MAKING HOMEWORK A SNAP!

1. Every night you have homework. Homework includes assignments, projects, studying vocabulary, rewriting notes from the same day, organizing your backpack, filing assignments and putting new supplies in your backpack. It is also a good time to decide on what clothes to wear for the next day. Get the clothes out and ready. Be sure they meet dress code. Be sure your I.D. badge is in your backpack; ready for you to wear the next day when you get to school.

2. Let’s break down these into smaller steps. First you have to have the assignments. Use your Agenda Book to write them down. It really is easier to be able to look at a list. Start with the easiest assignment. If you have a test circle it in a bright color in your Agenda Book so you remember to study for the test every night. You will have a Science Fair project in middle school but you will also have other major projects. Maybe you could put up a large monthly calendar in your bedroom with the major project due dates posted. You can count down the days until it is due by marking through each day right at the end of your homework time. It’s very easy for time to “slip away” and due dates in middle school are when the assignment is due.

3. Make sure you have a set homework time that the family will support. No car trips, no phone calls, no T.V. time and no computer time unless it’s directly related to the assignment. Plan at least an hour for homework each night. With block scheduling it’s easy to wait one more day but remember that the next day you will get more assignments so work each night to keep up with your homework.

4. Write down in the Agenda Book when the homework is due. Be sure to turn it in when it is due. Late will cost you in grades and in aggravation.

5. Ask questions in class when you are not sure about the assignment. You can raise your hand, go up after class or even write a note to the teacher to ask your question. If you’re not sure in class what to do it won’t get easier at home.

6. Keep supplies (paper, pencils, pens, highlight pens, folders, etc) in the location where you are doing your homework. Don’t waste time looking for supplies. You want to be able to sit down and get the homework done quickly and correctly.

7. Dump out your backpack on your bed when you get home from school. Put all papers in the correct folders. Your teachers have given you specific directions on how they want their folders set up. If you do this organizing every night it will only take a few minutes. This is a good time to put in your books and folders for tomorrow’s classes.

8. It’s important to have play time, chore time and dinner time. Your homework is a part of this picture. It is also very important that you get at least nine hours of sleep a night. Research shows that adolescents/teenagers need at least nine hours every night of sleep to be able to function at their best the next day. So be sure to “schedule in” some real sleep time!

9. Your parents can communicate with your teacher or anyone at Roosevelt Middle by: emailing us through Edline (parents can get their password by coming in person to the Main Office and signing for it). Edline is also a way to view grades and specific assignments. Teachers, at minimum will update this information on the 15th and end of the month. Some teachers update weekly. Using Edline the parent can also email anyone on staff at Roosevelt Middle School. Another method of communication is to write a note to the teacher in the Agenda Book. Teachers will ask the entire class to bring them their Agenda Book. You will need to bring them the book at this time. Parents will also receive a list of teachers’ Voice Mail and Homework phone numbers. This can be used at any time by the parent. Another method is for you to bring in a note from your parents or have your parents stop by our Main Office and leave a note. They can also see specific phone numbers for administrative staff in the front of the Agenda Book. We believe in working as a team at Roosevelt Middle school and your parents and you, the student, are a major part of that team.

10. Parent conferences can be set up by your parents through your Team Leader (teacher).

11. The key to successful homework is not how long you spend on it-it’s how well you do the work.

AS THE PARENT

Be sure to sign up for Edline in our Main Office at Roosevelt Middle School. Get a list of teachers’ Voice Mail numbers and Homework phone numbers from the Main Office too. Review your child’s Agenda Book with your child. Note Dress Code expectations, school calendar, phone numbers and web sites offered to parents. Please note that our Media Center has designated computers for parental use and staff ready to assist you. Parent Conferences with teachers may be set up through your child’s Team Leader (one of his/her academic teachers).

We look forward to working with you this school year!