I can’t help my child with his/her homework…

...response from Amy Smith, Math teacher, Lester Prairie Schools

Homework, as a parent, do you just dread it?  I often hear at conferences, “But I can’t help him/her with their math homework” or ”Math is different.”  In my opinion math is not different, but some of the ways it is taught are new or different.  Kids are required to do more math at younger ages.  So to parents, it may look like math is different, but it is the same math.  Your child may be learning things at a younger age than you did.  There is a greater emphasis on Algebraic thinking at younger ages.  As many of you know, the state of Minnesota now requires that all 8^th graders pass Algebra.  This was not the case when many of today’s parents were in high school.

So, back to homework.  Yes!  You can help your child with his/her homework.  At Lester Prairie many students just need support at home to help them get their homework done.  Ask your child specific questions about the homework.  Provide the time and place for them to get their homework done.  Show them you care about their homework so they form a good habit of getting their homework done.  Getting it done is the first step.  

This year my 7th and 8th grade students are using a composition notebook for Math notes.  This is working better for most students.  Their notes are in one notebook and all the notebook gets used for is math notes.  It keeps their notes organized.  When your child does not know how to do their homework, ask them if they have looked at their notes.  Not everything is in their notes, but it is a place to get them (and maybe you) a start.  Often the student is just sitting not knowing how to do something.  Help them to see there are resources available to figure things out.   

For some topics, I have links on my page on the Lester Prairie High School’s web site. Go to High School 6-12, Academics, Mathematics, Amy Smith.  Click on Classes to see information and links for each class.  

I read an article from the National Council of Teachers of Math that gave some very good ideas about helping your child with their (remember it is their) homework.  The article, published in 2006, lists many questions to ask your child when challenged with helping get math homework done.  

Here are a few questions from the article.  

• Where do you think you should begin?
• Are there instructions or directions?  What do they say?
• What have you done so far?
• Can you tell me where you are stuck?
• Why don’t we look for some help on the Internet?

The article ends with “Remember, support homework-don’t do it!”  I agree and believe that with support most kids will be able to get their homework done and be successful in school.