Article # 5

based on the interview with Barbara-Lynn Taylor, M.Ed. on “Raising Your Kids”

Aired on WXII-12

Wednesday, March 10, 2004

SOME TIPS REGARDING CHILDREN OF EACH GRADE LEVEL

from “Taming the Homework Monster”, Part Five of the video-based parenting program, Successful Parenting

Each school system, school, and even teacher has different expectations regarding the purpose and amount of homework that is to be done by the students. So, since school success takes teamwork, parents or guardians should be sure that they have communicated with each individual teacher regarding the homework that is expected of their child. Homework completion falls on a continuum from kindergarten where, if there is any assigned, it should be done together with a parent, to the senior year in high school where the student should be responsible for all aspects of homework assignments. Not every student will be at the same place at the same time and the progress may not be steady. There will probably be stops and starts and even regressions along the way. Some rare students may be quite independent and responsible as early as elementary and middle school. Every student is unique!

Understanding that, here are some general guidelines regarding homework for children of each grade level.

In kindergarten and first grade, homework should be fun and should reinforce what has been taught at school. Parents should read to the children every night. If their children are reading, they should make time to listen attentively. Teachers have different opinions as to what parents should do if a child is reading and gets stuck on a word. The various opinions are: help the child sound it out, help them use context clues, or tell them the word right away. Again, consult your child’s teacher. The important factor is that your child should not experience frustration.

In grades two through five, parents or guardians should be weaning their children away from their constant help and presence and instead, should be available as a resource. They should check the assignment book or planner to see that each assignment is completed.

When it comes to projects such as for the school Science Fair, a parent’s role is to help pick a project, help gather supplies, and help “polish it up”. The emphasis here is on the “help”. It should still be the child’s project!

When it comes to math homework, there are two different points of view. Some teachers think that students should complete it and turn it in exactly as done so the teacher can see where students might be having trouble. In contrast, some other teachers think that practicing a skill incorrectly reinforces errors, so they prefer that parents work with the student until the paper is 100% correct. One problem with this strategy is that even in elementary school, the math can be pretty tough and the parent may not be sure of what is correct either. How do you know what to do? Ask the teacher!

In grades six through eight, the weaning continues as parents simply check to see that assignments are being done, but don’t need to examine each paper. The most difficult task of middle school students is to balance all the activities they want to do with the ones they have to do. Spending time with their peers is usually the most important activity for middle school students, even if what they are doing is perceived as unproductive by the parents. Setting priorities that include academics and disciplining themselves to stick to timelines is very difficult for most middle school students. Parents may find that conferences with teachers are especially needed and helpful at this stage. Parents and teachers should come to the conference in the spirit of teamwork, not to complain, but to find solutions together. Students should be given the option of attending the conferences as they learn to become advocates for themselves.

High school students look grown up and responsible and often they have reached that goal of being independent in completing homework. However, they may not be as far along that continuum as we think they should be or wish they were. We must be realistic, assess where they are, and help move them to that goal of independence. Their lives are full of so many other activities such as friends, dating, sports, music, electronic games, and just plain “hanging out”. Organizing time and setting priorities can remain major issues. It gets a bit more challenging at the high school level too because, although it may be obvious to us parents that our children may need some help getting their time use in line with their long range goals, this is a time when they are also rebelling against our ideas and authority. They are striking out to find their own identity, so just when parents and children need most to be cooperating with each other, that cooperation may not be easy to find. Mutual respect and communication are the keys.

Research papers will be assigned in high school. If the students are to the point where they are managing the entire process successfully on their own, that is great. It is, however, appropriate for a parent to make sure the child has access to information, assist in seeing that a timeline is developed, and check the final draft for spelling, grammar, and punctuation. Beyond that, it must be the student’s own work.

Yes, school success takes teamwork between the students, the teachers, the parents, and any support personnel involved. Homework is an integral part of success at school. Understanding best practices for homework in general and exactly what is important at each grade level can help. So, best wishes as you TAME THAT HOMEWORK MONSTER!

NOTE: Barbara-Lynn will be joining Chris and Kimberly every Wednesday morning at 6:30 on WXII-12 for “Raising Your Kids”.

If you have comments, questions, or would like to share your best parenting practices with reference to homework, please e-mail Barbara-Lynn at blt@successfulparenting.