MrHowd.com

You cannot allow your children to remain indifferent about their homework. If they develop such an unmotivated approach to learning, they are likely to have problems handling the “real world” as well.

The quote above, from the book Homework Without Tears, reminds us of the importance of homework.

If your student is having a problem with completing work, you may want to consider one of the suggestions from this book: to set up a Daily Homework Time.

The idea is to have students expect to work for 40 minutes every night, even if there is no “official” homework. When no homework is assigned from school, students work on other academic activities to practice, extend or enrich their studies in school, such as practicing cursive, working on math facts, or exploring the Internet to find out more information about the current science topic. When students understand that they will work for 40 minutes on homework every night, they will be less likely to argue, procrastinate, or “forget” their work.

And what happens if students refuse to do their work during Daily Homework Time, choosing just to sit there or work slowly? Well, the student has a choice. He can complete the work, or sit at his desk without TV, music, video games, computer, phone or any other privilege. Once he knows that you mean business, the work will get done.

Find more information about homework and missing assignments on the Homework Policy page. I also have copies of Homework Without Tears if you would like to borrow one.

We had a great time our last of fourth grade. Everyone had their fill at our potluck picnic. Then we ran ourselves silly playing games in the courtyard!

Thanks to all the families that brought a dish to pass, helped with food preparation and cleanup, and helped with the games.

I wish everyone all the best over the summer and into fifth grade!

Here are some memories from our fourth grade year:

Photos and videos from our Poetry Slam at Borders on Thursday, June 4:

School ends over the summer, but the learning doesn’t have to stop! Here are a few ways to keep your student learning over the summer and ready for fifth grade (click the links below for more about each program):

• Grand Rapids Academic Summer Program (GRASP). This is a program for reading and math. The cost is a very reasonable $61 for both subjects. I highly recommend this program due to it’s inexpensive cost and easy-to-use format.
• Grand Blanc Schools Summer School Program, June 22-July 22. This program offers instruction in reading and math. The cost is $150 per class. Enroll in the McGrath office.
• University of Detroit Mercy Summer 2009 Reading Skills Programs for Children. The class meets at Mott Community College once a week for five weeks, and costs $269.
• The Learning Center of Southwest Flint Summer Program. This is a one-on-one tutoring program.
• Scholastic Summer Reading Challenge. Resources for parents and students to get them reading this summer. Research says students need to read 5-6 chapter books over the summer to keep their reading skills fresh going into the next school year (students who don’t read over the summer usually experience a drop in their reading level).
• McFarlen Library Summer Reading Program. Stop by to enroll, or visit the website to check out upcoming events.