Achievement and Homework

Achievement & Homework

Skill deficits in an achievement area can contribute to challenges with homework, such as frustration, avoidance, taking a long time to get through assignments, or an inability to complete work without support. If a child is struggling in a particular academic area (e.g. reading, writing, or math), then homework is usually only an issue when that skill is involved.

Provide assistance with the skill	Examples: If reading is difficult, then read with the student and take turns reading the material If math is difficulty, then work through an example with the child and then ask the child to complete a few items on his/her own (with the example available as a reference), take a break, then try a few more items and so forth If writing is difficult, help the child talk through the information first, then transfer to paper; try allowing the child to dictate, then write, or alternate between dictating to an adult to write and writing on his/her own
Use technology to assist with getting through homework	Examples: Digital books, such as a Kindle or iPad (with Storia or Merriam Webster app) for reading, as text can be enlarged, limiting the amount of visual detail on a page, and audio output (e.g. VoiceOver) can be combined with the text or can click on a word to hear the pronunciation and/or meaning Use supplemental math resources for re-teaching (e.g. Math Made Easy, Math is Fun, eMath, Purple Math) Consider using voice recognition software for writing, such as Dragon NaturallySpeaking for computer with text-to-speech, so it reads your paper back to you or Dragon Anywhere for iPad
Help instill a purpose even when not interesting (e.g. link schoolwork to real-life skills, view homework as a way to expand thinking and knowledge, a means to obtain a bigger goal, such as needing to maintain GPA to enter a specific college program
Provide encouragement to keep trying and point out the child’s progress from the beginning of the week to the end of the week for a skill