Homework Routines: top 10 homework tips

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Posted by msmartaPS1 | Posted in Homework & home-based activities | Posted on January 16, 2015

A-Balanced-Homework-Routine

Children are more successful in school when parents are actively involved in their homework. It shows children what they do is important.

Parents can be supportive by introducing homework routines, asking their children what they need to do and checking they’ve done their homework before they pack their schoolbags.

This is our weekly homework chart: 

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Here are some tips to establish a homework routine and help your child be more successful with his homework tasks:

Know the teachers — and what they’re looking for. Attend school events, such as parent-teacher conferences, to meet your child’s teachers. Ask about their homework policies and how you should be involved.

Set up a homework-friendly area. Make sure children have a well-lit place to complete homework. Keep supplies — paper, pencils, glue, scissors — within reach.

Schedule a regular study time. Some children work best in the afternoon, following a snack and play period; others may prefer to wait until after dinner.

Help them make a plan. On heavy homework nights or when there’s an especially hefty assignment to tackle, encourage your child break up the work into manageable chunks. Create a work schedule for the night if necessary — and take time for a 15-minute break every hour, if possible.

Keep distractions to a minimum. This means no TV, loud music, phones, iPads…

Make sure they do their own work. They won’t learn if they don’t think for themselves and make their own mistakes. Parents and private tutors  can make suggestions and help with directions. But it’s the child’s job to do the learning.

Be a motivator and monitor. Ask about assignments, quizzes, and tests. Give encouragement, check completed homework, and make yourself available for questions and concerns.

Set a good example. Kids are more likely to follow their parents’ examples than their advice.

Praise their work and efforts. Post an aced test or art project on the refrigerator. Mention academic achievements to relatives.

If there are continuing problems with homework, get help.Talk about it with your child’s teacher. Some children have trouble seeing the board and may need glasses; others might need a private teacher as extra help.

***You can always CONTACT MS. MARTA if you have any questions about your child’s homework.

We love reading!

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Posted by msmartaPS1 | Posted in English, Homework & home-based activities, We are reading… | Posted on January 15, 2015

It is our second week after the holiday and we are already busy with science projects, reading new books and writing new stories 🙂

Every morning from 7.30 am to 8 am, we sit in circle and I read a book to our students. We have just finished reading Fantastic Mr. Fox, by Roald Dahl. Our students love Roald Dahl’s books and we have lots of fun reading his books in the morning.

MRFOX

Last semester we read George’s Marvellous Medicine and The BFG. We did different activities and projects about these books, which are now part of the students’ creative journals. Reading these books together not only teach us new words and lessons about life, but also how fun reading is! After reading, we share our ideas about the story and we also talk about similar things that happen in our daily lives.

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BFG

Today we’ve voted for the best of these books … and the winner is… The BFG! There is something about this friendly giant that children and adults love. Once you read the book, “you just want to be friends with him forever!” (That’s what one of our students wrote about the book :-))

Reading with your child

1. It’s Part of Life

Although the life of a parent is often hectic, you should try to read with your child at least once a day at a regularly scheduled time. But don’t be discouraged if you skip a day or don’t always keep to your schedule. Just read to your child as often as you possibly can.

2. One More Time

You may go through a period when your child favours one book and wants it read night after night. It is not unusual for children to favor a particular story, and this can be boring for parents. Keep in mind, however, that a favourite story may speak to your child’s interests or emotional needs. Be patient. Continue to expose your children to a wealth of books and eventually they will be ready for more stories.

3. Talking About Stories

It’s often a good idea to talk about a story you’re reading, but you needn’t feel compelled to talk about every story. Good stories will encourage a love for reading, with or without conversation. And sometimes children need time to think about stories they’ve read. A day or so later, don’t be surprised if your child mentions something from a story you’ve read together.

Through books we can enrich our minds; we can also relax and enjoy some precious leisure moments.

With your help, as your children begin a lifelong relationship with reading, they can grow into adults who read easily and frequently.

And as an opportunity to share thoughts and ideas… Would you like to share the name of your favourite book when you were a child? Would you like to recommend any classic or present-day book for children? Do you have any favourite book you and your child/children have read at home? 

Thank you for your ideas and comments!

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