This week I’ve seen a lot of students struggling with homework. Perhaps it’s the grey cold weather that’s making it extra hard to get the books out when they get home. Somehow, the bright lights of the TV and a comfy chair make things like getting into trouble with your teachers or getting behind in your work seem unimportant.
Some of my students say that when they get home “I don’t know what I’m meant to do” or “if I’m even doing it right.”
Or “It’s a waste of time – what’s the point?”
“Why can’t we just play sport and enjoy our leisure time when we are at home?”
What I tell them is that homework is like a training session. You train so you know what to do when you are playing for real.
To get in the game at school you have to do homework so you can do your classwork.
Plan to spend at least 30 –60 minutes a weeknight getting subject work done or reading over notes.
Put a training schedule in place – work out the time for homework each day then go for it.
The latest research is full of how intelligence and the ability to learn is not fixed – Work that brain and watch it grow!
Find a time and place to work and just do it. Choose to:
- Find a space at that you can work in. Get the phone number of someone who usually knows what to do so you can ring if you get stuck.
- Highlight the first thing that you are asked to do and answer the questions one at a time.
- Read the questions being asked carefully. Think carefully – what is it asking me to do?” Then just have a go at writing down an answer.
- Do your homework with a group of buddies and you can all help each other – ask if your school has a homework center and go there or use the local library.
- Ask if your school has Peer tutors – an older student that can help at break times and maybe give you a few of the answers too.
I always suggest mum or dad have some agreed on reward after homework is done – like kicking a ball , watching a loved programme or sharing a hot chocolate. After all – while hard work may have its own rewards at school, home is usually a happier place for everyone when homework is done for the night too. Now that’s a game plan I like.
Julie
