| As a classroom teacher, I used to hear | | | | your parents if they have anything planned |
| excuses from a few students every morning | | | | for you for the week. This is the time to |
| about why they did not have their homework. | | | | learn about dentist appointments, birthday |
| Most of them had to do with extra-curricular | | | | dinners, your brother's baseball games, etc. |
| commitments: "I couldn't do my homework last | | | | It is always better to know about these |
| night because I had a baseball game." Or, "I | | | | things ahead of time, rather than at the last |
| had to go to my brother's basketball game." | | | | minute. |
| Some of the excuses were due to family | | | | |
| obligations: "We had to take my grandma out | | | | -Plan ahead. If you have a big assignment due |
| for her birthday last night." The best excuse | | | | on Thursday and you have a basketball game on |
| I ever heard... "I couldn't do my homework | | | | Wednesday night, be sure to do the assignment |
| last night because I had to go with my mom to | | | | on Tuesday evening. |
| get her nails done." | | | | |
| | | | -Keep all homework in one place. Do not stash |
| Many teachers would agree that the number one | | | | your math homework in a text-book, your |
| reason students fail classes is due to | | | | science homework in a notebook, and your |
| missing homework. Creating excuses for | | | | English homework in your bookbag or you will |
| homework lowers your grades and encourages a | | | | spend a lot of time just looking for your |
| very bad habit for your future. | | | | homework. Keep all papers in ONE folder to |
| | | | save the search time and complete your |
| The single reason you go to school is to | | | | homework faster. |
| learn and prepare for your future; whether | | | | |
| you will someday have a career, manage a | | | | -Make use of "down" time. You spend a lot of |
| home, or both, you will need to take | | | | time each day waiting...waiting for teachers |
| responsibility. One of the main reasons | | | | to take attendance, for classmates to settle |
| teachers give homework is to help you | | | | down, for your bus to come, or for an |
| exercise your responsibility skills. You will | | | | appointment. Tackle your homework during |
| not last long in a job if you tell your boss, | | | | these times. Maybe you can get three math |
| "Sorry I couldn't get that report done. I had | | | | problems done while your teacher takes |
| to play soccer last night." You will not keep | | | | attendance. Perhaps you can do your science |
| a roof over your head for long with excuses | | | | homework on the bus ride home. A few minutes |
| like, "Sorry I couldn't pay my bills last | | | | here-and-there can quickly add up to 1 or 1.5 |
| week...I was busy getting my nails done." | | | | hours of free time later in the evening. |
| | | | |
| Rest, relaxation, and fun are all important | | | | -Use a timer. If you struggle to stay focused |
| elements in life, but there has to be a | | | | when doing your homework, challenge yourself |
| balance between fun and responsibility. You | | | | to be like Nike and "Just do it!" Set a timer |
| have to know your priorities. When you take | | | | for the amount of time you think you will |
| care of your most important priorities first, | | | | need to do an assignment and challenge |
| you will automatically have time for the "fun | | | | yourself to beat the timer. You may be |
| stuff!" | | | | surprised at how quickly you can finish your |
| | | | homework when you are focused. |
| Many adults never learn how to manage their | | | | |
| priorities and have a hard time keeping a | | | | **In Conclusion** |
| good balance in their lives. If you learn how | | | | |
| to manage your priorities NOW, you will have | | | | Of course, there will be times when other |
| a HUGE advantage when you are an adult. Not | | | | priorities have to trump homework; family |
| to mention the fact that you will improve | | | | illness, a special event, or an emergency are |
| your grades along the way! | | | | a few valid reasons for missing an occasional |
| | | | homework assignment. However, the average |
| **Action Plan** | | | | family experiences these exceptions very |
| | | | rarely! |
| There are several things you can do to manage | | | | |
| your time better and work around evening | | | | You have the power to work things out with |
| activities so that you can balance your | | | | your family and manage your time so that you |
| homework with fun: | | | | can balance work + fun. When you take care of |
| | | | important things first (like homework), the |
| -Communicate with your family. On Sunday, ask | | | | fun will follow! |