How To Best Help Fifth Graders with their Homework

As a student enters 5th grade, they already have about 5 years of homework behind them. But, as they approach middle school, the amount of homework increases and the level of independence required increases as well. They are entering those pre-teen years and begin to think they know it all, but still need the guidance of their teachers and parents. Fifth grade is an important year as students prepare for the increased responsibilities that accompany middle school and this 5th grade homework help can be a useful tool. Often they are presented with more long-term projects that require time management skills, math becomes more complex, and writing assignments cover more advanced concepts. Reading and science may also become more analytical. Teachers no longer check that homework is written down; the level of academic responsibility in 6th grade is greater. This can be a make-it or break-it year as students prepare students for these changes.

 The first part of helping your fifth grader with homework is to be sure he is organized. My children have an agenda that is provided to them by their school for recording their daily homework. If your child's school does not provide this, purchase a planner or small notebook where he can write down assignments. My middle schooler is able to access a classroom portal where the teacher posts homework assignments. We try not to rely on it because it does not teach him to be responsible for his assignments, but it is a nice back up. It is also useful when he misses school and we can check to see what he is missing. If your child falls behind on assignments, then when test-time comes, it will be even more difficult to be prepared.

Also be sure you keep a calendar with dates for practices, games, recitals, and other family activities at the ready. If there is a huge science project due on a Monday and you know you will be out of town the entire weekend before it's due, make sure it is done early. This will save you some late nights. There will be plenty of those in college, no need to do them now!

Now, once the work is written down, it has to make it home. Depending on what your school requires, you need to purchase some type of binder or accordion for keeping papers. We like to use something that has sections for each subject and one for homework. It provides a straight-forward way of organizing school work.