For some students, homework is an easy task and they are willing to complete their assignments on time and with great care. For other students, homework is a chore, not only for them, but for their parents as well. In third grade, the homework should take about 45 minutes. But it is 45 minutes of focused work. For some students, various distractions and work habits occasionally extend the homework time. The third grade teachers do not want homework to be a source of great stress for our families. If your child reaches 45 minutes and a point of frustration, parents are able to put an end to the homework- simply write the teacher a note indicating how much was attempted (i.e. Mrs. Dyer, we completed the front side of the math page, but only did the evens on the back). The child will receive full credit for the homework. Here are some other tips to help make the homework routine a little easier. 

  • Set up a specific place for your child to do homework consistently each day. 

  • Be sure the homework desk has all necessary materials (pencils, crayons, colored pencils, pens, glue, scissors, etc.) so that the child does not need to look for supplies around the house. 

  • Play some peaceful, instrumental music in the background if that works for your child (music can help muffle other sounds around the house like dogs, cooking, siblings, etc.) 

  • Set a timer for your child to see how much time they have left before a transition (i.e. going to soccer practice). 

  • Remove distractions such as games, toys, computers, etc. from the homework space. 

  • Set up parent restrictions on iPads, iPhones, etc. to limit the student's use to only homework-related resources (i.e. Raz-Kids, ST Math, TenMarks, etc.) 

  • Have your child check in with you every 20 minutes or so to show you what they have completed (a timer can help with this). 

  • Keep all binders, books, and backpacks in the same place everyday so that morning routines are quick allowing the family to get out the door quickly before school. 

  • Break up homework routines with quick body/movement breaks (i.e. work for 20 minutes, then do 20 jumping jacks to get some wiggles out, then return to work). 

  • Start with the hardest assignments first, then finish with the easiest assignments. 

  • Front load some of the work earlier in the week (i.e. if the child has a 2 hour swim practice on Thursday afternoon, do some of the extra reading on Wednesday night instead).