I Don’t Help My Child with Homework

I hate homework. No, here’s a better statement: I loathe homework. I suppose that’s a pretty bold, maybe even a hypocritical statement to make, considering I was a former classroom teacher! Allow me to clarify: I believe there’s value in homework, either to practice what was learned in class because our brain’s muscle memory benefits from repetition, or to continue the learning process by applying what was learned much like revising an essay for better word choice or for better organization.

Ok, so a more specific statement is: I loathe doing homework. More accurately, I loathe doing my children’s homework. The truth is, only the person doing the homework can reap the benefits of doing the exercise, so I have resolved never to help my children with homework. Instead, I equip them to be problem-solvers. I ask a series of questions that enable them to take responsibility for their own learning. Here’s what I ask them:

Questions I Ask to Guide Math Assignments

Do you understand what the question is asking?

Most of the time, clarifying the terms or steps that need to be taken to solve the problem will put them on the right track to getting it right.

Do you need me to demonstrate an example?

Without solving their actual homework problem, I will walk them through the procedure of solving their problem. Once they understand the process, they can apply it to all other problems.

Can I direct you to another resource for help?

When children come to me for help, they see me as an expert on the subject. While this might work for elementary school subjects, this would simply be impossible when their studies get more advanced. They have to acknowledge other sources of authority on topics they are learning.

Questions I Ask to Guide Writing Assignments

This seems a bit confusing, can you read it out loud to me?

When kids hear their own writing, some of the errors in their writing will become apparent. If they are stumbling over their own reading, they will be able to tell which areas still need more clarification.

Can you explain what you mean in your own words?

Sometimes, they really can’t hear where their organizational flow or logical arguments are lacking. Take away the obstacles of writing by treating it like a conversation. When they explain their ideas verbally, take notes so they can see how they want to convey their ideas.

This is a great word here, but is there something better?

Children will use simple and general words because it’s easy. However, finding more apt words to describe their ideas and feelings (other than mad, sad, glad, for example) will be the mark of a sophisticated thinker. I aim to point out 2-3 words for them to reconsider so they get in the habit of evaluating words they use.

Here’s to lifelong, self-directed, problem solvers!

Jaime

Supporting Parents Through Conferencing and Newsletters During the Coronavirus School Closures

With thousands of students home from school because of the coronavirus, schools are hosting conference days for parents by phone and online. Through these meetings, parents meet with teachers to learn how they can support their children’s academic success at home. To prepare for these conference days, teachers compile diagnostic reading and math data and portfolios of students’ work to show the parents what their children need to learn and what they have achieved to date. We also provide parents with guidance on how they can help their children at home.

Newsletters for Parents

I created a winter newsletter that highlighted our second graders’ second semester updates. These included:

Summarizing the various math operations and strategies the students are learning to solve various math and word problems in class
Guidance on how students can help their parents shop at the grocery store by adding the total of ten items that are being purchased.
Reading assignments and strategies that students are learning to build independent reading stamina with diagnostic testing support to become more familiar with online test-taking skills
Guidance for parents to reinforce reading with their children at home for at least 20 minutes daily.
Added guidance on how parents can support their children’s writing at home by encouraging them to self-edit their work and read the various stories that their children have created.
Information about the various social studies and science modules that students will complete in class with follow-up research and experimentation at home.

How Parents Support Teachers and Students

As I work more closely with my students’ parents at home and through the school’s online system, I am humbled in how supportive they are in providing all students with essential resources for class projects and parties. The parents have gone beyond my expectations in trying to help me succeed with each and every student in my class.

Happy learning with your children!

Danielle

Mom Is on a Trip

While Kinji’s dad visited his son in the United States, his mom traveled to Thailand. When Kenji was with his father, he did not miss his mother because he was excited to spend this time with Dad and his relatives. Once I took care of my grandson at his home for four more days (beyond time spent with Dad?), Kenji commented that he missed his mom when playing because his mom was always there. I immediately acknowledged Kenji’s feelings about his mom’s absence. Through this encouragement, he returned to playing with his toys.

When mom was gone, we also talked with her on the phone. Initially, Kenji did not want to use the FaceTime feature when talking to his mom because he said it would make him sad. Eventually, Kenji decided to talk to his mom on FaceTime. During the conversation, he said it was hard to see his mom’s face and not be with her. After that phone call, we stayed busy until mom’s return with school and various outings.

Once Mom returned from her trip, Kenji was happy to have his mom around again. During the first few days after Mom’s return home, I limited my time with my grandson so he could spend quality time with his mom.

This experience taught our family that when Kenji was traveling with Dad and not in his daily environment, he is happy. But once Kenji returned home without his mom and daily routine, he really missed his mother. He was also happy at school because this was a regular activity without mom. As our family plans for Kenji’s upcoming trips overseas, we are considering how we can support him as he learns to live in a new country and the United States.

Happy travels!

Joyce

Helping Your Child Make Healthy Choices

Spring is a time for awakening, growth, and beautiful sunny days of blooming trees and flowers. It is also the time that our children are feeling excited about the final days of school and various spring events. We can help our children become grounded by asking them these questions:

How do you treat your friends and family?
What does your family or teacher tell you that helps you become happy and successful?
What are your accomplishments at home or school?
What is your legacy or your contribution to your family or classmates?
What type of support do you need from your family or teacher to achieve your legacy or contribution to your family or classmates?
Who has had the greatest impact on your life and how did he or she inspire you?

Family Dinner Discussions

Some families like to ask their children one of these questions each night when eating the family dinner. When you have younger children, it may be easier to discuss each question as part of your quality time together before bedtime. And other families like to include one of these questions each time they meet for a weekly family meeting. A weekly family meeting provides the family with an opportunity to:

Have family members discuss what is happening in their lives and brainstorm solutions on challenges
Discuss the upcoming week of family activities
Review the weekly chore list and adjust as needed for scheduling conflicts
Plan for upcoming family outings, vacations, and activities
Identify community service and church related activities that the family can participate in to give back to their community

Family Meetings

When organizing a family meeting, family members can rotate facilitating the meeting or taking notes. Much success this spring as you fully engage your family in a new beginning of growth and learning.

Mary Ann

Wonderful Experiences with Dad Across the Miles

Although Kinji’s dad works in Japan, my grandson thinks his relationship with his father is quite normal when he shares extended time with his father in the United States or in Japan. Between visits, their close relationship is maintained through regular FaceTime phone calls throughout the week. Ongoing phone conversations focus on:

Their daily life activities and Kinji’s new Lego creations
My grandson’s exciting adventures at school
Kenji’s participation in various afterschool programs including Karate and swimming
Math discussions on prime numbers, multiplication, and how to identify number patterns

When Kinji’s dad comes to visit in the United States, my grandson lives with him for several days. Because they regularly talk on the phone, my grandson and his dad are able to continue their discussions about daily life while also sharing memorable activities including:

Attending local football games
Going to the movies
Playing at parks
Eating dinners at various restaurants
Visiting with cousins and relatives
Building new Lego kits

Kinji’s recent visit with his dad was limited because his father was in the process of moving to Thailand for a new work assignment. This relocation to a new country is exciting for Kenji because he will be able to explore another country and culture with his father during his future extended trips overseas.

May our grandchildren and children cherish their many cultural adventures with family members around the world!

Joyce