commentary & parenting
[ ASK THE TEACHER ]
Ask the Teacher Homework overload, vocabulary woes and vacation disruptions Deb Krupowicz
I cannot believe the amount of homework that my second grader has. It seems to go on forever. I am constantly having to prod her to get it done. Isn’t second grade too young for hours of homework each evening?
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put in place. If, however, the teacher believes this homework load is a necessary component of second grade success, work with him or her and your child to develop a plan that will help your child achieve the desired output as efficiently as possible.
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My third grade son has weekly vocabulary tests that he refuses to study for. Even though his grades on these quizzes are terrible, he just will not work on learning the words. What can I do?
To find a reasonable solution to this issue, you must determine if your child is struggling academically or not managing her time well, or if her teacher makes these assignments as work to be completed at home. First collect some data to determine exactly how much homework your child has and in what academic areas. Every night for one week, make a list of the homework tasks your child is responsible for. Write down the subject area and the number of questions your child has to answer. Indicate the type of questions on the assignments (computation, problem solving, short answer, paragraph writing, etc.). Next to every task, record how much time each takes for your child to complete. At the end of the week, review the information you have collected. Determine how much time was spent on homework each evening and whether or not a particular subject area seemed to require more time than others. Look for trends. This information gives you a sound basis for a discussion with the teacher. Set up a meeting with the teacher, but refrain from starting with a judgment statement like, “I think second grade is way too young for two hours of homework every evening.” Instead, explain what you have observed. Ask the teacher if your child is struggling in a particular area or if managing time well at school is a challenge for your child. If either one of these issues is the explanation for the lengthy homework sessions, work with the teacher to develop some strategies to 44 INDYSCHILD.COM · DECEMBER 2013
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The key to your son’s success on vocabulary tests is to determine a method of studying that he finds effective. The traditional way of studying vocabulary by putting words and their definitions on index cards still works for some students; for others it is just a frustration. Free websites like quizlet.com or SpellingCity.com provide an easy way to turn vocabulary study into a game or challenge. Puzzlemaker.com allows you to build crossword puzzles, word searches and other games to make study time fun. You can create these, or your child can create them himself. Be sure to proofread his work before submitting the word lists and definitions so that your child is not studying incorrect information! Research shows that the brain retains new words best when associated with a picture. Have your child make a poster or draw pictures that illustrate the words on his vocabulary list. Or, try playing a game of Pictionary with your son, challenging him to guess the words you draw.