Back to School: Homework troubles? 6 tips to smooth the struggle, along with Wake schools resources to help
Now that school is back in session, so are the nightly struggles with homework. Here are some tips to help.
Posted — UpdatedNow that school is back in session, so are the nightly struggles with homework. Some students simply don't understand the material. In other cases, they wonder how they'll ever write that report and solve those math problems between sports practices, music lessons or a part-time job.
But students aren't the only ones stressed out about homework. Parents can be, too.
Now that the school year has started, there will be plenty of evening and late-night clashes as students agonize over their assignments and parents have no idea how to help.
I checked in with Syreeta Smith, director of year-round support and early elementary education for the Wake County Public School System, to get some tips for how parents can help cut down on these homework anxieties.
Smith tells me homework isn't assigned just to frustrate students and parents. There's a reason behind those math worksheets and book reports.
"Homework is an instructional strategy that strengthens the home/school connection and gives parents a glimpse into the tasks students are being asked to perform," Smith tells me.
And its importance depends on a child's grade.
In kindergarten through fifth grade, for instance, homework is considered practice and reinforcement of concept and skills, Smith said. So, in Wake County, homework is not reflected in the content grade on the report card, but it does appear in the work habits grade. The work habits grade is based on whether a student uses time wisely; listens carefully; completes assignments, such as homework; writes legibly; works independently or seeks help when needed; and completes work.
For students in sixth to twelfth grade, homework can't count for more than 15 percent of a student's academic grade for each marking period, according to Wake County policy.
Smith shared some strategies parents can use to establish a homework routine and set their children up for success with homework:
If you find yourself struggling in the coming months as your child stumbles over math problems or can't figure out a science concept, Wake schools has some online resources:
Setting homework expectations and routines now with your child and familiarizing yourself with these online resources can help make a big difference toward fending off those homework battles that nobody wants to fight.
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