Organization:
Confessions of a Happily Organized Family
by Deniece Schofield
Clutter Cutters
by Better Homes and Gardens
301 Stylish Storage Ideas
by Linda Hallam
Kids Rooms:
Kids’ Rooms: Decorating Ideas Under $50
by Vicki Christian
Childstyle: Decorating Ideas & Projects for Kids’ Rooms
by Better Homes and Gardens
Homework Checklist for Parents
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Provide a quiet, well-lit space, away from distractions and with all the right study materials -- paper, pens and pencils, books, a dictionary, a desk, etc.
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Try to find a separate space for each of your children, or schedule quiet times for homework in designated spaces.
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Create a regular schedule, allowing for adequate study and free time.
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Limit TV time, and do not allow it during homework.
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When possible, be available to answer questions. Try doing a problem or two together, and then watch as the child tries the next one.
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Avoid simply giving an answer. Instead, ask questions that let your child see the problem in smaller, sequential steps.
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Provide your kids with a notebook for writing down assignments. When they're finished, compare the homework and the notebook to make sure everything is done.
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See about pairing your child with a “Homework Buddy”. Your child should call this person if s/he ever needs clarification about an assignment.
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Review completed and graded assignments. Discuss errors to be sure your child understands the material.
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Share any concerns with your children's teachers about the amount or type of homework assigned. Be sure to let them know if your children are having difficulty or are unable to do most of it by themselves.
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Each school district has a suggested amount of time spent on homework at each grade level. Find out what that time is for your children. Stop your child if s/he reaches the maximum time suggested and write his/her teacher a note saying that this is what your child was able to finish within that timeframe.
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Encourage your child! Validate their feelings by letting them know that you had trouble with homework sometimes when you were in school, too. Make sure they believe that the two of you and your child’s teacher are all in this together.
The Homework Supply Kit
by Sandra F. Rief, M.A. You can help your child considerably in cutting down on wasted time spent searching the house for necessary homework supplies and materials. Not only is it a frustrating waste of precious minutes, but it also causes a major break in productivity, pulling your child unnecessarily off-task.
This homework supply kit can be stored in anything portable, preferably a lightweight container with a lid. Some children work at their desks, or on kitchen or dining room tables; others prefer to spread out on their beds or the floor. With this system, where your child chooses to study doesn't matter. The necessary supplies can accompany her anywhere.
Recommended Supplies (may vary depending on the age of your child)
_____ Plenty of paper
_____ Sharpened pencils with erasers
_____ Pencil sharpener
_____ Ruler
_____ Crayons
_____ Paper hole reinforcers
_____ Glue stick
_____ Colored pencils
_____ Colored pens and markers (thick and thin points)
_____ Stapler with box of staples
_____ Paper clips
_____ Single-hole punch
_____ Three-hole punch
_____ Dictionary
_____ Thesaurus
_____ Electronic spell checker
_____ Self-stick notepads
_____ Highlighter pens
_____ Index cards
_____ Calculator
Excerpted from The ADD/ADHD Checklist by Sandra Rief, M.A.
Download pdf of Homework Checklist & Supply Kit!
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