Many students have homework already during this first week! I've asked area teachers for advice to assist MacKids with their school-work. Let's have a great new school year Monroe-West Monroe!
ELEMENTARY STUDENTS
- Establish a routine or schedule that works for your family. Create a regular schedule that allows for adequate study and free time. Usually, kids are most productive earlier in the evening and not too close to bedtime. Some students may need a little after-school play break and an energizing snack before hitting the books. The most important thing is to establish a routine that works for you and your child.
- Have a Study Buddy. It is helpful to have a list of three or four classmates students can call on when they forget an assignment. A study buddy can read your child the spelling words over the phone, or their parent can snap a pic of the worksheet and text it to you.
- Be a resource. You're a busy parent with a lot going on: dinner on the stove, a mile-long to-do list, and maybe a wild preschooler in the mix — but remind your child (and yourself) that school work is a top priority. Whenever possible, be available to assist with homework questions, but avoid simply giving answers. Instead, ask questions that let your child see the problem in smaller, sequential steps.
- *A strategy to help with the younger ones: Play school. One parent advises, “I have our 5-year-old son play the role of the teacher. First, he tells us about his day. Then we go over the homework together. I act as though I don’t understand, and he ‘teaches me’ and shows me by doing the homework. We get it done, and he feels so proud of his work.” This is a clever way to coax a person of any age to synthesize and demonstrate her learning.
- Build Confidence. When kids don’t get something right away, they may start to get frustrated and shut down. You can help them get back on track by sitting down and figuring out the first problem together. That alone can help them remember how to do the rest. Follow it up with praise: “You did a great job on that one! Try the next one now.” *Another strategy: Have your child show you similar problems they worked on in class. That may jog their memory. Plus, it helps you see what they’ve already learned.
- Free Homework Assistance is available OPSB.net or your school’s EDLINE page. Homework Louisiana (HomeworkLa.org), a service of the State Library of Louisiana, offers FREE online tutoring and academic resources from Tutor.com for Louisiana residents from kindergarten students through adult learners. Get help in math, science, social studies, or English from a live tutor. The services can be accessed from a Louisiana public library, from your home computer, or from your mobile device.
J. Freeman, Assistant Principal, Drew Elementary School
MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS
- Study notes every night for a few minutes and jot down any questions you may have to ask your teacher the next day.
- Use a student planner to write down important dates such as tests or projects.
- Make study cards. On the frontlist a vocabulary word and on the back a definition, or write a question on the front and an answer on the back.
- Talk about your assignments with a friend. Explaining class work deepens your understanding!!
- If you are struggling, ask for help!!! Teachers do not mind giving additional explanations or study tips!!
G. Leshe, 7th Grade Science, Good Hope Middle School
HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS
- Focus from the start! Don't let assignments and studying get away from you. HS works with Carnegie units...much different than just pass/fail. Students need a certain number of units to graduate. It may take 5 years if you're not focused!
- Take the ACT as soon as possible. The ACT test prep books really do help. Make sure you understand that TIME is your enemy. POE (process of elimination) is your friend. Guess quickly and move past the problems you don't know.
- Take DE (dual enrollment) courses when possible. You earn college credits while in HS at a very less expensive rate.
- Take all your EOC courses seriously. Do your very best in those classes and always try to score an Excellent! You can do it!!
- CLEP out of as many courses as you can in HS. Find out which CLEP exams have a high passage rate and take them! More is more!!
- Don't forget about TOPs and TOPS Tech scholarships offered by the state! Make sure you're taking the right classes to qualify, and do not forget your GPA and ACT scores determine eligibility too!
- Get involved! Students who are involved become connected to the school and ultimately perform better.
- Be yourself and smile!
A. Ellis, Vice Principal of Neville High School
HOMESCHOOL STUDENTS
- Parents be sure to plan ahead. Look to see what supplies you will need for the coming week, or at least for the next day.
- Students - be patient with your teacher (parent) and your siblings. We will get more done AND have more fun when we do it together!
- Take difficult subjects in bite-size pieces. If math is not your favorite thing, break it up with some math drills (facts practice) and new concepts in the morning, and then practice problems in the afternoon.
- Persistence pays off. You can do hard things. Just take your time, ask questions, and then DO it!
- Every curriculum does not fit every child. Don't be afraid to try something new with a younger child. It might work even better.
K. Curtis, Homeschool Parent
