It is important for you to accept the feelings of frustration your children may occasionally have with homework. It is also important that you then redirect your child back to the current task, explaining what needs to be done and how to best to do it. Feeling frustrated, at times, is a normal occurrence of life. Nonetheless, if it occurs too frequently, there is a problem to be addressed. In response, if you become irritable or angry, your behavior will only heighten your anxiety as well as your child’s frustration. Perhaps a good initial question to ask your child is “In what ways to you want help?” In this week’s column we offer specific suggestions for assisting with homework in different subjects.
Reading
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Read topic sentences.
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Read headings
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Read questions at the end.
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Teach the SQ3R technique to review content material. This stands for Scan, Question, Read, Recite, and Review. Scanning requires a survey of the material, including pictures, featured key words, and a summary. Questioning means turning each bold faced heading and word into a question. After the reading the material thoroughly, bold faced type should be recited out loud. Finally, key words and questions raised from bold faced titles should be reviewed.
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Work sheets and work books should be divided into fragments or chunks. Encourage your child to work on one chunk at a time.
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Have your child work with a friend and read out loud, taking turns as homework is completed.
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Present key vocabulary words in a sentence format when they are introduced. This may give immediate meaning to an unknown word.
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Allow your child to select high interest material for reading reports and projects.
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Encourage your child to orally discuss what he or she has read and even use a tape recorder to record highlights.
Math
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Use calculators to check computations.
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Estimate answers before computing the problem.
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Use color codes highlighting math symbols that change on worksheets. For example, make plus signs green and minus signs red.
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Encourage your child to use one inch graph paper to help organize columns.
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Use real life examples, visual models, and manipulatives as often as
possible.
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Attempt mnemonic strategies to help your child remember multiple steps in math problems.
- Interesting software or active games should also be considered for tedious math review and drill.
