We’ve all been there … homework chaos! Homework is a hotly contested issue with considerable pros and cons. Some argue that all work should be done at school and that home should be solely for family/free time. Others argue that homework has the ability to reinforce or extend and enrich what is being taught at school. No matter which side of the debate you find yourself on, I hope to share some suggestions that will help your family find a healthy balance.
Homework should feel useful, not exhausting. As teachers we often assign homework in areas that a student may be struggling in. Perhaps memorizing math facts will allow Charlie to more easily solve math problems. Maybe Olivia would benefit in her writing skills if she expanded her vocabulary. In middle or high school we may need to extend research projects to allow for more comprehensive investigation. Whatever the case may be, we often find that some practice at home, is essential in reinforcing skills. We want our students to build good study habits and responsibility.
So how can you help when it comes to homework? Encouraging your child to come home and have a snack as well as decompress for an hour or so allows them to find a better mind set for the work head. Set up a calm and quiet space at home with essentials like sharpened pencils, paper, note cards, highlighters, and coloring utensils. One area I feel strongly about, and have advocated for my own children, is the amount of time they should spend on homework. It should not replace sleep, prevent family time, or extra-curricular opportunities (within reason). A general guideline is about 10 minutes of homework per grade level. If your child is struggling and finding an assignment overly time consuming or difficult, it may be time to share with your child’s teacher what you are seeing at home. You can work together to come up with a plan that helps ensure balance and success.
As a parent of two now high schoolers, I have found that it has been imperative to stay involved by checking weekly folders, monitoring online grade books, and reading teachers’ emails. Catching concerns early makes it much easier to address issues and find solutions, rather than waiting until the end of a quarter or semester. With consistent involvement, helping your family find a good balance is achievable!
Jennifer Revolt
Jennifer is a wife and mother of two high school daughters, the Vice President of the QCUSD School Board, and the Director at Leading Edge Mountain View Christian Preschool. She has been in the education field for the last 20 years.
'Set up a calm and quiet space at home with essentials like sharpened pencils, paper, note cards, highlighters, and coloring utensils.'