Assigning
homework to students is a task in itself. You have to make sure that you
haven’t assigned too much or too little, not to mention trying to get your
students’ parents involved. American families are usually busy shuffling their
kids from one place to another, worrying about cooking dinner, and leaving
their kids to fend for themselves when it comes to homework. Here are some
steps to take to make the upcoming school year a success when it comes to the
involvement of your students’ parents during homework time.
1.
Ask
There
is no better time to give encouragement or ask for help when it comes to home
learning than at the beginning of the school year. You are more likely to get
your students’ parents attention at back-to-school night or using the
back-to-school letters that are sent home. Invite parents to engage in your
child’s learning experience throughout the year
through projects, experiments, field trips and nightly homework. Let them
in on what your child will be studying and explain to them how important they
are in their child’s academic development.
2.
Teach
Just
like it took time for you to learn how to be effective teachers to your
students, your students’ parents have to learn how to be effective teachers to
their kids. Provide parents with a sheet of guidelines and advice on how to
best help their child excel at home learning. Some tips might include: setting
a regular time for homework, picking a designated place, removing distractions,
and showing interest in assignments.
3.
Assign
Some
parents make their kids feel like they are too busy to help with homework. If
there is a section of homework that is mandatory for parents, there is a better
chance of parents making time to help their kids with homework. For instance,
have your students ask their parents about an old family recipe that has been
passed down for generations. Let your students write the steps to the recipe
using sequencing (first, second, last, etc.) and share it with the class.
4.
Share your observations
When
with their peers, students usually open up and share their interests a lot
more. This means participating in games they might not play at home and trying
new things. If you notice that your student enjoys a certain game or method of
learning, share it with your students’ parents at the end of the month. Explain
new ways they can incorporate the teaching methods used in the classroom in
their own home.
5.
Give feedback
After
some weeks of implementing the new changes in and out of the classroom, give
some feedback! Whether it’s through a newsletter personalised for each child or
a mini parent-teacher conference, let your students’ parents know what’s
working, what’s not, and how each party can make your students’ learning
experience even better.
So
make an effort to challenge your students and parents this upcoming school
year. If you’ve given it a try already, what do you find works the best? If you
haven’t tried it yet, which tip do you think will make the most impact on your
students’ learning?
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