How Parents Can Help Students with Homework and Study Habits

Charting Our Journey Parent WorkshopBy: Dr. Lateasha White, Parent Involvement Liaison

Adapted from presentation by: Lakeita Servance, Parent Engagement SpecialistGaDOE Office of School Improvement

Objectives:• IDENTIFY common homework

challenges

• IDENTIFY learning style via multiple intelligence test

• MAP out study habits and learn tips for success

• IDENTIFY mapping strategies for organization

Identify Common Homework Challenges

• Child forgets homework on purpose • Does not understand importance of homework or it may

be too difficult• Child studies at home, but fails the test

• Casual studying may not be sufficient, as test may require mastery of skills learned in class

• Parents spend countless, tiring hours helping child cram for the test the night before, but child still fails the test

• Set up a study schedule, with short 15-20min sessions throughout the week in preparation for the test

• Child’s homework is messy and disorganized• Emphasize the importance of writing notes neatly and

orderly. Make child rewrite homework that is messy.• Required reading material is above the child’s level, but

they are still responsible for knowing the material/concepts• Read textbooks with your child to help them understand

key concepts in the chapter.

Common Challenges

• Visual (spatial): You prefer using pictures, images, and spatial understanding.

• Aural (auditory-musical): You prefer using sound and music.

• Verbal (linguistic): You prefer using words, both in speech and writing.

• Physical (kinesthetic): You prefer using your body, hands and sense of touch.

• Logical (mathematical): You prefer using logic, reasoning and systems.

• Social (interpersonal): You prefer to learn in groups or with other people.

• Solitary (intrapersonal): You prefer to work alone and use self-study.

Learning Styles

3 Main Cognitive Learning Styles

Visual• Learn by seeing• Able to memorize and recall various information• Tends to remember things that are written down

Auditory• Learns by hearing & speaking • Often has talents in music and may concentrate better with soft music playing in the background

Kinesthetic• Learn by doing - Uses a hands-on approach to learn new material• Would rather demonstrate how to do something rather than verbally explain it• Usually prefers group work more than others

• Prefers fill in the blank information• Using color coded words makes retention easier• Flashcards when learning vocabulary• Flipcharts, graphs, pictures, or props are

preferred• Use a highlighter to separate key points• Underline or circle key words• Encourage note taking and writing games • Make outlines of everything• Usually good in Math and Science

**Best test type: Diagramming, reading maps, essays, and demonstrating a process

**Worst test type: Listen and respond test

Example of a Visual Learner

• Record lectures to study and play information back

• Repeats facts out loud and in own words• Discuss material in study groups • Listen to music to help learn • Prefers reading textbooks to themselves

out loud• Usually good in grammar and foreign

language

**Best test type: Oral exams or writing a response to a lecture they heard

**Worst test type: Reading passages and writing answers about them in a timed test

Example of a Auditory Learning Style

Example of a Kinesthetic Learning Style

• Studies best in short blocks• Learns well in lab classes • Prefers role playing - “teach” the

information they must learn using chalkboard

• Enjoys studying with others• Use memory games and flash cards to retain

information• Uses maps, globes, puzzles to study history

& geography• Need help to develop system to stay

organized

**Best test type: Short definitions, fill-ins and multiple choice

**Worst test type: Long test and essays

Homework & Study Habits

Homework Tips for Parents• Help child understand purpose of homework:

• Review and practice what was taught• Prepare for next day’s class• Learn to use resources – library, websites, reference books,

etc.• Explore subjects more fully than class time permits.• Integrate different skills learned into a single task

(project/book report).• Teach students to work independently & encourage self-

discipline and responsibility.• Homework amounts:

• Depends on age & skill of child.• Recommendation: 10 min. per grade level: (5th – 8th) 50-80

minutes• Homework Survival Kit in study spot:

• pencils, pens, writing paper, colored pencils, markers, ruler, pencil sharpener, erasers, stapler, scissors, paper clips, index cards, folders, dictionary, and other necessary items.

• Schedule Homework Time:• same time each night - be sure all other activities stop at this

time

Study Environment• Place:

• Choose a place where your child is able to write neatly and stay alert.

• Study in the same place every day.

• Light:• Use good overhead lighting that is not too dim but

not so bright that they must squint.

• Sound:• Find a quiet place where they won’t be interrupted

by others, the radio or TV, or other noises.

• Temperature:• Find a comfortable spot where they are not too hot

or too cold.

How Parents Can Help• Help child manage time to complete assignments – discuss steps

needed for longer assignments – help them get started on big assignments

• Give practice tests• Help avoid last minute cramming – review nightly with your child.• Talk with your child about how to take a test

• Read instructions carefully• Keep track of time• Do easy ones first• Don’t spend too much time on one question

• Talk about assignments• Do they understand what to do?• Do they need help in understanding the assignment?• Do they have everything needed for assignment?• Does the answer make sense?

• Watch for frustration.• Give constructive criticism.• Praise and encourage!!

Reference: Popson, D. (2008). Strategies for Helping Your Child with Organization, Study Skills, and Homework.

Middle School Study Habits• Study groups are often a good

strategy. Your child may benefit from studying with one or two classmates.

• Encourage your child to divide the homework assignment into "What I can do myself" and "What I need help with.“

• Enforce that neatness is important. Children often rush through assignments quickly so they can finish sooner and move on to the next thing on their agenda.

Middle School Stars

• Establish rules about the use of their cell phone during study time. This can be a major distraction; therefore, it would be wise to prohibit the use of it during homework time.

• Remind your child that it’s ok to say no if they are being asked to engage in extracurricular activities and forms of entertainment with their friends that may interfere with study time.

• Keep things in perspective and caution your child against setting goals that are too difficult to meet.

Day Reading/ELA

Math Social Studies

Science

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

Homework Resources:

• Homework Centerhttp://www.infoplease.com/homework/

• Fact Monsterhttp://www.factmonster.com/

• Tips for Helping Kids and Teens with Homework

http://www.childdevelopmentinfo.com/learning/studytips.shtml

Questions/Comments

Contact InformationDr. Lateasha White

Parent Involvement Liaison770-474-5710 | lateasha.white@henry.k12.ga.us