CARES: Children's Academic Resource & Educational Services: September 2014

Lost directions/lost materials -- Call a classmate and get the information. You can substitute a piece of paper for a missing worksheet or index card.

Forgotten or lost homework -- Double check your assignment book. Go on line and check Blackboard or Edline. (Whichever on-line system your school uses). Call a classmate; do what you can; make your best effort; write a note to the teacher

Confusion about directions -- Double check your assignment book or go on line. Call a classmate who usually has the homework correctly.

Long-term project -- Chunk the parts of the project on a calendar. Check the calendar daily so you can stay on schedule. Use weekends if you need to so you can catch up.

Tuesday, September 9, 2014

Homework Hints - Proofreading COPS

When you proofread your writing, call out the COPS

C = Capitalization. Have you used capital letters for the first word in each sentence? Have you used capital letters for names and other proper nouns?

O = Organization. Does each paragraph have the right time sequence or steps in order?

Overall appearance. Is your work neat? Do you have the heading in the correct

place?

P = Punctuation. Does each sentence have correct punctuation marks at the end? (.,?!).

Have you used apostrophes and commas correctly

S = Sentences. Did you use complete sentences? Did you use variety in the first words

of the sentences?

Are you proud of your work?

Thursday, September 4, 2014

Homework Tips part 3

Simple Homework Strategies

Plan study time

• look ahead and see what needs to be accomplished in the next day, week, month.

• be realistic when estimating the time it will take to complete an assignment or project.

Prioritize

• write our a to do list each day

• the list should include homework, activities, chores and plans with friends

Organize

• make sure backpacks are packed with the right books, notebooks and supplies

• pack up the night before and unpack as soon as your child comes home from school.

• use one binder for each subject

• each binder should have 2 sections: one for work to be completed and one for completed work.

Workspace

• make sure your child's homework workspace has good lighting, is clutter free, and has a comfortable chair.

• There should be little or no noise.

• Avoid distractions like music, tv, cell phones, and games.

• make sure supplies are close by - keep pencils, paper, highlighters at hand.

Wednesday, September 3, 2014

Homework Tips/Ideas/Suggestions - Part 2

Tips to Stop Rushing Through Homework

-- Discuss expectations BEFORE homework begins. Identify the homework that your child normally rushes through. For each assignment, jot down 2-3 requirements on a post-it note and place on the desk or table next to your child. For example, on a writing assignment, you may list, "proper heading, legible writing, and complete sentences." By being proactive, instead of reactive, you can stop rushing before it happens.

-- Set up Daily Homework Time (DHT). DHT is a specific time each day that's dedicated to homework, whether your child says he has it or not. Your child will spend a minimum amount of time on academically related tasks daily. For example, if the spelling homework is completed quickly, but 40 minutes are still left in DHT, your child could study for a test, work on a long-term project, organize her notebook, or read. If your child knows he has DHT for an hour, he may be less likely to try to rush through an assignment. How long should DHT be?

Here's a guide:

Grade 1: 10 minutes

Grade 2: 20 minutes

Grade 3: 30 minutes

Grade 4: 40 minutes

Grades 5 and 6: 45 minutes

Grades 7-12: 1 hour (as a minimum)

-- Use praise the right way. Recognize good effort whenever possible! Rewards and praise will result in positive changes faster than punitive words or punishment. When providing feedback, be sure to offer a positive statement first. Follow with specific, constructive criticism and finish off with another positive comment.

For example, 'You rushed through this writing assignment!'becomes, 'I like the way you wrote your heading so neatly. I do see that your paragraphs need more descriptive details, but overall your essay looks close to being done."

Tuesday, September 2, 2014

Homework Tips/Ideas/Suggestions - Part 1

Here are some homework tips that I have learned over the years with my boys, who both have learning differences. I hope they help you and your child.

--Make homework time as close to the same time every day – make it the routine. i.e. Snack, homework; tv or video games, homework, dinner, reading

--Make sure that the area that your child is doing homework is free of distractions – No TV, NO music. (The kitchen table isn’t the best if you’re cooking or working there too).

--Create a homework “nook” using a Science project tri fold board (if it’s too high, cut it in half)

Use the board as walls to block out distractions and to the inside add information and tools that your child will need/use - list of ABC’s to help with alphabetical order, multiplication table, clock, etc.

If you still need to block out noise and distractions, put a roof on top.

--Make sure you have lots of supplies and keep them close by – pens, pencils, highlighters, and calculator; this will cut down on getting up and down or creating an excuse for getting up and down.

--If the work seems too much – break it out into smaller tasks i.e. answer just the first few math problems. If that doesn’t work, try doing every other problem.

--Take breaks! Work for 10 minutes take a break, work for 10 more minutes.

--If you child wiggles, you can get a wiggle seat or have them sit on an large exercise ball pulled up to the desk or table.

--Try to involve your child in deciding how to break up the homework or in which order to do it – math first, reading 2nd, or hardest subject first or easiest subject 1st, or big project then shorter tasks.

--Read, read, read. Read every day or night at the same time and if possible the same place – big comfy chair, in bed, at a desk.

--If the book is too long or has “too many words”, take turns - have your child read a page or paragraph and you read a page or paragraph.

--If you can, get a book on tape or CD and read along with the cd

--Ask questions at the end of every few pages or chapter so you know your child understands what is being read.

Pages

Monday, September 22, 2014

Open houses at schools for children who learn differently

Wednesday, September 10, 2014

Homework Tips - Crisis Averted