the power hour of homework survey - eric - … booklet describes the power hour of homework program...

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ED 349 345 UD 028 650

TITLE The Power Hour of Homework surve}. PUB DATE 91 NOTE 27p. PUB TYPE Guides - Non-Classroom Use (055)

EDRS PRICE MF01/PC02 Plus Pos~age. DESCRIPTORS Black Students; Elementary School Students;

Elementary Secondary Education; Guidelines; Hispanic Americans; Homework; Pal."'ent Attitudes; Parent Participation; Parent Role; ~rograrn Implemencation; Secondary School Students; Statistical Data; Student Attitudes

ABSTRACT This booklet describes the Power Hour of Homework

program for elementary school through secondary school students, including tips on implementing the program at home (i.e., checking homework, talking to the teacher, determining the correct amo~nt of homework time for individual students) and survey responses to questions from parents and students. The Power Hour is approximately l hour set aside at a definite time each day during which a student is encouraged to work in a quiet place with parents motivating students but not giving too much help. The booklet offars a self-test with questions for students and parents. Large percentages of parents say they are informed about and review their children's homework regularly. Most parents set aside a spec~fic time for homework review, think that their children's homework load is fair, and feel schools can improve. Parent.s usually understand their children's homework assignments. Parents ha~e many suggestions about improving homework habits, and students have many suggf~S."C.J.uns aooct making homework more interesting. Each d&y, most younger students spend 0-2 hours on homework, and most older students spend 1-3 hours en homework. Most students do homework at home. Mos~ younger students get homework help from parents. Most older students get homework help from parents or friends. Most students think homework assignments are challenging and worthwhile. Teachers encourage parents and students to practice the booklet's tips for making the school experience more rewarding. (JB)

Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document.

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\x;'HAT IS THE POWER P0UR OF HOJ\IIE\V'ORK:

The Power Hour is an exciting new way to look at the time a student spends at home building upon what's been learned in class. What happens at home is a key part of homework.

Students still get all of their values at home, including a love for learning. The single biggest influence on a child's ability to learn is active, individual parental involven1ent. Parents should know the homework policy of their child's teacher and nlake it clear they firmly suppo!'t that polic..y at home.

Power Hour tips for parents should include the following: .

Set a definite thne for homework each day. Parents should decide which hours are homework hours - say 4-5 p.m. or 7-8 p.m. Then. students can pick which hour they want to 1nake their "Power Hour."

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\"X'HAT IS Tl-IE PO\\!T:H HOUR OF HO~lE\\.ORK?

Set a definite place for homework at home. A quiet, well- lighted place is best, with no TV, radio or other distrac

tions.

Relieve children of other responsibilities. Don't expect students to do chores during their Power Hour.

.. 3 .. .,

"Help me do it myself." Parents should motivate but not give too much help. For example, show how one problem might be solved and then let your child work alone for a time before helping again. This builds self-confidence.

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Check homework after completion. If the smdents homework is beyond a parent's schooling, ask an older brother or sister or another relative to help. Review homework. praise good work, discuss mistakes. and ways to improve.

Talk to tb.e teacher about homework. Communicating with your child's teacher is a good way to know what is expected and how your child is doing. Encourage your children to talk to their teachers wher, help is needed.

The Power Hour isn't just an hour~ Each child is different, so individual needs will vary. Suggested minimum times for homework are:*

KINDERGARTEN OCCASIONAL 15 MINUTE ASSIGNMENTS

GRADES 1-3 30 MINUTES

GRADES 4-6 45 MINUTES

GRADES 7-8 9CTMINUTES

GRADES9-12 150MINUTES

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source: Chicago Board of Education. 1988

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AMOCO CORPORATION'S

POWER HOUR OF HOMEWORK SURVEY

PARENTS' RESPONSES

INVOLVEMENT

Large percentages of parents say they are informed about and review their chi!dren's homework regularly.

Are you informed about your child's weekly homework assignments?

25 0

~ Do you frequently ~lk to your child about his/her homework responsibilities?

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Do you request your child to show you his/her homework daily?

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0 25 50

AMOCO CORPORATION'S


PARE\"TS. RESPO~SES

Most purents also set aside a specific time for homeworK review. _

Do you have a certain time of day set aside specifically for homework review?

' . 0 75 10050

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How many times per week do you sit with your child and review his/her homework assignments?

75 1000 25 50

8 7

AMOCO CORPORATION'S


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AMOCO CORPORATION'S POWER HOUR OF HOMEWORK SUP.VEY

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PARE:\TS'' RESPO:\SES

AMOUNTOFHQME~pRK

Most parents think their children shomework l0ad is fair.

Do you think your child :-loes an adequate amount of homework for his/her grade level?

Do you feel the teacher encourages extra homework?

9

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AMOCO CORPORATION'S


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RESPO~SES iJ_\RE\Ts

IMPROVING HOMEWORK HABITS

Parents have many suggestions on improving hon1ework habits

What can parents do to h'-!lp their child improve his/her homework habits?

0 25 so 75 100

OTHER RESPONSES

More suppo1t, encouragement, and incentives

Giving children more help and tutoring

More communications between teacherparent and teacher-child

Less TV. radio, telephone, play time, etc.

10

AMOCO CORPORATION'S POWER HOUR OF HOMEWORK SURVEY

PAHENTS' RESPONSES

SCHOOL'. SYSTEM APPR.ti,sA. . . Most pJrents feel schools can improve.

How do you feel about the school system in your communi

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AMOCO CORPORATION'S


STl'DE:'\TS' RESPO>::-:.ES

TIME SPENT. ON HiMEWOftl<

Most vounger students .:pend 0-2 hours

on homeworn. ivlosr older students spena

hours en ilomeworn.

4..14 Years of Age

On average. how many hours per day do you spend doing homework?

0 25 50 75 100

15 Years of Age and Older

100

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0 25 50 75

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WHERE HOMEW6RK IS DONE

Most students do homework at home.

414 Years of Age

Where do you usually do your homework?

0 25 50


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HELP WtTH HOMEWORK

Students usually need help with homework.

4-14 Years of Age

Do you sometimes need help with your homework?

25


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AMOCO CORPORATION'S


STl"DE:\TS'' RESPO:.JSES

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Most younger students rPceive homework help from parents. Most older students receive homework help from parents or friends.

414 Years of Age

Ifyou sometimes need help wi.th homework. who do you usually get help from?

15 V~ars of Age and Older

AMOCO CORPORATION'S


STCDE:\"Ts RESPONSES

0 25 50 75 100

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'"'Tl"DE>:Ts RESPO\'SES

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FEELINGS ABOUT HOMEWOR

Students were asked how they felt about ryp1cal homework ass_1gnrPenrs. Most younger studenrs thought homework assignments :ha/Iengmg.

4-14 Years of Age

Too Easy

0 25 so 75 100

Builds on what I learned in class

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Younger students also felt that homework assignments were worthwhile.

414 Years of Age

Just busywork

A waste of time

Toohard

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0 25 50 75

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100

100

100


STUDENTS' RESPONSES

(continued)

Older students also found homework challenging and that it built on what was learned in class.


TooEasy

25 50

Challenging

25

Builds on what I learned in class

50

AMOCO CORPORATION'S


STUDENTS' RESPONSES

18

19

0 25

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Alarge percentage ot older students found homework worthwhile.


Just busywork

0 25 50 75

A waste of time

0 25 so 75

Toohard

AMOCO COHPORATION'S POWER HOUR OF HOMEWORK SU~VEY

STCDE>:Ts RESPC)>JSES

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100

100

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Sl cc~ESTIC):\S f()R TEACI-IERS

STUDENT SRESPONSES

Both younger and older swdents have many suggestions ro make homework more mreresrmg.

414 Years of Age

How can your teacher make homework more interesting for you?

OTHER ANSWERS: ,

Give More Homework (5%)

Make H01nework More Challenging ( 4%)

Not To Give Homework ( 4%)

Give Less Ho1nework (4%)

Receive More Teacher Help (3%)


Explain Homework More (9%)

Relate Homework to Real World (6%)

Make Homework More Challenging ( 4%)

Use More Group Projects (3%)

Not to Give Homework (3%)

ADDITIONAL SlTGGESTIONS

FOR PARENTS A:\D TEACI-IERS

Teachers encourage both parents and students to practice the following "tips" to nake the school experience arnore rewarding one for everyone.

Attend School Events

Be a School Volunteer

Provide Study Area

Visit with Teachers

Supervise Homework

Thank the Teachers

Listen and Learn

Do your Homework

Participate in Class

Make Time for Homework

Study with Parents

Thank your Teachers

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POWER HOUR OF HOMEWORK

PARENT'S SURVEY

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POWER HOUR OF HOMEWORK STUDENT SURVEY

STUDENTS QUESTION~

On average, how many hours per day do you spend each day doing homework?

Less than 1 hour 12 hours

2-3 hours More than 3 hours

Where do you usually do your homework?

Home School Library Friend's home

Do you sometimes need help with your

homework?

YES NO

If you sometimes need help with homework, who do you usually get help from?

MOTHER FATHER BROTHER OR SISTER

FRIENDS SISTER OTHER

For each word/phrase below, please circle the one that best describes how you feel about your typical homework

assignn1ent.

Tooeasv AGREE NEITHER AGREE DISAGREE

NOR DISAGREE

Challenging DISAGREE AGREE NEITHER AGREE

NOR DISAGREE

Builds on what I learn in class AGREE NEITHER AGREE DISAGREE

NOR DISAGREE

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POWER HOUR OF HOMEWORK

STUDENT SURVEY

[ust busywork AGREE NEITHER AGREE DISAGREE

NOR DISAGREE

A waste of time AGREE NEITHER AGREE DISAGREE

NOR DISAGREE

Too hard AGREE NEITHER AGREE DISAGREE

NOR DISAGREE

How can your teacher make homework more interesting for you?

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AMOCO CORPORATION. A COMPANY THAT CARES

Amoco's conunitment to promoting educational excellence in the nation s schools and universities stems from our belief that a highly educated and motivated work force is America's greatest asset. It is no exaggeration to say that the future of American industry depends on how well the nation prepares future generJtions to meet the challenges and complexities of the global marketplace.

To he!p foster the educational achieverients and professional aspirJti~s of young people, Amoco has for many years been a strong supporter of innovative programs that produce positive. long-term refnlts from the elementary grades through the most advanced doctoral degree programs. Through the not-for-profit Amoco Foundation, Amoco contributes to numerous progr.ims aimed at maintaining high standards of academic achievement at colleges and universities.

Recognizing that minorities will continue to play a greater role in the work place, Amuco makes a special effort to encourage minority students to take math and science cours,~s that will prepare them to earn college degrees in science and engineering.

Turning young people on to the joys and rewards of education is just one facet of Amoco's commitment to the conununities where we operate.. We have high hopes for the next generation of managers, scientists, educators. and leaders. Most of all, we care about the future of America and that future rests in the hopes and aspirJtions of America's children.

For more information about Amoco's Power Hour campaign, contact:

Community and Urban Affairs Department Amoco Corporation 200 East Randolph Drive Mail Code 3704 Chicago, IL 60601

Cl

Copyright 1991

vO 02q, 6'f"O

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Amoco's Power Hour Program

Author(s): Com..'llunitv & Urban Affairs - Amoco Cornoration

Corporate Source: Publication Date:

Gene Cartwright/Iris Cross 9/88

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What is the Poweer Hour of Homework?AMOCO Corporation's Power Hour Homework Survey Suggestions for TeachersPOWER HOUR OF HOMEWORK .PARENTS SURVEY .POWER HOUR OF HOMEWORK .PARENT'S SURVEY .POWER HOUR OF HOMEWORK .STUDENT SURVEY .AMOCO CORPORATION. A COMPANY THAT CARES REPRODUCTION RELEASE .