The Homework Blog

Mar 14, Contribute To Family Homework Answers

Sun, 14 Mar 2010 12:21:18 GMT

Homework Answers, Tips, Advice & Help for Kids & Their Parents.

Dec 7, Sleep for Your Kids and This Site

Mon, 07 Dec 2009 14:57:56 GMT

Please check out this article about how sleep benefits kids. How long and how often have I been saying this? Anyway, on another note, tomorrow this site will be no more. I have had a great time building Family Homework Answers, and, hopefully, I have helped a few students and their parents over the last year and a half. Stay in touch! familyhomeworkanswers@gmail.com

Dec 3, You Think You Got Problems? Try Doing Your Kid's College Applications

Thu, 03 Dec 2009 02:35:31 GMT

Wow- what parents will do for their children...

Dec 2, Homework Manifesto

Wed, 02 Dec 2009 15:03:50 GMT

The Homework Manifesto states what teachers and parents believe and are committed to doing about homework. Sign it!

Dec 1, Homework and After School Programs

Tue, 01 Dec 2009 23:45:53 GMT

Should your child do homework at her after-school program or wait until she gets home?

Nov 23, Happy Thanksgiving! (Eat Turkey, Not Homework)

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 21:50:26 GMT

Are your kids off this week or just for a couple of days? Regardless, your family should have a vacation from homework, don't you agree? Check out my article and see what you can do to make it happen...

Nov 20, Call The Teacher First!

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 05:47:04 GMT

What do you do when your child comes home and tells you that her teacher did or said something "crazy?" Before you call the principal, call the teacher first!

Nov 19, Let's Import THIS from Canada...

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:36:39 GMT

Wait, let me get this straight: students only do homework in their weak subject areas? They have the time and the choice to do what's best? No more hours of mind-numbing busy work? What you talkin' 'bout, Willis? This makes way too much sense.

Nov 14, Sleep and Homework!

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 02:09:10 GMT

I've been saying for years (and as recently as Oct. 20th) kids need sleep more than homework. Here's an article from SF Gate that backs me up...

Nov 10, Don't Forget About Weekly Tests and Quizzes

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 21:53:56 GMT

Here are some quick tips to share with students...

Nov 4, Missing Shoes & Being Late for School

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 03:10:16 GMT

Check out my guest blog post about why it's not okay to be late to school...

Oct 29, If Possible, BothParents Should Attend Parent-Teacher Conferences

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 20:54:04 GMT

Whether divorced (like me) or just super-busy (like almost everybody), both parents should attend parent-teacher conferences. First of all, nothing is more important than your children's happiness and success. Secondly, you just aren't that busy...

Oct 28, A Great Homework Rule

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 16:32:38 GMT

Rule # 401. You can do your homework after you finish playing outside.

Oct 20, Put Your Kids to Bed! (they'll thank you later)

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 03:43:21 GMT

Kids need sleep. A lot of sleep. Are your children getting enough?

Oct 14, Breakfast Really Is the Most Important Meal of the Day

Wed, 14 Oct 2009 13:52:47 GMT

What did your kids have for breakfast this morning? Find out why it matters...

Oct 12, What Kids Worry About

Mon, 12 Oct 2009 18:17:11 GMT

According to this article in the Wall Street Journal based on letters from children aged 5-12 to magazine Highlights for Children, kids' #1 worry is about schoolwork- including doing homework, studying for tests and completing projects. It's sad, but I can't say I'm surprised, which is one reason why I spend so much time talking about how to study in my Homework Organization & How to Study Video E-Course for Intermediate, Middle and High School Students.

Oct 7, It's Backpack Time...

Wed, 07 Oct 2009 21:02:26 GMT

Check out my post and link about getting and keeping your child's backpack in tip-top shape...

Sep 30, Teach Your Children to Really Finish Their Homework

Wed, 30 Sep 2009 15:08:53 GMT

How do your children know when they have really finished their homework? When they have to step over it on their way out the door! Find out what I'm talking about on this blog post...

Sep 27, Homework Organization in 5 Days:
Info, Tips & Advice for Parents

Sun, 27 Sep 2009 21:49:31 GMT

Get 5 Days of Homework Organization Info, Tips & Advice

Sep 24, When Math Homework Is Too Hard for Parents

Thu, 24 Sep 2009 19:47:24 GMT

You can no longer help your child with her math homework- has it happened to you yet? I've written about this sad-yet-funny phenomenon before. Here's someone else's take on it...

Sep 23, Forgotten Homework Teaches Lessons

Wed, 23 Sep 2009 18:26:01 GMT

Do your children often forget things at home, and then you rush to school to bring them? Check out my guest blog post about why you might want to stop being so "helpful." Oh, and please leave a comment and let me know what you think! Thanks!

Sep 19, I Hate Reading Logs, Too!

Sat, 19 Sep 2009 20:32:36 GMT

Have you seen this article from Fed Up Mom about reading logs? It's great! I especially love the note she wrote the teacher explaining why her daughter won't fill out a reading log. Can you imagine what would happen if everybody did this? There are so many kinds of bad homework, but reading logs might be the worst!

Sep 16, Private Homework Consultations for Your Student (& You!)

Wed, 16 Sep 2009 19:23:43 GMT

When it comes to your child's homework and studying, sometimes you need personal, private, one-on-one help. Guess what? I offer private consultations! Remember, it's better to be pro-active and deal with issues at the beginning of the year than waiting until spring and report cards and... Oh! Check it out!

Sep 15, Homework Confessions

Tue, 15 Sep 2009 03:02:47 GMT

Check out my post about the things parents do when dealing with their kids' homework. You'll also see the link to my page about HOMEWORK MELTDOWNS!

Sep 9, After School Snacks and Homework

Wed, 09 Sep 2009 16:10:03 GMT

You can't expect a student to do their homework on an empty stomach! I share my favorite after-school snacks in my new guest blog post at SchoolFamily.com!

Sep 7, Homeless Students & Homework?

Mon, 07 Sep 2009 01:54:31 GMT

Each night, millions of homeless students worry about finding a safe place to sleep. As if that were not enough, they also worry about doing homework. They do not want to return to school without their homework and face punishment, embarrassment and being "outed" as homeless. Teachers, you never know what is going on with your students when they leave your classroom. Be happy to see them each day; completed homework is a bonus.

Sep 3, Top Three Homework Helper Rules

Thu, 03 Sep 2009 17:00:15 GMT

Please take a look at my guest blog post at SchoolFamily.com about how to be a good homework helper. You do want to be a good helper, right? :)

Aug 31, Stay On Top of Those Backpacks!

Mon, 31 Aug 2009 18:59:38 GMT

I came across this article about the problem with students carrying heavy backpacks. One of the things they neglect to mention is the importance of keeping backpacks clean, neat and organized. Check out this page about backpack organization and then come back to read the article!

Aug 27, Middle School Not Grading Homework

Thu, 27 Aug 2009 16:50:18 GMT

Here is an article about a middle school that has decided to no longer grade homework. Hmmm. Do you think students are going to be more or less motivated to complete homework knowing that it doesn't "count?" (This question also applies to students that know their teacher never looks at their homework.)

Aug 23, Back to School and Homework

Sun, 23 Aug 2009 19:03:26 GMT

Back to school means back to homework! Do these things before school starts and have a great year!

Aug 20, Blog Channel Is Up & Running

Thu, 20 Aug 2009 18:06:33 GMT

Please take a look at my new blog at SchoolFamily.com; a few posts are waiting for you. (Have you given your student the Homework Personality Quiz recently?) Get over there, quick!

Aug 19, My New Blog Channel at SchoolFamily.com

Wed, 19 Aug 2009 16:19:12 GMT

I am so excited to announce my new blog at www.schoolfamily.com. I have done some guest blogging for this awesome site in the past, but now I'll be a regular blogger with my own "channel." The great thing is that readers can now leave comments!

Aug 17, Homework Organization Tip: 21 Days Makes A Habit

Mon, 17 Aug 2009 16:33:45 GMT

In my Homework Organization and How to Study E-course for Middle, Intermediate and High School Students, one of the very first things we discuss is how to make being organized a habit. I explain to students that by committing to using the tools and techniques in the e-course for 21 days (3 short weeks), being organized will become second nature. I'm pretty convincing! Here's more info about the e-course....

Aug 14, The Letter Every Teacher Should REALLY Write and Every Parent REALLY Should Read

Fri, 14 Aug 2009 21:32:35 GMT

If I could send parents letters like this, I might actually consider teaching middle school...

Aug 12, HELLO?! The best way to help your middle schooler is NOT micromanaging their homework!

Wed, 12 Aug 2009 21:49:21 GMT

Have I not been saying this, like, forever? Finally, someone agrees with me...

Aug 5, Parents Think Homework Guidelines Are Excessive...

Wed, 05 Aug 2009 19:31:59 GMT

And, they're right! These poor kids. Homework all summer, and now this kind of madness.

Jul 6, Do You Agree with This List?

Mon, 06 Jul 2009 15:15:03 GMT

Everybody and their cousin's mama has a summer reading book list for kids. I don't necessarily agree with this one, but it's a place to start. Remember, reading is the best summer homework, but try to keep it FUN!

Jul 2, A Student's Thoughts About Summer Homework

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 18:57:02 GMT

I am always interested in what students have to say about homework (other than, "I hate it!"). This article, written by a 14 year-old student, is a good example of how ambivalent we ALL feel about homework- especially summer and vacation homework.

Jun 28, More Summer Reading Tips

Sun, 28 Jun 2009 13:06:19 GMT

Great article about summer reading from Education.com. This is more than the same take your kids to the library summer reading advice. A quick, easy read...

Jun 25, Create Your Own Summer Homework? Be Careful!

Thu, 25 Jun 2009 17:41:07 GMT

Some parents just really, really want to give their children summer homework- even if none has been assigned! What do you think? (You know how I feel about summer homework. Now, check out this parent's decision.

Jun 18, Expert Advice for Parents

Thu, 18 Jun 2009 02:36:31 GMT

Check out this article over at SheKnows.com about staying on top of your child's education. Read carefully, and you might come across some advice from a familiar educational consultant... :-)

Jun 13, Maybe All Nighters Do Work

Sat, 13 Jun 2009 02:37:37 GMT

In my Homework Organization and How to Study e course, I tell students that they should start studying early and stop pulling all-nighters. After reading this inspiring article, I might reconsider that advice...

Jun 11, Summer Homework- Teach Your Kids About Money

Thu, 11 Jun 2009 21:20:53 GMT

Now, this is the kind of summer homework I REALLY like! Your kids can learn to appreciate earning, saving and donating money...

Jun 9, Summer Homework for Parents

Tue, 09 Jun 2009 18:40:15 GMT

Here are two things that parents need to do before summer vacation starts for the kids. Great, quick article...

Jun 8, Summer School Homework

Mon, 08 Jun 2009 21:05:31 GMT

Help your child deal with summer school homework!

May 31, Summer Homework

Sun, 31 May 2009 15:15:27 GMT

Summer Homework?!? Help your children keep reading and enjoy summer- despite homework.

May 31, Guest Blog Posts

Sun, 31 May 2009 00:16:15 GMT

Guest blog posts written by Angela Norton Tyler.

May 26, Students Are Cheating On Homework and Tests

Tue, 26 May 2009 20:23:15 GMT

I found this story fascinating on a number of levels. First, the writer felt that a lot of people didn't want her to expose the fact that so many high school students were found cheating. Second, it is amazingly sad that so many parents accept cheating as a way of life. Third, having too much homework is one reason many students cheat on homework! "Cheating, once associated almost exclusively with kids earning Cs and Ds, has now been overrun by the high-achievers who live in a pressure-cooker world of competition for attention, grades and elite college acceptance letters. This trend is a reflection of a society that places a higher value on where you end up more than how you get there." Deep.

May 21, Enough Already!

Thu, 21 May 2009 18:40:06 GMT

Today I came across this fascinating article about parents that "over parent." Here's my favorite part: "And I frequently tell my children that since I already completed elementary school, and have no intention of repeating the work, they will need to do their homework without me hovering nearby." You know I'm loving that!

May 20, Your Kids Will Do Their Homework- If They See A Reason for It

Wed, 20 May 2009 03:03:28 GMT

I have said a million times (almost) that I don't hate all homework- just busywork. I don't care how you spin it, kids know when they are wasting their time, and they hate it as much as adults. When students are shown the value of an assignment- or the very idea of homework- they take to it readily (well, mostly). I talk about this A LOT in my homework e course. Check out this article, too!