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Parents and Homework

Cristina Parodi

Parent / Family Liaison

(858) 569-5410

San Diego County Office of Education

cparodi@sdcoe.net

www.sdcoe.net/lret2/family

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Your child’s education begins at home!

• Your interest in your child’s activities reinforces the importance of school.

• Education is a priority that involves the entire family.• Due to the demands of our current economy, your

child’s academic skills need to be at the competitive level.

• In order to be successful in this changing economy, your child must obtain high levels of knowledge in basic subjects such as: English, Mathematics, Science and Computers.

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Why is homework important?• Allows the student re-enforce the concepts that

have been taught in class.• Increases his/her curiosity in the class.• Helps students to develop good study habits and

positive attitudes.• Helps students to build responsibility and self-

discipline.• Keeps families informed about what their

children are learning and about the policies & programs of the teacher & school.

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Why is homework important?

• Explores subjects more fully than classroom time permits.

• Allows the students to get ready for the next day’s class.

• Students learn to use resources, such as libraries, computers and internet.

• Helps create greater understanding between families and teachers, and provides opportunities for increased communication.

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How much homework is enough?Homework is going to depend on the student’s ageand grade level. Research shows that homework iseffective when:

• It does not exceed 20 minutes per day for K-2 grade students.

• It does not exceed 30 to 60 minutes per day for 3-6 grade students.

• Junior high and high school students benefit from more extensive homework. The assignments vary from day to day.

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What can parents do at home?

• Read with your child 20-30 minutes everyday.

• Always have books, magazines and newspapers available at home.

• Make sure that your child see you reading at least once a day.

• If you are not an avid reader, share your childhood stories.

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What can parents do at home?• Control the time your child spends in front

of a TV.

• Provide time and a place for study, which will include the necessary resources such as paper, pencils, dictionary etc.

• Plan to meet with your child’s teacher- counselor to learn about the school’s expectations and how you may support the efforts.

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What can parents do at home?

• Learn about the District and State’s academic requirements.

• Find out about the programs that are available in your school and the community.

• Participate in the school committees such as PTA, ELAC, DELAC, SSC etc.

• Help your child with the homework assignments.• Guide your child through the assignment instead of

completing the homework for him/her.

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What can parents do at home?

• Make sure that homework reflects your child’s grade level.

• If your child does not understand an assignment and you sense frustration, help him/her write an explanation to the teacher indicating the frustration.

• Communicate with the teacher when an assignment is unclear or too difficult for your child.

• Recognize your child’s efforts for a homework well done.

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Your involvement and participation in your child’s homework, will improve the communication between the home and the school.

If the homework is too difficult, not only for your child but also for you, ask for tutorial services at the school, the library in your community, or a religious organization.

Encourage your child to participate in study groups.

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You understand the importance of education

Be involved!