Otis Kriegel knows a thing or two about the learning process. Artist, author, adjunct professor at NYU and former K-5 teacher, Kriegel has over fifteen years of experience in community education. His new book, Everything a New Elementary School Teacher REALLY Needs to Know (But Didn’t Learn in College), has been praised as “a practical survival guide for first year teachers.” As a teacher himself, Kriegel knows how to interact with students to make the learning experience fun and effective. He knows how important it is for educators to utilize new technology as a teaching tool. And he knows about homework.
Most parents have been sucked into a homework power struggle with their child on more than one occasion. While it might feel like homework was invented specifically to torture parents and create unrelenting nightly disputes with kids, if managed properly, homework can play an essential role in boosting students’ academic understanding and performance. On his advice blog for parents of grade-school children, The K5, Kriegel explains homework is a fundamental way to: practice memorization, review material, introduce new material, and work on projects. We caught up with Kriegel to get some insight into how parents can ensure their children are fully utilizing their homework time.
Location: Many parents firmly believe children should always do homework at a desk, as to encourage structure. But after sitting at a desk all day at school, some kids might work better in a freer and more personalized environment. “Having other areas where [kids] can work is important, such as a kitchen table, a coffee table…a mat on the floor, or somewhere else where they can feel just as comfortable,” Kriegel explains.
Motivation: Is your child easily distracted? Does it take forever for your child to get focused and motivated to begin his or her take-home assignments? Sometimes all kids need to get engaged in homework is an adult whose behaviors they can mimic. “I think a lot of parents take off and do something else while their kids are doing their homework,” Kriegel says. “Sometimes all it takes is you sitting next to them quietly and reading and modeling to them what it is to focus.”
Timing: Many researchers believe that taking short breaks during homework and study time improves performance and focus. “Using a timer can be helpful with a younger child… 30or 45 minutes of homework can be a long stretch to get it all done at once.” Kriegel suggests taking a brief break every 15-20 minutes (or whatever is age-appropriate for your child). Even if it’s just a quick stretch or a trip to the kitchen to grab a healthy snack, a break in the monotony can be extremely helpful for kids.
Organization: Everyone loves the satisfied feeling that comes with checking something off of a to-do list. Kriegel recommends children create a nightly homework checklist to ensure they stay organized and don’t neglect any assignments. “Kids can list the homework that they are required to do on a dry-erase board or a piece of paper and as they finish…they can cross [each item] off. It’s a great way for them to share what [homework] they have so that everybody [knows] what needs to be done.” Kriegel explains that this exercise can be particularly helpful with multi-kid families struggling with organization.
Moderation: With the influx of technology such as the iPad and Kindle, it’s hard to not get lost in the mess of touch screens, apps, and e-books. There’s no doubt these hi-tech tools can help engage and challenge students when appropriately used, but there comes a time when you just need to unplug. “Some of the new technology is really making learning and reading much more accessible. I encourage parents to use technology, but I don’t think technology is a replacement for human interaction…or picking up a pencil and writing, or turning the pages of a book,” Kriegel says.
