by Dr. Martha Angulo
Relax a bit after your homeschool instruction before doing assignments. Then....
1. Find the best time to study
After instruction, after dinner.....assignments should have a definite start and finish time. If the assignments are finished early, the remaining time should be used to double-check and review.
2. The best place to study
Your learning headquarters should be away from television, computer, telephone, and other distractions. A writing surface and good light are necessities. A small table may be the best place for a young student, while a desk or table, even the floor or a bed, may work for an older student.
3. Be prepared
Have all the materials needed to complete assignments. Pencils, sharpener, eraser and paper for younger students, a pen, ruler, dictionary, thesaurus, and more may be necessary for older students.
4. Make an assignments list
Make an easy two-part assignments checklist:
______ List your assignments in each subject each day as they are made.
______ Check over the list at the end of the instructional day to make sure you have all the materials necessary.
Show the assignment sheet to your parent or instructional coach. They can help to see that you have everything to complete your assignments.
5. Keep an assignments calendar
Record due dates for major long-range assignments on a special calendar to bring the task into focus. Work backwards, identifying all the steps along the way to completion of the assignment.
• If a short paper is due on Friday, the last step is to write the final draft on Thursday.
• The first step is to begin reading and note taking on Monday.
6. Study rhythms
Tackle the most difficult assignments when you are most alert and save easier tasks for off-peak times. Schedule several smaller segments of time for memorization. It is easier to learn in short stretches than at one long session. Try using an easier assignment as a break from something more difficult.
7. When you get stuck
Ask these questions.....
• Have you read and followed directions carefully?
• Are you taking short cuts that are confusing you?
• Are you using your book properly?
• Read the directions aloud....now, do they make sense?
• Have you tried making a picture, table, graph, or diagram to represent the known facts and relationships?
• Have you tried to solve a similar, but less difficult problem?
• Have you checked the glossaries, the table of contents or the indexes for help?
• Did you copy the words or numbers correctly?
• Are you trying to do too much of the work in your head?
• Have you checked for careless mistakes?
Still stuck? Do other assignments for a while. Check with your parent or instructional coach. Remember.....they want you to be successful.
8. Ask for help
It is okay to ask for help. Ask parents, older brothers and sisters, just ask.
9. Take a break
Schedule one or more short breaks during the study time. Stretching the mind for an hour, calls for stretching the body for a few minutes. Do jumping jacks, play ping pong or the drums.....get up and move.
10. Capture completed assignments
Create a fail-proof method for getting completed assignments to your parent or instructional coach in the allotted time. Use a different file for each subject. Once you have completed the daily assignment, place it in the appropriate file. An organized student = a successful student.
Dr. Angulo, a former public school superintendent possessing 30+ years in education, founded Knowledge Headquarters, Inc. The company is dedicated to enhancing education using the opportunities provided by technology. It develops and markets K-12 internet education content, enabling tools and communication products created to establish a superior learning experience.
Knowledge HQ created its premier education product, eTutor, in 1997 and continues to innovate in the educational field every day. eTutor is an internet-driven curriculum created by educators nationwide for Language Arts, Math, Science and Social Studies and can be accessed by homeschoolers anywhere in the world..
Dr. Martha Angulo, President
Knowledge Headquarters, Inc.
e-Tutor Virtual Learning
www.etutor.com
2525 Araphoe Avenue , Suite E4-177
Boulder, CO 80302
877-687-7200
Relax a bit after your homeschool instruction before doing assignments. Then....
1. Find the best time to study
After instruction, after dinner.....assignments should have a definite start and finish time. If the assignments are finished early, the remaining time should be used to double-check and review.
2. The best place to study
Your learning headquarters should be away from television, computer, telephone, and other distractions. A writing surface and good light are necessities. A small table may be the best place for a young student, while a desk or table, even the floor or a bed, may work for an older student.
3. Be prepared
Have all the materials needed to complete assignments. Pencils, sharpener, eraser and paper for younger students, a pen, ruler, dictionary, thesaurus, and more may be necessary for older students.
4. Make an assignments list
Make an easy two-part assignments checklist:
______ List your assignments in each subject each day as they are made.
______ Check over the list at the end of the instructional day to make sure you have all the materials necessary.
Show the assignment sheet to your parent or instructional coach. They can help to see that you have everything to complete your assignments.
5. Keep an assignments calendar
Record due dates for major long-range assignments on a special calendar to bring the task into focus. Work backwards, identifying all the steps along the way to completion of the assignment.
• If a short paper is due on Friday, the last step is to write the final draft on Thursday.
• The first step is to begin reading and note taking on Monday.
6. Study rhythms
Tackle the most difficult assignments when you are most alert and save easier tasks for off-peak times. Schedule several smaller segments of time for memorization. It is easier to learn in short stretches than at one long session. Try using an easier assignment as a break from something more difficult.
7. When you get stuck
Ask these questions.....
• Have you read and followed directions carefully?
• Are you taking short cuts that are confusing you?
• Are you using your book properly?
• Read the directions aloud....now, do they make sense?
• Have you tried making a picture, table, graph, or diagram to represent the known facts and relationships?
• Have you tried to solve a similar, but less difficult problem?
• Have you checked the glossaries, the table of contents or the indexes for help?
• Did you copy the words or numbers correctly?
• Are you trying to do too much of the work in your head?
• Have you checked for careless mistakes?
Still stuck? Do other assignments for a while. Check with your parent or instructional coach. Remember.....they want you to be successful.
8. Ask for help
It is okay to ask for help. Ask parents, older brothers and sisters, just ask.
9. Take a break
Schedule one or more short breaks during the study time. Stretching the mind for an hour, calls for stretching the body for a few minutes. Do jumping jacks, play ping pong or the drums.....get up and move.
10. Capture completed assignments
Create a fail-proof method for getting completed assignments to your parent or instructional coach in the allotted time. Use a different file for each subject. Once you have completed the daily assignment, place it in the appropriate file. An organized student = a successful student.
Dr. Angulo, a former public school superintendent possessing 30+ years in education, founded Knowledge Headquarters, Inc. The company is dedicated to enhancing education using the opportunities provided by technology. It develops and markets K-12 internet education content, enabling tools and communication products created to establish a superior learning experience.
Knowledge HQ created its premier education product, eTutor, in 1997 and continues to innovate in the educational field every day. eTutor is an internet-driven curriculum created by educators nationwide for Language Arts, Math, Science and Social Studies and can be accessed by homeschoolers anywhere in the world..
Dr. Martha Angulo, President
Knowledge Headquarters, Inc.
e-Tutor Virtual Learning
www.etutor.com
2525 Araphoe Avenue , Suite E4-177
Boulder, CO 80302
877-687-7200
