Building Good Study Habits

In Class:

• Take your Homework Book to every class and write down any homework assignments. Be sure to write down the due date in your book.

• Listen carefully in class and take notes on important facts you need to remember.

•  Ask questions in class about things you don't understand.

At Home:

• Bring your Homework Book home everyday and check off each homework assignment as you finish it.

• Plan a block of time each evening at home to review your notes, complete homework assignments, and prepare for the next day of class.

• Start by studying the hardest subject first, since it will take the most time and energy. Move on to the next hardest and so forth.

• Allow more study time for subjects that are harder for you.

• Do a little each day, when doing projects and reports.

• Find a quiet place to study. Don't listen to the radio or watch television while studying. Sit in a straight-backed chair in a well-lit area. 

• Make a study kit for your supplies. Include a dictionary, a ruler, pens, pencils, erasers, and paper in your kit.

Reading to Learn:

• Think about the subject while you read. Ask yourself if you understand what you're reading.

• If the section is difficult to understand, try stopping after one or two paragraphs and write a summary of what you have read, if this difficult, reread the section slowly; look up words you don't understand.

• Look at included charts, maps, and illustrations to help you grasp the idea of what you are reading.

• Read many different kinds of material. The more you read, the easier and more enjoyable reading will become.

Student Responsibilities:

• Bring notebook, paper, pencil or pen, and other required material to class daily.

• Be an active participant in the classroom. Listen and take part in the class discussions.

• Ask questions if you don't understand the discussion or if you have a problem.

• Make sure that you understand the homework assignment given.

• Strive to do your best, not just enough to get by.

• Use appropriate behavior at all times. Keep your feet, hands, and objects to yourself.

• Always try!

Purpose of Homework

1. Homework develops responsibility.

2. Homework builds good self-discipline and stimulates pride in work.

3. Homework prepares students for classroom participation and activities.

4. Homework develops independent study habits.

5. Homework reinforces and extends school learning experiences, and provides practice, review and application of basic skills.

6. Homework provides a structure for reaching closure on the skills and knowledge taught in the classroom.

7. Homework lays the foundation for students taking responsibility for their own learning.

8. Homework develops organizational and time management skills.

9. Homework stimulates creativity and imagination while fostering student initiative.

10. Homework stimulates critical thinking and problem solving.
    Homework provides for the application of learning in real-life situations.

Responsibilities of the Student

1. Write down all homework assignments and due dates before leaving class. Use a notebook or folder to keep all your assignments.

2. Make sure you fully understand the assignment and the concepts to be practiced or applied. Ask your teacher to explain again if you're not sure.

3. Organize your materials. Be sure to take home your homework assignments and all necessary materials.

4. Demonstrate good study habits by budgeting the necessary time to complete the assignment.

5. Demonstrate pride in your homework by doing your best work and working independently. Ask for assistance only after giving it your best.

6. Demonstrate responsibility by finishing your homework neatly.

7. Be sure you turn your homework in on time.

Parent Support is Essential

Homework is an integral part of your child's educational process. Homework brings the school and home closer together. As the school and home share most of the responsibility for education in the years ahead, cooperation between home and school is even more imperative to develop a sound and sensible educational program for the student.

Parent support and supervision of homework is an extremely important factor in building positive attitudes and study habits regarding homework. The following suggestions are designed to facilitate our student's learning responsibility for homework without incurring family conflict:

1. Homework provides the opportunity for practice and application of academic skills. However, homework is also an exercise in accepting responsibility, providing reinforcement, perseverance and independent accomplishment.
   

2. To demonstrate that homework is a priority in your family, establish a regular time to develop a daily "homework habit". If there are no homework assignments to complete then encourage your child to utilize this "quiet time" daily for pleasure reading. This reading could be done silently or orally as a shared experience.
   

3. Parents can, and sometimes should, help with homework. When they do, it should be for one to two reasons.

• First, because the child is stuck at some point, has given it his/her all, and legitimately needs adult guidance to get un-stuck.

• Secondly, because she has finished his/her homework, but wants someone to review or proof-read it.

4. If parents feel their child is asking for help simply because he's wanting attention or wants someone else to do his thinking for him, they should not hesitate to say, "I am sure you can think that one through on your own. Stick with it!" Completion of homework is the student's responsibility.
   

5.  Parents need to let their child learn responsibility by experiencing the consequence for failure to complete the assigned homework on time.
   

6. When working with your child on homework, maintaining a relaxed, stress-free atmosphere will help build positive attitudes about schoolwork and keep harmony in the family.

Homework Notebook

This homework assignment notebook has been purchased for each student by our PTA. Each night parents are required to sign the notebook after reviewing your child's homework. You may write notes to the teacher in the place provided. If the student loses this book, it must be replaced immediately. Books may be purchased at the school bookstore for $5.00.