Homework

Homework

Homework time can be one of the most frustrating times we spend with our children. Following are some tips that helped my children and the students I work with.

Graphic Organizers

I love graphic organizers! They take the stress out of remembering the structure of a writing assignment or project while coming up with content that needs to be created. There are thousands of free samples online.

• For Reading Comprehension: Strategies for home and classroom

• For Elementary Paragraphs: Sandwich Graphic Organizer

• Five-Paragraph Essay: http://www.studenthandouts.com/graphic-organizers/

• Reading Research & Tools: ReadingRockets.org

Online Math Resources

Don't worry- No matter what you try, it won't be what your child's teacher said to do. Ask your child to walk you through the math processes. Sometimes that's enough for your child to realize they do know what to do. Otherwise, there are some great math resources online.

• Google the math problem- yep just enter the whole problem or ask SIRI!

• https://www.khanacademy.org/

• http://www.coolmath4kids.com/

• http://www.memory-improvement-tips.com/printable-math-flash-cards.html

• http://www.math.com/

• http://www.aplusmath.com/Flashcards/index.html

• http://mathforum.org/library/topics/basic_algebra/

• www.sheppardsoftware.com

• www.mathplayground.com

• www.pinterest.com- There are a ton of great tools from tons of great teachers!

• www.funbrain.com

• www.education.com

• www.abcya.com

Executive Function Skills

Executive Function refers to the organizational and planning skills as well as self-management and impulse control skills needed to process information and act on information. 

Games that can help build Executive Function Skills:

Board games like Checkers, chess, mancala,  Monopoly, and Clue require planning, sustained attention, response inhibition, working memory, and metacognition skills and can be played as a family. Dungeons and Dragons is another fabulous game that encourages imagination, cooperation, reading, and math! Try creating a character with your child to see who has the most hit points and who would survive a run-in with a Dwarf Paladin!

Memory and matching games are great for building working memory and recall. Games such as the following are great for students and older adults as well:

• Match the Pictures

• Crossword Puzzle

• Match the Words

• Daily Sudoku

Activity Guides:

• Enhancing and Practicing Executive Function Skills with Children from Infancy to Adolescence

• What can be done at home with Executive Functioning Issues

Other online options for building Executive Function skills include:

• Gogobrain offers online games For Elementary School executive function skills.

• Lumosity consists of online memory games for both adults and kids. The games are put together by scientists who adapt cognitive training exercises that have been developed by leading researchers into games ( paid service)

• Web sudoku makes these puzzles more interesting by increasing the level of difficulty in each stage. Apart from helping to improve memory, it is a good game for improving deduction, as you will be doing a lot of that throughout the game.

  Additional information on supporting your child's developing executive function skills:

  Video Games really can help with Executive Function Skills (Yep! I really stand by this and so does the research!) Legend of Zelda, SimCity and its variations, Command & Conquer, and other problem-solving video games call for sustained attention, response inhibition, planning, organization, metacognition, and goal-directed persistence. Where in the world is Carmen Santiago is great for younger children but any of the third-person adventures, questing games generally fall into the problem-solving category and your children will reap the benefits even if it is a video game! And remember, many of these types of video games are available online or as used DVDs or cartridges.