Published: August 13, 2008 10:46 am            

Library Shelf 8-13-08

It’s school time again.

Summer is over, and homework will start soon.

We all know that homework is a necessary, but often disliked activity. Here are some hints to make it a little less of a problem.

Make homework part of your family routine, even if there is no homework that particular day.

Choose a time when homework will be done.

Evenings with no homework can be used for extra practice (drills) on spelling lists, multiplication tables and reading, reading, reading.

Make a space for homework. It does not have to be large space, but it does need to be quiet with few disturbances and close to a parent for easy help.

Have a box of supplies handy, so your child can start easily without a household search for a pencil, paper, dictionary, etc.

Take advantage of the library. We have several on-line databases that can help with research for children’s reports, such as Sirs Discover and Searchasaurus available at http://library.stillwater.org.

We also have helpful books like “Homework without Tears” by Lee Canter and “Every Child Can Succeed” by Cynthia Ulrich Tobias.

Another option is to try reputable Internet sites for assistance.

Two good sites are Kidspace at the Internet Public Library at www.ipl.org/div/kidspace or Fact Monster at www.factmonster.com.

Be sure to ask at the Children’s Help Desk at the library for more assistance.

        

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