i do my homework

i do my homework

The Importance of Homework Completion

1. Benefits of Homework

The link between homework and educational achievement is supported by research; a meta-analysis of studies between 1987 and 2003 found that: “With only rare exceptions, the relationship between the amount of homework students do and their achievement outcomes was found to be positive and statistically significant.” The same study also found a strong link between homework and performance on standardized tests, and a stronger link in lower grades and in subjects like mathematics and science. See: Research. Transfer effects on achievement, p.49-51. By comparing the average test performance of students with and without homework, which may or may not include a control group, the effect of the homework can be shown. If the test is a form of a standardized test, the test scores of students who do not do homework will be compared with the test scores of students who do. This type of study will compare students of different classes and in different grades, and then students who take the same class but do more homework will be compared to those who do less. With the test being specific to tell what the students know, it could work to compare the students’ knowledge in different areas. This can be compared to a control group, testing how much homework affects test scores and what the average amount of homework. This can be shown with the amount and types of tests being given. This may not reflect some students who might be given more tests.

Homework provides the opportunity to learn a range of potential skills and knowledge that may be useful for the rest of the child’s life. It also gives the child a chance to express special creative talents that may not be apparent in the school environment. Children can use their skills to build special projects that help them to learn and may show adults an area in which they excel. Homework can also foster independent learning and responsible character traits. And it provides parents with an opportunity to see what’s being learned at school and to become involved in that learning.

2. Strategies for Effective Homework Completion

The students should not attempt tasks when they are not sure of what is required. This can result in time wasting because of the need to redo the task and a demotivated attitude from not achieving to the best of their ability. If a student is unsure of a task, they should be encouraged to seek help from the teacher. This will avoid potential problems and frustration for the student in attempting the work “the wrong way”.

If there are particular resources suggested to the student, the resources should be listed in point form. This gives the student a structured approach towards the task and avoids the feeling of being overwhelmed, which may result from chaotic planning.

The homework information should be in a block on the right-hand side of the page, including the due date at the top. This allows the student to fill in the white space with information from the teacher. When the student is clear about the requirements and time restrictions of the task, they are less likely to procrastinate and more likely to have a positive approach towards the task.

Provide clear instructions. The students should be clear on what the homework requires, the form in which it should be presented, and the time they can invest in it.

3. Overcoming Procrastination

You might ask your child, “How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time.” This saying is a great way of illustrating the concept of taking small steps toward an end goal. One can’t go from start to finish with ease whether the desired outcome is understanding mathematical concepts or memorizing the nation’s state capitals. Stimulate a conversation about how one goes about understanding a particular concept. He’ll find that in most cases it is a gradual process that will require using his resource book, notes from class, and possibly the teacher’s help. Then relate that to doing a somewhat time consuming task daily, such as reading about ten pages of a novel, as this is the most effective way of completely understanding a concept in the long term. This would be viewed as a much more realistic standard of understanding rather than the commonly used “cramming” the night before a test, and will result in a better student mindset towards future assigned tasks.

Does the task of getting your child started on homework seem too hard? Many children who are capable of doing all their homework simply don’t because they are too anxious about the outcome. They may be worried about a teacher’s disapproval, a poor grade, or how tough an assignment may be. Others are afraid of failing, or getting bad grades and disappointing their parents. This fear makes homework seem like drudgery. A major goal in overcoming this problem is to help your child take the task of homework and school performance more lightly.

4. Creating a Productive Homework Environment

Creating a space worthy of a study session is the first step in setting the stage for a productive homework session. The environment in which students are working can have a tremendous effect on the amount of homework they complete. For an optimal homework session, ensure that the area is free of clutter and has all necessary supplies on hand. Poor lighting can decrease productivity, so make sure the area is well lit. Too much silence can be distracting; a radio tuned to a non-lyrical station can help with noise control. Try to keep them on task by including yourself in a quiet activity nearby. It’s important to distinguish “homework time” from “free time”, so try to separate their study area from the general living space. Developing a routine will also help your child mentally prepare for homework. Allow them to choose a specific time to study which works best with extracurricular activities. Homework should be done at a set time, such as when they get home from school, after a snack. This will help prevent procrastination. Limit distractions. This may be the most challenging part of creating a productive environment. It may be hard to get siblings to cooperate, but homework time should be a no-interruption time. Let others know that this is a time where questions should be kept to a minimum. Ensure TVs and video games are turned off and phone calls are kept to a minimum. If it’s okay with the parents, short breaks for 10-15 minutes can be taken to account for shorter attention spans. This method can be very effective as it teaches the child to work diligently for short periods of time and learn how to effectively manage breaks and study periods.

5. Seeking Help and Support

It is important to know when to sacrifice homework time for playtime. Obviously, homework does need to get done and there are no guarantees that it will be easier for you tomorrow. But, putting aside an hour a day for homework and spreading it out over the week will actually provide you with the extra time to seek help in place of procrastination. Mistakes are made when people don’t understand something, so doing homework the day it was assigned proves a dilemma if there is a lesson you will learn tomorrow that will be on a test the next day. By saving the assignment pertinent to that lesson, you will increase the chance of doing well on that particular assignment and the test. But, if you wait until the very end to do it, how will you know there was something you didn’t understand? Scheduling a set time and day for homework is also convenient for parents so they can plan activities for you when you are not busy.

Despite the many benefits of doing homework on your own, it is crucial that you seek help and support when you need it. One of the downsides of homework is that it takes away time from your friends and family. It also takes away time from you playing your favorite sports or doing other fun things. Homework can take time away from things that you love, but if you get too much in the habit of procrastinating, it can take away free time you need for important things. For example, if you wait until the last minute to do a homework assignment and a friend asks you to babysit for them, you may not have time to do the assignment and help your friend.