Effective Homework Help Environments

As a homework helper, you are likely working with children who struggle to keep up in school. They may cope by finding ways to avoid the work–clowning around; distracting themselves; ignoring instructions; or putting little effort into a task. By building a trusting relationship and creating an environment conducive to learning, you can help these youth build the necessary skills to complete homework successfully.

Build trusting relationships. When you meet a student for the first time, get him talking and show interest in what he has to say. The more open-ended a question is, the easier it will be to continue the conversation. Some openers include:

• I bet your teacher reads books to your class. One of my favorites is My Side of the Mountain. What are some of yours?
• I love animals. My favorite is the cheetah because it runs really fast. Which animals do you like?
• I got stuck in traffic getting here today. How do you usually get to school?
• I know lots of kids watch television. Tell me about some TV shows that you like to watch.

Remember that a conversation is an exchange. Offer your ideas but focus most on what the child says. The goal is to put him at ease and encourage him to speak. A good way to do this is to say, That's interesting, tell me more.

When you work together, be open-minded rather than judgmental. Struggling students often feel inadequate or anxious under the scrutiny of teachers and parents. Make it clear that you are there to help and that you respect the child's efforts. For example, imagine a child working on multiplication tables, who correctly solves 7 x 2, 7 x 3, and 7 x 4, but makes a mistake on 7 x 5. Instead of focusing on the error, you might say, You did very well on those. It's clear you know your multiplication. You got three out of four correct. Why don't you try and find your mistake and fix it?

Provide praise that is specific and reinforces accomplishments and new skills. For example: You did a great job summarizing that chapter. I can tell you really understood the main points. Or, You used to get so frustrated when you didn't understand the assignment. Now you understand how to figure out what you need to do and how you will accomplish it.

Establish routines. An established routine sets expectations, helps create a focused atmosphere, and models time organization. Start your homework routine by taking a few minutes to talk about the child's day or chat over a snack. This is an important part of getting homework done. Remember, the child has been in school for six or more hours before sitting down to do homework. A moment to decompress, collect thoughts, and relax the body and mind will result in a more successful session.

Create a physical environment conducive to learning. Volunteers typically provide homework help in after-school settings, although some meet with students during lunch, on weekends, or before school. You will not always control all aspects of your physical environment. In many out-of-school time programs, homework help takes place in a large cafeteria, gym, or other shared room where multiple activities take place, sometimes simultaneously. To the extent possible, find a space that is quiet, well lighted, and provides minimal distractions for your student. Use furniture such as bookcases as a screen, or arrange your desks or chairs so that distractions are somewhat blocked out. If your student is very easily distracted in your current setting, ask your supervisor if there are alternative spaces you can use (O'Connor & McGuire, 1998).

Make the most of your situation. Ideally you will be able to work one-on-one with the same student over time. Sometimes, however, due to inconsistent attendance or program structure, you may provide homework help to different children at each session or provide homework help to small groups of students who may or may not be working on the same assignment.

Effective Homework Help Environments (cont.)