There is a lot of discussion out in the media today about the purpose and need for homework and the benefits it represents. Many discuss that our children are busier then they use to be, our children don’t have the time to complete homework due to sports or other extracurricular activities, and/or both parents are working one, two or maybe three jobs and it is just one more thing.
As a working parent, father of two, and educator I couldn’t disagree more. Homework is an opportunity I have to make a daily connection with my children’s school lives. We too have soccer, dance, and both work, but we find the time. We make it a priority.
So, what can we all do to build a bridge between school and home?
Think about the following questions to see if you are building a bridge or a gap with Lockhart:
1. Does your child have a defined area and time to complete their homework each night?
2. Do you personally go over it with them checking for errors and completion and re-teaching areas needing assistance?
3. Are you asking the right questions about their day?
· What are you learning in (subject)?
· Tell me about something you are looking forward to at school? Why?
· What subject area do you need help in and how can we (mom, dad, aunt…) help you?
· What was something positive that happened today or what was good about today? (Don’t accept- “nothing”, something good always happens…)
· What book are you currently reading? Tell me about it, can we read a few chapters together?
· Who did you play with today recess and/or ate lunch with? Did you talk about anything interesting?
4. Does my child spend 30 minutes a night, reading independently to self, reading aloud, or being read to?
5. Are you building the environment to support your child’s education at school as an opportunity rather than an obligation?
Along with these questions I would also ask are you meeting your teacher’s needs. At Lockhart I expect my staff to work very hard to provide a great learning environment for our students, I expect our students to take advantage of the learning environment by applying themselves. We are all very busy people. As a school community, let’s all set our priorities to working on building a strong bridge between school and home. As a parent, I know the bridge starts at home.
Mr. Daniel Zoller
As a working parent, father of two, and educator I couldn’t disagree more. Homework is an opportunity I have to make a daily connection with my children’s school lives. We too have soccer, dance, and both work, but we find the time. We make it a priority.
So, what can we all do to build a bridge between school and home?
Think about the following questions to see if you are building a bridge or a gap with Lockhart:
1. Does your child have a defined area and time to complete their homework each night?
2. Do you personally go over it with them checking for errors and completion and re-teaching areas needing assistance?
3. Are you asking the right questions about their day?
· What are you learning in (subject)?
· Tell me about something you are looking forward to at school? Why?
· What subject area do you need help in and how can we (mom, dad, aunt…) help you?
· What was something positive that happened today or what was good about today? (Don’t accept- “nothing”, something good always happens…)
· What book are you currently reading? Tell me about it, can we read a few chapters together?
· Who did you play with today recess and/or ate lunch with? Did you talk about anything interesting?
4. Does my child spend 30 minutes a night, reading independently to self, reading aloud, or being read to?
5. Are you building the environment to support your child’s education at school as an opportunity rather than an obligation?
Along with these questions I would also ask are you meeting your teacher’s needs. At Lockhart I expect my staff to work very hard to provide a great learning environment for our students, I expect our students to take advantage of the learning environment by applying themselves. We are all very busy people. As a school community, let’s all set our priorities to working on building a strong bridge between school and home. As a parent, I know the bridge starts at home.
Mr. Daniel Zoller