Some students struggle with completing homework assignments. We’re sharing a few tips to help your child or student learn the social skills for handling their homework with greater focus and organization!
- Get Organized!
- Being organized means having all of the materials you need in order to get your homework done. That could include your reading materials, a binder or folder where you keep your papers, and any notes you have from class. Organizing your materials in labeled folders or binders, and keeping them in a consistent location will help you access what you need to complete your homework more readily.
- This also includes organizing your work space. It’s difficult to focus and work steadily on a task on a cluttered worktop. Be sure you have all of the materials you need in one place so you can remain focused on the task.
- Lastly, organization includes your time! Consider using a planner or notebook to keep track of deadlines, test dates, and homework assignments. This can keep you on track and organized so you know what is expected of you.
- Stay Focused!
- Being focused means keeping your attention on the task at hand. Be sure to turn off the TV and minimize any distractions that could pull you away from completing your homework.
- Create a quick list of the tasks you want to work on and check them off as you complete them.
- Take short breaks when you feel your attention start to wander. Stand up and stretch, or do a lap around your home. You’ll feel more focused when you sit back down.
- Get It Done!
- Once you’ve completed your work, go through it carefully to ensure you’ve met all of the requirements, check for mistakes, and make sure your name is on all of your homework.
- Be sure to put your completed homework in your backpack in the appropriate folder or binder so you’ll know where it is the next day.
Bonus Tip: Be proud of yourself! It’s okay to pat yourself on the back and be proud of having completed the work you needed to get done! Homework can be daunting but with preparation and the right plan, you can get it done!
These special education homework resources were authored by Watson Institute’s special education consultant, Andee Morris, M.Ed.
Power Point Presentations:
I Can Handle Homework PowerPoint
I Can Handle Homework Facilitator’s Guide
Resource Materials:
I Can Handle Homework Teacher Note
I Can Handle Homework Parent Note
I Can Handle Homework Mini Schedule
This week I might try to handle homework
I Can Handle Homework Activities
I Can Handle Homework Magnet Cards
Pre/Post Assessment
A pre and post lesson assessment is included in each lesson. Use of the assessment is an instructor preference. Many of the ‘homework’ pages for a lesson can be used as a pre/post assessment device alone or as part of the provided assessment. Each homework page can be checked by the instructor as well as the student.
Review all included pages of the lesson to determine what ‘assessment’ method will meet your needs. If the student is able to achieve a + in the majority of items of the pre-assessment, or if the student has been observed to display the skill topic of the lesson often, then the lesson may not be introduced or can be taught with a group as review and/or reinforcement.
I Can Handle Homework Pre/Post Assessment
If you have questions or concerns about the Watson Institute’s use of this information, please contact us.