Is your child turning in late or incomplete homework assignments? Does he dread report cards, knowing that his low homework grades are pulling down good test scores?
To be sure students complete assignments on time, the first critical step is to bring home all the teachers' assignment requirements and instructions.
Successfully laying out complete assignment instructions before beginning homework is the first of several steps in getting organized for academic success.
The "3 tips" for helping your child get organized to write down, bring home, and effectively use accurate assignment descriptions are:
Tip 1 - Choose one specific place to always write assignments.
Many middle and high schools require students use a dedicated assignment book. If your child's school has no special assignment book, he can set aside a section at the front of a multi-subject binder to record all assignments.
One specific single assignment place creates stability and certainty. Assignments randomly scribbled on a math book page here and a class note sheet there may work for some students, but those having any difficulty in this area will need the stability of a single location for all assignments. This is similar to the habit many drivers develop of putting car keys in the same spot, so they don't spend time searching for them.
A single designated assignment sheet permits student and parents to more easily and quickly schedule needed homework time. When all the assignments are written on the same page (or two side by side pages) the student and parent can more easily see at a glance how much work is there to be done that evening. Missing or unclearly written assignment information causes delay in starting homework, and wasted time and frustration. This can reduce the student's ability to work efficiently and effectively on homework or projects.
The assignment book (or notebook containing assignment sheets) must be consistently placed in the student's multi-subject binder or a specific pocket in the book bag. Some students are able to keep track of the assignment book by placing it on top of a stack of books as they head for class. Students who have trouble keeping up with their assignment book MUST find a specific place it can be kept when going from class to class, and when going to or from school.
Tip 2 - The assignment book or multi-subject binder with assignment sheets should always go home with the student.
The "assignment book always goes home" rule is important, because parents may find that "no homework" means there was no specific written assignment, but neglects the fact that a big test is scheduled in two or three days and the teacher said homework for that evening was "Study for the test."
Building the habit of always bringing the assignment book or sheet home helps avoid accidentally leaving it behind on days when there is homework.
Tip 3 - The assignment book should be reviewed at the end of the homework period whether or not there were homework assignments for that evening.
A careful review helps parents spot gaps when the student may have incompletely or incorrectly recorded or completed assignments.
Review helps fine tune the student's schedule for completing specific homework, completing long-term projects and papers, or studying for tests or quizzes. This fine tuning on scheduling can pay big dividends in higher test and project grades and less stress studying for tests.
Successfully reviewing and storing completed homework, packing the assignment book and textbooks, and zipping the binder for the next day leads to a feeling of satisfaction as the day ends.
For a FREE teleseminar Q&A session featuring most frequently asked questions about academic success through better organizational skills, and to submit your question, go to http://www.askcolumbiajones.com . For more information on the full "No More Zeroes" strategy to help your child turn in complete assignments on time, go to http://www.nomorezeroes.com .
From Columbia Jones -- Creator of the Pace-It Instant Organizer System for Students
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