Fresh Air - 5 Best Tips for Homework Dilemmas



	5 Best Tips for Homework Dilemmas by Joanne Spataro join TeenVoices & make a comment

	It's 5:00pm and school's been out for hours. Mom's making dinner, dad's at work, and your younger sister is playing with her dolls. You must have escaped it, otherwise mom would have caught you. Yes, it's true; you're free from doing your homework! You leisurely go into the kitchen for a celebratory snack. Just when you think it's safe, mom spots you from behind the countertop. "Hello dear." she greets innocently enough, the nervous sweat forming on your forehead vanishes. You grab a cheese stick with sudden confidence, until homework rears it's ugly head: "By the way, did you do your homework?" If you were in a movie, the harsh spotlight would turn to you and Alfred Hitchcock's "Psycho" music would play. You'd clutch either sides of your face and scream with bloody horror. NO, ANYTHING BUT HOMEWORK! Does this sound a lot like your reaction to homework? If it does, maybe you have the wrong attitude about hitting the books. Many students hate homework, but that's not saying you can't try harder. If you just get organized and feel confident that you can tackle algebra, etc., you can complete the task at hand; without the usual tears or dread. Make a "Homework Station" to keep all your studying supplies (pencils, paper, notebooks, calculators) at one place designated to homework. This will be a huge time-saver when it comes time to study because you'll know where all your supplies are. You won't spend valuable studying time searching for needed homework materials. The "Homework Station" can be at your desk, where it's quiet and comfortable. If you have a laptop (or desktop) computer, this is a great place to station it for easy usage. Tackle the Hard Stuff First. "The hard stuff" are the weaker points of school you need to work on, whether it's social studies or math. If you need extra help with the subject, it'll be easier to ask a friend or parent for help earlier in the day. Making the hard stuff your first priority is an efficient way to get things done. Why "cram" needlessly on your most vague subject late at night? Know Your Distraction Level. TV, music and talking can divert our attentions from homework to "Everybody Loves Raymond" or "Dawson's Creek". Maybe you're okay working with the TV on, but you can't think with the radio. For me, I can't watch TV while studying or hearing other people talk; but I can listen to music undisturbed. So knowing your distraction level will help you discover your most fitting and productive working environment. Take Hourly Breaks. Who can study with an empty stomach or a dry mouth? If you've been hitting the books for hours and feel you haven't made a dent, take a break. Things will look a whole lot better after a cookie or glass of ice water. Have a Can-do Attitude. "Oh, I can't do this! Math is hard!" This lame excuse is a stereo-typical teenage girl's response to homework or school. But girls can do math just as well or better than boys. It's all about working hard to understand the material at hand. You also need confidence in yourself that you can conquer the algebra assignment or science report. A can-do attitude doesn't mean smiling a lot and being perky; it means you are passionate about what you know and accomplish. When you feel smart, you will be. Need Homework Help? Take a look at our help groups for: Math Science Writing Also see: Homeschool FAQ Getting organized "Teenage Liberation Handbook" "The First Year of Homeschooling Your Child" Your Complete Guide to Getting Off to the Right Start by Linda Dobson Are you considering homeschooling for your family? Linda Dobson has created a comprehensive guide which will help you determine the appropriate first steps, build your own educational philosophy, and discover the best ways to cater to your child’s specific learning style. In this interview with Linda, we had the opportunity of chatting about: why her homeschooling book helps parents with the "grand educational experiment" of first year; picking the right curriculum; can parents be good homeschooling "teachers"; the most important thing that a beginning homeschooler needs to know; finally she shares with us a FREE excerpt of her book where she shatters a myth of homeschooling, "Myth #4: You Need Teacher Training, Dearie!" I hope you enjoy reading the interview as much as we did doing it. Also, if you have any questions for Linda, please send them to us. "The Future of Education in America" An exclusive interview with William Bennett, Ph.D. hosted by Sue Spataro William J. Bennett has devoted most of his professional life to improving America's schools and studying what works in education. He is the former U.S. Secretary of Education. Dr. Bennett has also served as chairman of the National Endowment for the Humanities and director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy. He has written and edited 14 books—including national bestsellers such as The Educated Child: A Parent's Guide. In this exclusive interview with William Bennett, we discuss: the breakdown of the traditional two-parent family; what's wrong with the public-school system in America; Dr Bennett's new k12.com program; and changing attitudes about homeschooling.		Interview & FREE Excerpt Homeschooling 101 Home Schooling: Is it for you? more Homeschooling Videos more grade school education more homeschooling books "Is Homeschooling Expensive?" Frequently Asked Questions More Bob Books for Reading Reading Education Center 3rd Grade Test Practice 7th Grade Test Practice 8th Grade Test Practice more Test Preparation Materials FAQ: "Should I test my kids?" The Original "Classic" Volume 1 \| Volume 2 The Big Book of Home Learning by Mary Pride more Learn@ Home K-5 series more "Need to Know" K-6 series more Curriculum Guides

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