Getting It Done - Homework Tips #2

In our last blog post, we discussed the importance of having your student know the variety of means by which her teachers may communicate about homework assignments.  Additionally, we touched on the idea of using the opportunity to determine the aforementioned to help your student learn to self-advocate and take ownership of knowing the information.

The next step in ensuring that your student is completing her work is confirming that she is aware of the many means by which she can record and access her assignments when she needs them at home.  As previously mentioned, one teacher may list assignments on a board, while another may verbally communicate what is to be done.  Still another may use the online resources a school has, while another may distribute homework calendars that cover a variety of timeframes, i.e one week, one sub-topic, one month, etc.

Ensuring that your student records or has access to her work given the multitude of ways her teachers may communicate depends on a combination of what they are doing and knowing what your student’s strengths and preferences may be.

If a teacher is writing things on a blackboard or whiteboard, your student can record her work by:

• writing it down in a planner
• making a note in a cell phone
• photographing the assignment using her cell-phone camera (school policy, permitting)

If a teacher is verbally communicating, your student can record her work by:

• writing it down in a planner
• recording it using a small digital recorder
• recording it using a cell-phone app
• recording it using a laptap application like OneNote or Notebook

If a teacher is using online resources, make sure you and your student know when new assignments will be available online.  Be sure to save your student’s login name and password in a safe, permanent place if she needs those to access her work.  If your student uses a tutor or homework club, check to see that the assignment is consistently available before your student’s scheduled appointment.

If a teacher is distributing homework calendars, it is essential that she have a consistent place in which to keep them such as a binder or folder.  Set an expectation and help your student develop the habit of consistent use. Knowing when each new homework calendar is issued can help you to help your student to verify that she has the latest information.  Creating a back-up copy is also useful if you can make one.

Additional means of recording assignments like using a “Smart Pen” or other assistive technology can be another way to ensure success in this department for students that are challenged by organization and attention issues.

Using any of the aforementioned means of recording work will take time to develop into a habit.  Remember that habits need to be practiced diligently, especially initially to have any hope of “taking hold.”  Work with your student to develop a plan for forming a habit of use of one or many of the aforementioned techniques.  Let her know that your  “checking,” especially in the beginning, is to help her form the habit and that you plan on checking less and less and she owns the habit and uses it consistently.

Got some other techniques?  Let’s hear them!

Next time, we’ll discuss a variety of ways that students can organize and transport work from and back to school.

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