice on subjects they need work in
• Parents can see if their child is struggling through their homework

Cons:

• Some homework is just busy work
• Tough on parents to get the child to do it
• Homework has been a struggle in our house. I dread it just as much as the kids, but we have found a few ways to keep up with the homework.

Keeping items of homework in the car
A lot of families have after school activities, so homework is tough to get done. We keep the kids spelling words, items of homework and pencils in the car. We practice in the car while driving around town. Multitasking at it’s finest!

Everything readily available
Set up a homework spot. Make sure it’s full of supplies so you are not searching for pencils, erasers or scissors.

No distractions and get straight to the point
When we get home we put our stuff away, grab a snack and get going on homework. If we start to relax or do something else it’s really hard to reel the kids in and make them do work. All screens have to be off and most of the time I have to sit with them. (It’s not the best but it’s the only thing that works for my kids.)

Make lists and spread out the work for the week
If your kids have spelling test or something thats due on Friday, spread out the work through out the week. Scrambling on Thursday night is the worst!

Older siblings help!
This I really need to work on, but if I could master this it could be a lifesaver. I have 4 kids all different ages and the older ones could defiantly help with homework.

Check-in system
Your student may be older and can do their homework on their own but sometimes it’s best to check in with them. Make sure the work is done and completed correctly. I know several times my kids have said “My work is done. I know how to do it all” ,but once I check it there are sometimes items not done correctly or homework is not even done!