Homework Tips - Getting Students to Complete Homework

Homework, if used correctly, can be quite an effectiveefficiency. Have a box with everything your child might
tool for increasing student achievement.need to complete any given homework
Unfortunately, as many teachers know, gettingassignment...pencils, erasers, glue, scissors, markers,
students to complete homework can be a frustratingpaper etc. This will greatly reduce homework
task to say the least.procrastination.
Teachers try all sorts of strategies to help students3. Help your child establish a consistent schedule for
complete homework. We have them write thecompleting homework. Depending on the child's after
homework in their planners/agendas, we get themschool schedule, it may not be possible to do the
started on the homework in class to clear up anyhomework at the same time every night. Therefore, it
confusion, we post the homework on websites and/ormay be wise to sit down Sunday night each week
blogs etc.and create the homework schedule for the upcoming
Unfortunately, despite our best efforts, when it comesweek.
to checking/collecting homework the next day we see4. Do not sit with your child and do the homework
the same old thing...many students simply do not do thetogether. The purpose of the homework is for your
homework, or they don't complete the homework.child to practice what he or she has learned in class. If
Usually, at this point, teachers start assigning detention,your child cannot do the homework by herself then
making phone calls home etc.you need to contact the teacher.
However, one homework strategy that is often5. After your child completes the homework, discuss
overlooked is getting parents involved with yourit...What did he or she learn from the homework? What
homework policy from the beginning. No, I don't meansteps were easy? Difficult?
just letting them know the percentage of the grade6. Your child should spend roughly 10 minutes per
and the consequences for incomplete homework, butgrade level on homework. For example, a 2nd grader
rather what the parents can do to help their childshould spend 20 minutes on homework while an 8th
complete the homework.grader should spend 80 minutes. Again, if your child
Here's a list of some homework strategies thatcontinues to consistently spend more time than this on
teachers can share with their students' parents:homework make sure to contact your child's teacher.
1. Set up a consistent place for homework to be done.Many parents are just not aware of the best way to
Homework should be done in the same place everyhelp their child complete the homework. By providing a
night - not on the couch one night, at the dinner tablelist of helpful homework tips for parents, teachers will
the next, and the bedroom the following night.see an increase in homework completion and
2. Organize your homework spot to maximizetherefore, an increase in academic achievement.