| Complete Homework Assignments - 3 Tips for | | | | that can't be found, or can't be read |
| Academic Organization and No More Zeroes | | | | frustrates both parents and students, wastes |
| | | | time, and delays getting started on actually |
| Copyright © 2008 Columbia Jones | | | | completing assignments. This can reduce the |
| | | | student's ability to work efficiently and |
| Are late or incomplete homework assignments | | | | effectively on homework or projects. |
| causing your child to get zeroes or low | | | | |
| grades on his homework? Students with low | | | | The assignment book (or notebook containing |
| homework grades often can't achieve better | | | | assignment sheets) must be consistently |
| than mediocre grade averages, even if they | | | | placed in the student's multi-subject binder |
| are achieving top scores on their exams and | | | | or a specific pocket in the book bag. Some |
| classroom work. | | | | students are able to keep track of the |
| | | | assignment book by placing it on top of a |
| To be sure students complete assignments on | | | | stack of books as they head for class. |
| time, the first critical step is to bring | | | | Students who have trouble keeping up with |
| home all the teachers' assignment | | | | their assignment book MUST find a specific |
| requirements and instructions. | | | | place it can be kept when going from class to |
| | | | class, and when going to or from school. |
| Successfully laying out complete assignment | | | | |
| instructions before beginning homework is the | | | | Tip 2 - The assignment book or multi-subject |
| first of several steps in getting organized | | | | binder with assignment sheets should always |
| for academic success. | | | | go home with the student. |
| | | | |
| Here are three tips to help your child | | | | The "assignment book always goes home" rule |
| develop the organizational habits of | | | | is important, because parents may find that |
| accurately writing down, bringing home, and | | | | "no homework" means there was no specific |
| effectively using directions the teacher gave | | | | written assignment, but neglects the fact |
| for homework assignments: | | | | that a big test is scheduled in two or three |
| | | | days and the teacher said homework for that |
| Tip 1 - Designate a special place (a notebook | | | | evening was "Study for the test." |
| or page) where all assignments will be | | | | |
| written. | | | | Building the habit of always bringing the |
| | | | assignment book or sheet home helps avoid |
| Many middle and high schools require students | | | | accidentally leaving it behind on days when |
| use a dedicated assignment book. If your | | | | there is homework. |
| child's school has no special assignment | | | | |
| book, he can set aside a section at the front | | | | Tip 3 - The assignment book should be |
| of a multi-subject binder to record all | | | | reviewed at the end of the homework period |
| assignments. | | | | whether or not there were homework |
| | | | assignments for that evening. |
| One specific single assignment place creates | | | | |
| stability and certainty. Scribbled | | | | A careful review helps parents spot gaps when |
| assignments taken down on whatever book page | | | | the student may have incompletely or |
| or note sheet is handy may work for a few | | | | incorrectly recorded or completed |
| students, but for those who can't readily | | | | assignments. |
| produce assignment information that way, the | | | | |
| stability of a single location is essential. | | | | Review helps fine tune the student's schedule |
| This is similar to the habit many drivers | | | | for completing specific homework, completing |
| develop of putting car keys in the same spot, | | | | long-term projects and papers, or studying |
| so they don't spend time searching for them. | | | | for tests or quizzes. This fine tuning on |
| | | | scheduling can pay big dividends in higher |
| A single designated assignment sheet permits | | | | test and project grades and less stress |
| student and parents to more easily and | | | | studying for tests. |
| quickly schedule needed homework time. When | | | | |
| all the assignments are written on the same | | | | Successfully reviewing and storing completed |
| page (or two side by side pages) the student | | | | homework, packing the assignment book and |
| and parent can more easily see at a glance | | | | textbooks, and zipping the binder for the |
| how much work is there to be done that | | | | next day leads to a feeling of satisfaction |
| evening. The alternative, assignment notes | | | | as the day ends. |