Homework Help

Homework. It is not – nor should it be – a dirty word. We know doing your homework can be hard. Many students try to avoid it, but it is an important part of your education. 

Homework reinforces lessons taught in class. It also teaches you how to budget your time, acquire good study habits and improve research techniques ... things that will help you both inside your classroom and after you graduate.

The bottom line? Research shows that students who spend more time on regularly assigned, meaningful homework do better in school. Class participation and class involvement at any level becomes easier and more interesting when students get their homework done.

Homework tips

• Establish your own routine. Set a regular time to do homework and make your homework a priority. In other words, study when it's time to study so you can play and relax when it's time to play and relax.
• Find an appropriate place to complete your work. Make sure you are comfortable, you have good lighting, and have minimal disruptions so you can concentrate on what you are doing (that means the television gets turned off!)
• Make sure you have all necessary materials and supplies: pencils, paper, ruler, eraser, scribblers and books etc.
• Before you start your homework, make sure you are rested and have had a snack to recharge your batteries after a busy day at school.
• Study is an acquired skill – something you have to learn how to do. So don’t be discouraged. Ask your parents for help if you become frustrated because an assignment is too long or too hard. If you need to, wait until tomorrow and talk to your teacher about your difficulties.
• There are many web sites available to help you with your homework. A simple search for “Homework Help” on Google or Yahoo will generate many results that can help you with your homework.
• DiscoverySchool.com has tools to help you study, including BJ Pinchbeck's Homework Helper, which contains more than 700 links to sites that will help you with your homework.

Study links

The staff at your school's library can help you find good resources to use for studying, or for exploring on your own.

Here are some great sites to get you started:

• WSD School Libraries Online
• Online Resources for Students

Homework FAQs

Why do homework?

On average, students who do more homework do better in school. Research from a variety of educational sources supports the importance of students doing homework.

Homework assignments allow you to get ready for the next day's class and can be a critical part of your grade.

Homework helps you to better understand difficult concepts and allows you to practice what you have learned. It can also expose you to interesting things that you may not have had the time to explore during class.

Homework encourages you to develop good habits and attitudes, teaches you to work independently, and promotes discipline and responsibility – all of which are vital to your life after you graduate from school.

Why do teachers give homework?

Homework helps you understand and review the work that has been covered in class. It is also possible that you may have been assigned homework because there was not enough time in the school day to get everything done.

Your teacher wants to confirm that you understand the material covered in class and wants to help you learn how to find more information on a subject – and see how you would use that information.

Homework gives you the chance to practice without the time pressures that you may experience in a classroom setting.

Research shows that when homework is turned in to the teacher, graded, and discussed, it can improve your grades and understanding of your schoolwork.

How much time should I spend each night on homework?

It depends on your age, your grade, your teacher’s philosophy and your school’s policy. 

Most educators agree that:

• for children in grades K-2, homework is more effective when it does not exceed 10-20 minutes each school day.
• older children, in grades 3-6, can handle 30-60 minutes a day.
• in junior and senior high school, the amount of homework will vary by subject. Most older students will also have homework projects, such as research papers and oral reports, which may have deadlines weeks away. Make sure you organize your assignments and plan your work times so your homework is ready to turn in on time.

Keep in mind that these are general guidelines and every teacher, and every school, has an individual answer for this question. Your teachers can tell you how much time they expect you to spend on homework.

Can I do homework while listening to music or watching television?

Music is an individual decision. Some students can work with music playing in the background, while others must work in silence.

Sorry ... although television can be a learning tool, it's best to leave the television off when doing homework.