Help Your Child Get the Most Out of Homework

When children faithfully compete their homework assignments they are much more likely to remember what was taught in class over a longer period of time, making them better students. A significant portion of a child's grade comes from homework scores, so completing this every day is essential for good grades.

Not doing homework can have a huge impact on a grade. Here's an example. John gets an A on Monday's homework, B on Tuesday, B on Wednesday, and A on Thursday. Then, just Friday's assignment is not finished. The average of 90, 80, 80, 90, and 0 is 68%, a D+! And that child got A's and B's except for just one missing assignment!

Parents and families play an important role in the process. Together, families and teachers can help children develop good study habits and attitudes to become lifelong learners.

On this page you'll find answers to questions many people have about homework, as well as specific advice for helping your children.

How much time should my children spend each night on homework?

Most students will have between one and two hours of homework nightly, depending on when tests, reports, and other assignments are given. Your child should average about 90 minutes of work per night. If you are concerned that there is too much or not enough homework, please click on the Faculty tab at the top of this page and email your child's teacher.

If your child tells you there is no homework, be concerned! There's almost always homework every night. Check the RS and ask the teacher if this is the case.

How can I help with homework?

The first thing we ask is that you have your child show you his or her Responsibility Sheet every day. The RS, as we call it, is the place where your child is expected to record what has been done in class and what the homework is. This must be completed for EVERY period EVERY day, so there should never be a blank, even for PE! Sometimes giving a reward, such as an ice cream cone or renting a family movie on Friday for getting the RS completed for the week can be an incentive.

• Ask to see the RS as soon as you see your child in the afternoon.

• Give your child a quiet place to study, free of distractions. There should be a open writing surface, such as a table or desk. Some parents have children do this in a supervised area so their children can ask them questions when they get stuck, and so children are accountable to keep working.

• Make this a regular, scheduled time. Many parents give their children a snack immediately following school, then have them complete homework before going on to other activites, such as playing outside or watching TV. Consistency is key

• When the homework is done, check it quickly against what is listed on the RS. Many parents check that all assignments are complete, while others also check for accuracy.

• You are your child's best teacher, and you always will be. When your children see you reading or studying yourself, they understand that your family values these things.

Can my children do homework while watching television?

A recent study at UCLA showed that students who watch television while completing homework remember information differently. In order for students to process information and retain it in their long-term memory, remove distractions such as television and loud music.

What if I don't understand my child's assignment?

It's probably been a long time since you've taken Algebra I. Yet your eighth grader will certainly have questions about it. The first thing you can do is to look through the lesson in the book for answers together. This shows your child that you have a genuine interest in learning, and you may find the answer together in the explanation of the concept or in your child's notes. If you still don't know, drop the teacher a note, (an email works great!) and say that you looked for the answer together but couldn't find it.

Be sure that your child finishes as much of the assignment as he or she can do, however. If that fourth step is the problem, have him or her complete every problem through the third step. And have your child finish the rest of the questions that he or she does understand. This lets the teacher know that a diligent effort has been made to complete the work.

Do teachers really want me to ask them questions about homework?

Teachers want children to learn and want parents and families to be involved in their children's education. When you stay in touch with your children's teachers, they can ease your worries and offer their own homework tips and ideas on how you can help your children learn. Meet each of your children's teachers and ask what kind of homework will be given. This is very important, even in middle and high school.

One of my children tries hard but still has problems with homework. What can I do to help?

The first place to turn is to the teacher for help. Don't wait! Some parents think they should wait until report card grades are released before they should ask questions. Please don't! If your child is struggling with homework and/or tests, get him or her help before the report card grade is final. Talk to the teacher. They're more than willing to help.

One option that may be discussed is tutoring. Piute offers tutoring after school on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday from 2:10 to 3:10. We offer this for three consecutive weeks per session, and take a break during tracking weeks. For the full schedule and to sign your child up please visit the office to fill out the form.

Intersession is also available to students for extra help during off-track time. Students still get one week off, and get the help they need. We offer students who attend tutoring and intersession a bonus on their GPA!

What if my child still isn't turning homework in?

State clearly and assertively to your child that you expect homework to be done and turned in to the teacher. Let your child know you will not tolerate irresponsible behavior about homework.

Don't wait until grades come out to find out if the problem has been solved. You may need weekly contact with the teacher until the student develops new habits.

Should I reward my children for doing homework or for getting good grades?

Children like to know when they've done a good job. Your approval means a lot. Praise your children's work often. Show pride when your children do their best, no matter what grades they get.

Be careful about giving money or gifts as rewards. Most teachers want parents to reward students' work in other ways. The next time your child does a good job on a school project, plan a special family activity as a reward.

Homework Hints

• Assume that your children will have studying to do every night.

• Ask your children if they understand their homework. If they do not, work a few examples together.

• Ask your children to show you their homework after the teacher returns it, to learn where they're having trouble and where they're doing well. See if your children did the work correctly.

• Stay in touch with your children's teachers. Ask about their classes and what they are studying. Ask their teachers how you can support what they are studying (flash cards, going over the review section at the end of the chapter, etc.).

• Remember, you and their teachers want the same thing — to help your children learn.

• Don't be afraid to get in touch with the teacher if you and your child don't understand an assignment or if your child is having a great deal of trouble. Almost all parents run into these problems, and teachers are glad to help.

• Don't do your children's work for them. Help them learn how to do it themselves.

• Show your children that you think homework is important. If you are at work during homework time, ask to see their work when you get home.

• Praise your children for doing well. Make praise a habit.

• Help older students organize their assignments by recording them on calendars or planners, along with due dates, dates turned in, etc.

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Adapted from a guide developed by the NEA and National PTA.

http://www.nea.org/parents/homework.html

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Citizenship

The Citizenship grade at Piute is based on our Merit system. Your child begins each trimester with 100 merits. Demerits are given from misbehavior, such as talking out of turn, chewing gum, profanity, etc. The number of demerits is subtracted from a child's grade, and the number of merits remaining at the end of the trimester becomes your child's final Citizenship grade.

For example, John has 100 merits. He takes more than the 4 minutes to get from one class to another, and is given 4 demerits for being tardy between classes. His grade is 100-4=96. Your child's current citizenship grade is recorded on the RS. If that grade is blank, please contact your child's teacher.

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Awarded to students who have no absences or tardies for the entire trimester.

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F=0 points

Add up the total number of points, then divide by the number of classes. A GPA of 4.00 means all A's. We expect all students to have at least a 3.00 GPA. This would mean a B average; often this includes C's and A's also. A GPA of 1.86 or lower indicates that a student is not well-prepared to enter the next grade level and is an indicator of extreme concern for academic progress.

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Did you know that your high school counselor may allow your child to graduate high school without the classes necessary to enter the University of California? The classes that set the minimum requirement, called the "A through G requirements," are listed on the UC's website. Click here to print a copy of these requirements, and insist on setting up an appointment with a counselor before your child enters high school. Then make sure that your child takes the classes that will enable him or her to apply to a UC school, such as UCLA, UC San Diego, or UC Berkeley upon graduation. Many private schools would also expect that the A-G requirements are met.

A college education is now nearly universally expected for entry level work in business. While your child may eventually decide not to go to college, we HIGHLY recommend taking these classes so that the door to higher education remains open.

University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) . University of Southern California (USC) . University of California, Berkeley (Cal) . University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB) . Wake Forest (North Carolina) . Harvard . MIT . Stanford . Cal State Northridge (CSUN) . Cal State Bakersfield (CSUB) . Antelope Valley College (AVC) .