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8 Homework Tips from a Teacher in the Library  Because every student (and parent) can benefit from homework help.
Through generous donations, the Chicago Public Library Foundation has funded the Teacher in the Library program since 2000, when the program began in six branch libraries. Today, Teachers in the Library can be found at most library branch locations. Do you sometimes wish you had a teacher by your side when helping your kids with homework? Homework continues to evolve, based on new education standards, technology, and increased emphasis on STEM and project-based learning. What’s a parent to do? We checked in with one of our very own Teachers in the Library (TIL), Julie Waisvillas, to find out what works for her when working with as many as 20 kids at one time! Julie has taught pre-kindergarten for 2 ½ years, and this fall marks her third year as a TIL at the West Town Branch. Here are Julie’s tips to help parents and their kids turn homework time into something they look forward to – er, at least not dread! 1. Set a daily routine. Homework should not be put off until the end of the day. Rather, it should be done some time right after school. This allows for the child to have more time to complete the assignments, and teaches him/her to take care of responsibilities first. Also, do not wait until Sunday night to complete long term projects! The last thing you need to find out is that you are missing information or materials. 2. Select quiet areas for your child to complete his/her homework. Pick a place where he/she can be alone and not be distracted. If you have more than one child, it may help to get them all to do homework at the same time. Even if you have little ones, you can have them sit and color or look at books. This helps reduce distractions, and makes homework a family routine. 3. If children need help with homework, give them guidance, but don't do the work for them. It is hard to see your child struggle. However, we should guide and show our children how to do their homework but not do the work for them. This will help them become independent, an important skill we all need and use in our daily lives. 4. If children don’t understand their homework, give them options when asking for help. They can always ask family members – older siblings are usually resourceful. They can also ask a friend. Get phone numbers from classmates early on in the year in case of missed assignments or to clarify assignments. Researching material is an option. We can find almost anything online to help us explain things. And don’t forget about the library! The library has numerous resources on almost any subject matter. 5. Show your kids how to check their own homework. This will ensure whether or not they understand the material. Also, we all make mistakes; so checking our work will allow us to go back and double check things. Parents don't always have to be the one to check homework. For most assignments, the kids can check their homework on their own. 6. Incorporate daily reading into your child’s routine. Whether it is 15, 20 or 30 minutes a day, reading will help kids with speaking, vocabulary, comprehension, and communication. For older children, have them read for 30 minutes a day. As a parent, we can ask follow-up questions to ensure our child has understood what they have read. "Who are the characters? Was there a conflict? How was it resolved? How do you know this is nonfiction or fiction? How are you similar or different from the characters?" 7. For younger children, we can read with them. I love pointing at each word as I am reading so the child knows I am actually reading that word. This action teaches them that letters make sounds and that a combination of sounds creates a word. We’re teaching them to read from left to right and how to turn to the next page. Books that show repetition are great for little ones. In no time, they should be able to read small words back to you. 8. Last but not least....praise your child. If he/she is working hard and/or is trying, let them know you see it. We want to encourage them to learn and to not give up! Teachers in the Library are 100 percent funded by donations to the Library Foundation and serve in nearly all branch libraries, Monday through Thursday from 3:00 pm-6:00 p.m. Visit our website for more information. |
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