Homework+Strategies


 * __HOMEWORK AND STUDENTS WITH LEARNING DISABILITIES __**

Research indicates that homework accounts for about one-fifth (20%) of all the time that students spend on academic tasks. Fifty-six percent of students with learning disabilities have difficulties completing homework. Students with learning disabilities reported boredom and resistance to homework and that they received less help and more criticism from parents (Carr, 1999, p.2).


 * __SUCCESSFUL HOMEWORK STRATEGIES FOR EDUCATORS AND PARENTS OF STUDENTS WITH __****__LEARNING DISABILITIES __**

Some strategies to bear in mind when assigning homework tasks to students of all ages with a disability are:

• Stress the importance of homework by providing a time, a place, and where possible, supplies for it. • Reinforce the belief that homework is important by supporting, encouraging, and praising the child's efforts. Remember, we all perform best in a supportive atmosphere in which we are valued as individuals; • Reassure the child that some subjects are most difficult than others if a child is working hard but with disappointing results. Feel free to discuss what you can do to help the situation with both the student and the parents; • Encourage students to talk about their homework instead of demanding it be returned; •Encourage parents to p <span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif';">rovide the child with a clear surface on which to work, good light, appropriate tools, and a comfortable chair. (Not too comfortable - an easy chair may encourage napping); <span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; font-size: 13px;">• Encourage parents to p <span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif';">rovide a homework environment that is free from background distractions of television, loud conversation, or pets. For some children "white noise" provided by soft instrumental music helps mask such sounds, for others silence is more effective; <span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; font-size: 13px;">• <span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif';">Alert parents that a child may be distracted by subtle things, such as white paper against a dark desktop. If a child is unable to focus after you have eliminated obvious distractions, <span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; text-indent: 7.1pt;">check out less obvious sources of distraction; <span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; font-size: 13px;">• <span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif';">Recognise that a child may become tired. Even busy walls or buzzing light fixtures may cause the child fatigue; <span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; font-size: 13px;">• <span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif';">Listen to or discuss the main points of a homework assignment; <span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; font-size: 13px;">• <span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif';">Work one or two examples together and make sure that the child understands the Assignment; <span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; font-size: 13px;">• <span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif';">Communicate with parents when explanation is necessary regarding assignments; <span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; font-size: 13px;">• <span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif';">Keep in touch with your students parents to learn about what the class is studying (Carr, 1999).

<span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif';">Carr, M 1999, //Homework//, Learning Disabilities Association of America, Pittsburgh, viewed 24 July 2011, []
 * __<span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif';">References: __**