Study Skills in middle school begin with the management of homework assignments.  The 

accurate and punctual completion of these assignments is crucial to academic success. 

Most students struggle with homework at some time or another.  This is understandable, 

because dealing with homework can be a complicated process.  First, the student must 

understand what the assignment is exactly, and write it down correctly.  Second, the proper 

materials must be taken home to complete the assignment.  Third, the assignment must be 

completed correctly, which involves understanding the directions or questions.  And finally, 

the assignment must be brought back to school and given to the teacher.  Very often, this 

process must be done for several assignments at a time.  And it becomes even more 

complicated when the student is absent from school.  Middle school teachers regularly assist 

students with these skills and guidance counselors hold small group counseling sessions for 

students that teachers feel need additional support.  It is also important for parents to be 

involved in this process as most homework is done at home!

What can parents do to help?

 1. Request that students bring home their MSK Planner and classroom binder every day.

2. Review the information in the Planner and binder for homework assignments.

• If your student tells you that there were no homework assignments that day, and this 

becomes a pattern, contact the teachers.

• If your student tells you that the homework was done in school, request that it be brought 

home for you to see each day. (The “I did it in school” excuse won’t work if you ask to see it.)

• Stress the importance of writing down every assignment –not just the ones they may not 

remember! 

3.  Help students set aside a specific block of time for doing homework.

• If your student says that there is no homework, require that the “homework time” be used 

to work on long-term assignments, review for up-coming tests, or do quiet reading. 

“Homework time” should not be used for television, computer games, music or telephone 

conversations.  (Students who are not allowed to do something “fun” instead, usually do their 

homework.)  

• Encourage your student to schedule “homework time” after school or early in the evening.  

(Students who start too late, get tired and often run out of time.)

4. Help students find a quiet, well- lighted place to do homework.

• Homework space should not be a place where other activities are occurring. (Preferably, 

there should be no distractions, such as music or television, in the room.)

5. Assist students with homework time management.  

• Have your student make a list of all assignments that need to be done each evening and 

determine which ones must be done first, second, third, etc.  (It is recommended that 

students do the easiest and shortest one first to encourage getting started, the hardest 

one second, and the ones that could be done at another time, third.  Extra credit 

assignments should always be saved for last.).

• Have your student make a monthly homework calendar where the due dates of long-term 

assignments are clearly written.

• Have your student plan time each day to work on long-term assignments.

6. Assist students with binder organization

• Binders should have a clearly marked, separate section for each subject with pockets 

for loose papers, such as assignment sheets, study questions, etc.

• It is also recommended that binders have a “Take Home” folder for papers that need to 

be signed, such as report card envelopes, field trip permission forms, etc.   

7.  Encourage students to organize homework papers and place them in their 

backpacks before going to bed.

• Plan a little extra time in the morning for your student to get organized before leaving for 

school.

• Put reminders on mirrors, doors, etc., that cue your student to remember to bring 

completed homework back to school.

8.  If students are absent, remind them to ask teachers for missed assignments.

• If your student is going to be out for an extended absence, call the school secretary and 

request that homework assignments be prepared for pick up at the office.

9.  If you have questions or concerns about homework assignments, call or e-mail

the teacher.  Teachers can be emailed by clicking on the "contact" link on

the MSK Staff Pages link from msad71.net 

10.  Stress the importance of homework….doing it every day and getting it in on time!  Be proactive….ask to see completed homework.