How do I know what my son/daughter’s homework assignments are?

Check his or her agenda or the website. All team teachers take time out of their classes to provide students time to record their assignments.

What if my son/daughter does not bring home their agenda?

Encourage your child to bring his or her agenda home every evening. It is the key to communication and organization. If this becomes a problem, set up a daily consequence. (For example, if your child brings the agenda home for you to check, he or she gets “x” minutes of phone time that evening; if he or she forgets the agenda, phone privileges for that evening are denied.)

Consequences that allow your child to “start fresh” each day and are immediate seem to be the best practice at this level. Consistency is also a critical component. Do not accept excuses. Simply explain they will be given a fresh start the next day!

What if my son/daughter does not bring their textbook home to do their homework?

Social Studies textbooks are given to the students at the beginning of the year and have to be brought back and forth to school every day. Please be sure to return the text if you should move.

Science textbooks are not available online yet. The new Science books are small so they should not be difficult to take to and from school.

What if my student says that s/he completed the assignments in school or that s/he left the work in the locker?

You have a few options here. Explain to your child that he or she is required to bring home all assignments, even if they are completed. If your child is resistant to this, use the “daily consequences” approach as previously explained in question #2. Check to see that the assignments completed are in alignment with the entries in the agenda.

Your second option is to require your child to get the teacher’s signature to indicate the homework was finished in class, again implementing the “daily consequence” approach if necessary. It is the student's responibility to show the teacher the agenda and have it signed. Remember, students at this age level can be quite creative with their excuses; do not accept them and remind them they will get a fresh start the next day. Again, consistency is paramount.

What if I know my child has completed an assignment but does not turn it in when they get to school?

Unfortunately, it is impossible for a teacher to grade an assignment that has not been turned in. It is important to explain to your child that completing the assignment is the hard part; turning it in should be the easy part.

The key here is organization! Once your child has completed the assignment, the student needs to have a consistent spot where assignments for each class will be kept. “In their backpack” is NOT a good place. A folder designated for each class would be more efficient.

What should I look for when my student is working on their assignments?

Students’ assignments should:
--be done in complete sentences, if stated
--show work on all math problems, if stated
--be legible if hand-written, and
--show pride in presentation.

Teachers often provide students with examples or additional instructions in the student spiral notebook for the class.

How can I help my child develop good study skills?

--Set aside specific time each evening for homework.
--Have your child work in a well lighted area, free of distractions such as music and television.
--Have an area that is conducive to work- a desk or table is best - not a bed.
--Get a large desk calendar to help keep track of both academic and social responsibilities; this will help students budget their time.

How can I help my child study for tests?

Often students at this age think that studying for a test is just reviewing notes or skimming the book, but it requires more effort than that. By seventh grade much of the information your children are learning is no longer a review of past years and will require more critical thinking. Methods for studying should include the following:

--drill and practice, (especially good for studying for math tests). Redoing problems done in the notebook can help.
--your child “teaching you” what has been learned flash cards and practice tests (for math, odd problem answers are in the back of the book, so students can check their answers)
--study guides provided for many units.
--review of old assignments and tests for comprehensive exams.

What if my child still does not understand the material?

It sometimes works to have a study buddy. Students are encouraged to form study groups for upcoming tests and to consult a study buddy for clarification on an assignment. Students have access to extra help from their teachers during Homeroom periods. Also, Wednesday mornings students can come in for extra help.