(StatePoint) When a new school year begins, most teachers don’t wait long before they begin scheduling tests and assigning loads of homework and reading assignments. Here are three tips for helping kids stay on top of all their coursework:
1. Focus on organization: One of the most valuable life skills a student can develop while in school is time management. Teach kids how to prioritize assignments with upcoming deadlines and those which are easy to knock off their to-do list. Encourage them to find an organizational tool, such as an academic planner or calendar, that works for them. Depending on their preferences and learning style, they may prefer to use app-based tools. The important thing is that they always know what is on their to-do list and when it must be completed by. If they are struggling, help them chunk their afternoon into segments so that they budget enough time for each of their tasks.
2. Equip them with high-quality math tools: Math can be a frustrating subject for many students. To make learning simpler, equip them with tools that are incredibly easy to use. With Natural Textbook Display and an intuitive icon menu, the fx-9750GIII graphing calculator from Casio is a solid, affordable choice for quickly grasping new mathematical concepts. And because it features nearly 3,000 functions, including graph plotting, probability distribution, vector arithmetic and spreadsheets, students at all levels will find it an invaluable tool, particularly during test-taking season, as its exam mode makes it approved for the SAT, PSAT, ACT and AP tests. The fx-9750GIII is also capable of programming in CASIO Basic and MicroPython, and Python files are easily stored and transferred via USB to a computer.
3. Set boundaries: As a parent, it’s essential that you support your child in their academic pursuits, however being too hands-on during homework time could lead them to rely on you to provide them with answers, not guidance. While this approach may mean they turn their assignments in on time, if they aren’t absorbing the material themselves they could quickly fall behind in the classroom. Set clear boundaries about what your after-school role will be and stick to it. You can also foster your child’s independence and confidence by helping them differentiate between reliable educational resources and misinformation.
With the right tools and habits, students can keep up with their assignments and make the most of their study time.
