Tag Archives: homework

Help for the Homework Overworked

Homework help is online from a variety of sources. The New York City Public Libraries have an excellent resource at www.homeworkNYC.org. Students and parents can freely link to material that will answer many of their questions. Librarians are also available for online chat during the day and via telephone. They cannot solve a particular math problem or write an essay for you, but they will give you the resources and hints you need to do it yourself. Other libraries and school systems are offering similar resources, via Smarthinking, a company which provides technology and training to institutions which want to … Continue reading →

ADHD and that Dreaded Teacher Phone Call

I have two stepdaughters who struggle quite seriously with ADHD. Both girls take a medication called Adderall, which helps, mostly with the hyperactivity. The older of the two is a sweet, gentle girl with beautiful long hair the color of the sunset. So for the purposes of this post I will call her “Sunni.” I want to protect her privacy, as she is a twelve-year-old nearly entering middle school who is tremendously shy and private. The Phone Call Today Sunni’s teacher phoned. She said, “We are having more problems with Sunni’s attention in class.” She then dropped a bomb, and … Continue reading →

Homework: Are You an Involved Parent?

I recently met with a teacher at my oldest son’s junior high school. She said, “I can tell you are an involved parent, and your son’s excellent grades show it.” She added that, according to her observations, the majority of parents were only minimally involved in their children’s academics. Few seemed to know what their kids were doing in their classes and what or whether assignments were due. And yet these same parents then were surprised by their children’s mediocre grades and poor test results. If this is true, it’s a sad thought. I firmly believe that you can have … Continue reading →