Homework Help

I've heard some creative excuses for missing homework over my 10+ years of teaching. Some noteworthy ones include “It got burned on the stovetop,” “Someone stole it” and, my personal favorite, “It flew out the window of my car on the way to school!” Ahh…the timeless issue of homework. Let’s face it—most kids don’t LOVE homework, and who can blame them?  I know I don’t want to come home and do more work after clocking in an 8-hour day. But it is a fact that they will have to do homework to make it through their schooling career.

Research Says…

A leader on the effects of homework is Harris Cooper, a neuroscience and psychology professor from Duke University. He and his colleagues analyzed dozens of homework studies over the course of years to evaluate its impact. Here are the basics of their findings:

• Homework at the elementary level has little impact on school achievement.
• Homework at the middle school level has modest benefits.
• Homework at the high school level has clear and significant benefits.
• Practice assignments do have an overall positive effect on class tests at all grade levels (even if slight at the elementary level).

Even though research suggests a low impact on student achievement at the elementary level, students need to develop homework skills for future success. The practice of homework supports content and skill reinforcement, confidence building and achievement. It also teaches responsibility, time management, organization and problem solving. These are all life skills that will support successful functioning in future career and family life.

How Much Is Enough?

Cooper says, “My feeling is that homework policies should prescribe amounts of homework consistent with the research evidence, but they should also give individual schools and teachers some flexibility to take into account the unique needs and circumstances of their students and families.”  From Cooper’s findings emerged his “10 minute rule,” which has been endorsed by the National Education Association. The “10 minute rule” equates 10 minutes of homework per day per grade level.

If traditional assignments from school aren’t sent home consistently, use this time to help your child engage other learning opportunities. These include anything from taking a hike to playing a card/board game or cooking something together.

Here is a general breakdown of homework formats by grade level:

Grades K-2

0-20 minutes

If assignments are sent home, avoid spending excessive amounts of time on them. A good maximum guideline is 20 minutes a night.

Parent Help: The best thing you can do to boost your child’s brainpower at this age is engage in activities such as cooking together, playing pretend, interacting as a family and, above all, reading! 

Luke Bockelman, father to second grader Isaias, makes sure to have high-interest reading materials available at all times for his son. “Reading is a part of our nightly routine regardless of whether there is homework or not. We want him to see the value in reading and make sure he has great reading materials to choose from.”  Creating solid reading habits is very important at this age.

Grades 3-5

0-50 minutes

Homework may increase in these grade levels. The expectation to master math facts, spelling words and reading skills will come into play at these grade levels, as well as the transition from “learning to read” to “reading to learn.”

Parent Help:  Be in tune with frustration levels and provide emotional support. Begin to encourage more independence and avoid rescue. Again, if assignments are not sent home, encourage and provide opportunities for reading, exploring, writing, interacting and problem solving, which are all beneficial.

Middle School

Up to 90 minutes

Cooper notes that students at this age may stop producing a return at the 90-minute point. Students will experience more assignments with the more distinct separation of subjects and teachers. Organization will be key at this age.

Parent Help:  Assist your child with establishing an effective organizational system to manage the homework from multiple classes and teachers. Provide a quiet location, uninterrupted time and emotional support.

High School

Up to 2 hours

The high school level has the strongest case for the positive benefits of homework. This level also has plentiful extracurricular demands that will require a step up in the time management and balance departments…a taste of the “real world.”

Parent Help:  Help your teen find a balance between it all and watch for signs of distress and anxiety. Shannon Thimmesch, mother of three teenagers, says, “For teenagers, homework needs to be solely their responsibility. I try to support them by helping them stay organized, especially with long-term projects, and assist them when they become stuck on a question; however, the less involved the parents are, the more independent the child can become.”

Bottom Line

When it comes to homework, let the school and teacher be your initial guides. Support your student and watch for signs of frustration, overload and even boredom. Communicate with the teacher to find a way to make homework effective and worthwhile for your child.

Amanda Doll’s current homework is changing diapers, doing laundry and chasing two little guys around her Lenexa homestead.

The Do’s and Don’ts of Homework:

• DO Establish a set time and location. DON’T Expect them to start immediately after school.
• DO Show enthusiasm toward their subjects. DON’T Show frustration with their pace or attitude.
• DO Remember what it was like to be their age. DON’T Compare to others.
• DO Help them find solutions. DON’T Provide the answers.
• DO Develop an incentive system if necessary. DON’T Set up homework in a punitive light.