Talk to Me Tuesday - Homework Help
Kid-Friendly Solutions, Talk To Me Tuesday, Kid-Friendly Solutions January 8th, 2008
Maybe I’m just a slacker parent, but I’m feeling a bit overwhelmed with homework lately. I’ve only got two in school and already the spelling words, reading minutes, and worksheets are starting to overwhelm me.
Part of my problem is that my kids are so young that most, if not all, of their homework requires adult supervision. For example, my third grade daughter is supposed to doing multiplication flash cards each night in addition to all her other work. I think we’ve done it three times since school started because I’m having a hard time squeezing it in amidst all my other nightly duties and I refuse to push back kid bedtime. In addition, when we do manage to squeeze the time in, she seems thoroughly bored by the whole flash card process. Frankly, I can’t say that I blame her. I’m kind of bored by the process too…which is probably another reason we do it so rarely. See? I told you I was a slacker Mom.
I’m hoping that a few of you experienced parents can help me out. Have you found any great ways to inject a little fun into the homework process? Additionally, have you come across any games, websites, or other alternatives that help your elementary-age kids manage homework on their own? Any suggestions you could offer on this topic would be fabulous. For those of you that comment, thanks - in advance - for passing it on.
January 9th, 2008 at 10:28 am
Do the flashcards in the car, at redlights or while waiting on a train to pass. We also played “M&M Math” - they got an m&m (or skittle) for every 3 cards (& later 5 cards) they answered correctly.
What you explained is honestly one of the reasons I love homeschooling. Having someone else be in charge of how you child learns stinks! I have the freedom to pick curriculum I know will interest my kids and we all really enjoy it. Not to mention, having your little bit of quality time with your kids be consumed with boring homework. Since my kiddos learn 1:1, it doesn’t take as much time as it would in a school setting, so we have free time to have fun and make memories together. Pray about it!
I know how hard it is in you position.
January 9th, 2008 at 2:50 pm
I wasn’t a real big flashcard learner; until I needed multiplication tables for practical applications, I had no use for them.
I finally ‘mastered’ my multiplication tables because of daily timed tests in class. I had to write the ones I got wrong 5xEach, and doing so branded them into my brain, thus enabling me to do better on the tests. My mom who is a 3rd grade teacher gives the multiplication timed test all year long…and even sends a blank copy home for parents to copy and use.
So instead of flash cards which I hate, why not focus on a number at a time; have mini-assignments all in a packet together…5xEach, What’s missing? 5x__=15, A standard worksheet, etc, so that she is forced to write it out. Then when finished, she has to take a progressively cumulative timed test. Once you’ve gone through the 12’s, you can then continuing following up with a weekly timed test (during the summer, etc) to keep it all fresh in her brain. Oh yeah, and did I mention prizes?
This way you can do all the prep ahead of time, and she can work at her own pace…all without the boredom of flash cards.
January 9th, 2008 at 4:44 pm
I hate flashcards, too. We sometimes play “battle” with regular cards. I take the face cards out of the deck and instead of high card winning, whoever says the product of the two numbers first, get it. Of course, I give her a little time before I say my answer.
Another thing we use is “Timez Attack”. It a free game I downloaded. They go around a castle and “attack” beasties by typing in the correct answer to multiplication problems. If you search for it on a browswer, I’m sure it’ll come up!
January 9th, 2008 at 10:07 pm
My kids respond well to computer games. I have found several at Target or very inexpensively through “software of the month club”, although there is not really a club to join. At least there didn’t used to be. My kids earn tickets (roll of raffle tickets at walmart,$4) for doing extra homework (flashcards, finishing a chapter book), chores or being caught doing something great, (ie. doing what was asked the first time, behaving in a store, staying in bed at bedtime…). They can lose them for certain things as well. They use the tickets in our ticket store(mostly contains extra priveledges) and love it. One child earned a predetermined amount of tickets when she could pass off her times tables flashcards without missing one answer. I think most parents hate homework and you must doing pretty good at keeping up or you would never have time to help all of us with your great website!
January 11th, 2008 at 11:08 am
Oh Maria! I hear ya! I did okay with Emily (I think). I’m a terrible homework mom, now. I could tell you homework horror stories.
Computer math games were big when Emily was little, but our schedule doesn’t allow as much computer time as it used to, but MathBlaster and Jumpstart are some I can remember using. It is something they can do on their own and those games are fun. I WISH I could make homework fun. Instead I think homework is a pain. The timed tests were okay for us. I should have done more with Amanda. I would make up tests and/or make copies if those are sent home, too. But let me just add that Amanda’s first grade teacher (in Erie) didn’t like math and so rarely did math. Emily’s first grade teacher (in Erie) was a tough math teacher. The difference= Amanda is slow in math, Emily rocks! It’s important so stick to it. Good luck!
January 11th, 2008 at 2:16 pm
Yeah—so I’m reluctant to post…I’m not a mom, but I am a first grade teacher. So, as the giver of annoying homework, I can see where you’re coming from! Rest assured though– I’ve never once thought “slacker mom” when a kid didn’t return his homework the very next day, or get all their weekly reading done…any teacher worth her salt understands the strains on home/family time and should work with you to fit your child’s needs and your time budget!
Short of replacing your nightly lullaby with a cheesy math rap, a lot of practice can be included into, or between conversations or activities. Like I said, these are just some ideas I’ve given to my student’s parents when they ask…because somehow, they think I know what I’m talking about?!…
Share Flashcards: Make flashcards more fun by splitting the deck and having your kid and yourself quiz each other. After a while, try timing yourselves and seeing how long it takes you each day to flip through a deck! *I also LOVE the “battle” card idea Renee!
Practice Box: Set up games, consumable workbooks, reading in a plastic bin for kids to pull out during established practice time. Check over the box when they’re through to assess time well spent. (Find great resources at teacher supply stores, or on the computer!)
Fun Writing: Spice up the repetition of math, or spelling review by giving your child a whiteboard, tin foil, shaving cream, soap, sidewalk chalk, etc. to report their answers…don’t know why it makes such a motivational difference…but it does!
Play Math: Repeat multiplication products in order as you bounce a ball, jump rope, shoot baskets, play hopscotch, etc.
Computer Practice: There are tons of online game sites to help your child practice various skills…we use “fun school” at school here! It’s a good one–leveled, simple directions, never had a kid get bored of it!
Teacher Mom: Establish a routine before homework time where you can look at assignments before they are attempted. Review what needs to be done before they start, and if necessary, do a few problems or questions with them to get them going. This motivates and refreshes their understanding before the frustration sets in. It also guards against being presented with a worksheet full of incorrect answers that takes double the time to erase, explain, and redo! If the assignment is a long term project or paper, post it on a bulletin board and plan with your student when different parts will be completed on a nearby calendar.
Meckmom School Planner!!!: I used the daily planner template found on this site and placed one in the back of my student’s binders, laminated, with a dry-erase crayon in the pencil pouch. It includes important things my kids need to remember for the next day of school, (test tomorrow, library, p.e., field trip, homework tonight, etc.)This can be reviewed at the end of the day and erased as tasks are planned for &/or completed!
Backpack Dump: Make it a daily ritual to come home after school and, under parental supervision, “dump” the bag out on their beds. Take out binders, books, papers, etc. in order to keep it organized, clean, and efficient. Use the school organizer to help your child prepare their bag for the next day. When the bag is all packed up again…meaning, completed homework and reading check-offs included, you may want to reward them with…something…
I wouldn’t stress it too much! Maria, you’re already a pro at organizing your time and building routines that make your home clean, efficient, and conducive to learning—I’d be surprised if that’s not rubbing off on your kiddos already, making the responsibility and process of homework easier—especially down the road! I know putting your tips into practice in my classroom has made my teaching tons easier! Thank you! Love you! Keep posting!
January 12th, 2008 at 10:38 pm
Here are a few homework shortcuts that have helped me so far with my four (11,7,5,2.) Silliness works here so we used the Multiplication Rocks CD to help my daughter master her facts. (There is a silly song for each number.) For vocabulary words, I have a simple template that I print off the words and definitions on cardstock to make a quick memory game. (It’s really just 2 inch cubes that I cut apart.) For daily reading, I have them read to each other sometimes. The olders enjoy reading a story to the youngers and the younger like showing the olders what she can do.
January 13th, 2008 at 4:31 pm
When my children were learning multiplication, the teacher had a large plastic sheet on the floor which was drawn to resemble a calculator. She would call out the problem, then the students would jump out the math problem and add the answer. For 2×7=14, they would jump from foot to foot on 2, x, 7, =, and then use both feet on the 1 & 4 to show they knew the answer. Much slower than flash cards and I didn’t think it worked well in a group setting. However, the kids really enjoyed it and it might be a fun way to learn individually with Mom.
January 16th, 2008 at 12:41 am
A math tutor gave me the following idea. All you need is protective sheet covers, a dry erase marker, a timer and some practice timed tests from your child’s math teacher (or make your own–I made my own in Excel).
Insert the test into protective sheets and let your child use a dry erase marker to write the answers. (The answers wipe away when you’re ready for the next test.)
We found this helpful for my daughter and son. At first we would just practice the multiplication, but soon we started timing. My kids always wanted to beat their last time (& thought it was so cool to use the dry erase marker).
February 4th, 2008 at 11:05 pm
For some random practice, My kids like to shake 2 dice and multiply. Regular dice only give you up to 6X but you can get multi-sided dice at educational stores. It shakes things up hee,hee!
February 6th, 2008 at 1:46 pm
If you can get a copy of “Games for Math” by Peggy Kaye, you will have lots of games that teach kids math. She uses everyday objects you have around the house.She always figures out a way to make it fun for the parent as well as the child, so you don’t get bored playing the game. She has some excellent games for learning the multiplication tables. And the kids enjoy learning because they want to play the games. Nancy