Helping Your Children With Homework
I was told that the GT students learned through application rather than through literal work. I asked, “What on earth does a third grader need to apply?” but he said that it was a great program, so I agreed to my daughter’s involvement.
Of course, I had no way of knowing that when the principal said that the students would learn to apply, it meant that the parents would be doing most of the work.
Throughout the course of Jenny’s third grade year, she was assigned a total of fifteen book reports, eight diaramas, twelve oral reports, and nine visual aids. Plus, every week the students were given four word problems to complete for their math class, and we spent many a night trying to calm Jenny down as she cried over Train A and Car B. It was a nightmare.
But when it comes to children and their homework, how much involvement should parents have? And should parents assist children with their creative projects? I met with Jenny’s third grade teacher to ask these questions and I received a rather conclusive answer: no.
The teachers at Jenny’s elementary school claimed that parents should not help their children with homework at all, and if students had questions about the assignment, then they should ask their teacher the following morning in class. Of course, if the assignment is due the next day, then they will receive a failing grade because they were unable to go to their parents for help.
What I have finally deduced is that parents should help their kids with their schoolwork, but no one should mention it to the teachers. It sounds underhanded and immoral, but that is the only conclusion I could reach, and any feedback on the subject would be appreciated.
So here is the question that I ask myself before I begin helping Jenny or Alex with their homework: What will benefit them the most?
Contrary to what the schools will tell you, education is not just about getting good grades and pleasing the teachers. Its about learning valuable information to carry with you into the real world. I’m not concerned with the difference between an A and a B because that isn’t the issue; when I’m reviewing a paper that has already been graded, I look for the way my kids expressed their ideas and whether they understood the concept of the assignment.
When I am asked for help on a project, paper, or worksheet, we go over it step-by-step. Sometimes I remember the material, and sometimes I have to go back over the chapter and relearn what they are studying in class (keep in mind, my kids are no longer in elementary school, so the work is a little harder). Then we talk about how the concepts can be applied to real life (thank you, GT!) to help them understand it better.
Should parents do the assignments for their children? Of course not! Can they help them with the concept? Definitely!
1. Worksheets
When I refer to worksheets, I mean one- or two-page assignments with specific questions that should be completed from a specific chapter or unit.
Worksheets are fairly straightforward, and unless your child is really struggling with the material, he or she probably won’t need much help. The answers can usually be found by reading the text and looking over key words. Math can be a little different, since each problem requires the understanding of how to work the equation, so rereading the instructions might be beneficial.
When my kids have trouble with a worksheet, I usually help them find the answers to the first two or three, and then leave them alone to complete the rest. This way, I have shown them how to look for the answers, but they are still responsible for completing the assignment.
2. Papers
Papers are assignments where students take a topic and are asked to write a cohesive report about the subject. Some require research, and others just understanding of the material.
I don’t mind helping with papers at all because they came easily to me in school, but they are difficult for my kids. I teach them tricks on how to find information and how to write effective transitions between paragraphs. We usually go over what they know about the topic, and do a little prewriting together. We list all of the information to be included in the paper, and then I have them write a rought draft.
When they are finished, I read and edit, finding grammar mistakes and places where they need to elaborate. Then I send them back to work on it again to prepare a second draft.
We usually repeat that process two or three times until they are satisfied with their work. I don’t insist on reading their papers, but if they need help, I certainly don’t refuse. If you are a writer, however, be careful not to get too picky about their content and grammar. They are only in junior high and high school, and their teachers don’t expect literary perfection.
3. Projects & Visual Aids
Projects usually consist of a written report, a visual aid, and perhaps other forms of media, such as a video or diagram. I never liked these types of assignments in school, and I think that my children hate them even more, because oftentimes the projects are just extraneous work that don’t really help students understand the material.
In elementary school, I helped quite a bit with projects, especially with art and reports. Diaramas were difficult, as well, and models for science caused an uproar in our house. We usually work on these together if my kids ask, and I don’t worry about too much involvement. Kids are typically very creative, and they’ll add their own spin when they come up with it.
