Homework

Nannie Helen Burroughs School, Inc.

Homework

A major responsibility of the home is in the area of homework. It is imperative that students have an opportunity to follow up their class work with practice and review exercises as well as prepare for further growth in developing their knowledge and skills. The home shares the responsibility in this area.

Becoming involved in your child’s homework and school process leads to enhancing your child’s learning and their appreciation of education. Also, it allows parents to express positive attitudes about the value of school success and improves communication between the school and the family unit by clarifying what is expected of students.

Teachers use homework to help students understand and review work that has been covered in class. Also homework is given to see whether students understand the lesson and to help them learn how to find and use more information on a subject.

Based on the National Education Association, most educators agree that children in grades Kindergarten through 2^nd should spend no more than 10 to 20 minutes each night on homework. Our older children in grades 3^rd through 6^th should spend 30 to 60 minutes a day on homework and may need help organizing and planning work times for homework projects and reports that may have deadlines weeks away.

Parents can help promote good study habits by:

1. Providing a quiet, well-lit space, away from distractions and with all the right materials, such as paper, pens and pencils, reference books, dictionary, desk or table, computer, etc. (For siblings: Try to find a separate space for each of your children or schedule individual quiet times in designated areas.)

2. Creating a regular schedule, allowing for adequate study and free time. (Limit TV time, and do not allow it during homework.)

3. Seeing that your child has a library card and uses the local public library. Promoting interest in outside reading such as magazines, newspapers, etc.

4. Being available to answer questions. Try doing a problem or two together, and then watch as the child tries the next one or two. Avoid simply giving an answer; instead ask questions that let your child see the problem in smaller sequential steps.

5. Providing children with a notebook for writing down homework assignments. When homework is finished, compare it with the notebook to make sure everything is done.

6. Checking your child’s notebook and praising neat and correctly completed work. Review graded assignments and discuss errors to be sure your child understands the material.

7. Sharing any concerns with your child’s teacher about the amount or type of homework assigned. Be sure to inform the teacher if the child is having difficulty or is unable to do most of the work themselves.

8. Encouraging family members to read to each other. We always encourage mothers and fathers to read Bible stories to their young children.

Positive Benefits of Homework: Improves remembering and understanding of schoolwork; Develops study skills that will be valuable after school; Teaches that learning can take place anywhere; Fosters positive character traits such as independence and responsibility; and Teaches children to manage time. Negatives: Too much time spent on homework may cause boredom and prevention of taking part in leisure time and community activities that teach important life skills.
If cheating is promoted, it can lead to undesirable character traits.