Drew M. Hodis
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Strategies for Tackling Homework: Pt. 2 How Parents Can Help

Strategies for Tackling Homework: Pt. 2 How Parents Can Help

Ah, homework. An inevitable, but often unenjoyable, part of school. While many students (and perhaps even parents) dread homework, it is an important part of your student’s education. Read on to learn strategies for tackling homework. If you’re a student, read this article instead.


What’s the Point of Homework, Anyways?

Homework should, ideally, reinforce concepts that students learn in class. In some cases, homework might prepare them for upcoming exams or test their knowledge in preparation for a reinforcement lesson or new, upcoming lessons.

Homework also serves as a tool for students to develop life skills. Some of these skills include managing time, following directions, completing assignments with a deadline, and applying knowledge. All of these skills will be necessary later on in their professional and personal lives.


Strategies for Helping Your Student Tackle Homework

1. Keep the above notes in mind; remember, homework is a tool to help your student learn concepts and gain valuable life skills. Gently remind them of these things when they are reluctant or resistant to working, and encourage positivity. A positive attitude even in the face of unenjoyable tasks will help with homework and beyond.


2. Provide a focused working environment for your student, when possible. Have a desk or table in a quiet room where they won’t be interrupted. If your student must do work in a communal room, encourage other family members to stay out or stay quiet. Consider even setting up quiet time for the whole family to do work for a couple of hours. If that isn’t possible, take your student to a library to focus and do work, or recommend they go on their own if they are old enough.

Keep TVs and music off, cell phones away, or remind them to turn those things off if you notice them. Limit time spent on a computer, or set up apps to limit distractions like Forest, Freedom, or RescueTime.


3. If your student routinely struggles with completing homework on time, consider a system where you can check their upcoming assignments and hold them accountable. Encourage them to use a planner, calendar, or checklist to track assignments, even if they are all available online. It’s important for your student to build new, more effective habits and keep track of all deadlines and assignments in one place. Writing things down physically is also helpful for retaining information.


4. Set a timer for your student to focus on one assignment, or encourage them to do so on their own. Depending on your student, this could be anywhere from 20-45 minutes. Make sure they are completely uninterrupted during that time. Offer to hold onto cell phones, tablets, headphones, and any other distractions during the set time frame. Have small breaks after each assignment time (about 5-10 minutes), then repeat the process for the next assignment.


5. Make sure you or your student notes the problems or questions they struggle with the most or are unable to complete. While it is important for your student to complete their homework, it doesn’t help them to guess or simply fill in answers if they don’t understand how to arrive at the solution.

Once they have noted the problems or questions they struggled with, encourage them to ask their teacher for help or clarification. If the assignment is incomplete, and the student wants help before submitting it for grading, make sure they meet with their teacher prior to the submission time. They might need to schedule time to meet before school, or even a few days before the due date.

If they are unable to meet before the assignment is due, encourage them to complete the assignment to the best of their ability, and make note of the challenging questions. When the assignment is returned, make sure they set up time to meet with their teacher outside of class to go over the assignment and get clarification. If the teacher doesn’t return a homework assignment and only submits a grade, it is even more important for your student to communicate with their teacher and set up a time to go over the challenging problems.

If your student is too young to do this, consider setting up a meeting with the teacher yourself. While teachers, particularly in lower grade levels, should be proactive about notifying parents when they see a student struggling, it is always helpful to be aware of your student’s challenges and work habits, and create a dialogue with their teacher.


Consider Hiring a Tutor

If your student is still struggling with homework, consider hiring a tutor. Tutors can help students understand concepts and even offer helpful tips and tricks for specific problems. They are experts in their field and are familiar with subject material, so you don’t have to rack your brain to remember Algebra 1 or middle school Biology. Tutors can also teach time management and organization skills that will help your student with homework and beyond. Some students might even be more disciplined and receptive to feedback when working with someone who isn’t family.

Hodis Learning & Music tutors and expert educators are ready to help your student tackle homework this year! Give us a call or email us to get started.

by
Rachel Hodis
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Strategies for Tackling Homework

Strategies for Tackling Homework

Strategies for Tackling Homework

Ah, homework. An inevitable, but often unenjoyable, part of school. While many students dread homework, it is an important part of your education.


What’s the Point of Homework, Anyways?

Homework should, ideally, reinforce concepts that you learn in class. In some cases, homework might prepare you for upcoming exams or test your knowledge in preparation for a reinforcement lesson or new, upcoming lessons.

Homework also serves as a tool for students to develop life skills. Some of these skills include managing time, following directions, completing assignments with a deadline, and applying knowledge.


Strategies for Tackling Homework

  1. Keep the above notes in mind as you start receiving homework assignments. Think of homework as a tool to help you learn concepts and gain life skills. Keep a positive attitude. Positivity and open-mindedness can improve your outlook on homework or any daunting task.
  2. Find a quiet place to work without distractions. If it’s too distracting to do work at home, try going to a library. Also, it’s very important to limit distractions like your cell phone, TV, music, or even other browsing tabs open on your computer. You will get through assignments much faster and understand concepts better without multitasking and distractions. Consider turning your phone off or at least on Do Not Disturb Mode while you are working. For your computer, try apps like Forest, Freedom, or RescueTime.
  3. Prioritize your homework based on 1) what’s due first and 2) what you think will take you the most time. If you know math homework tends to take you a while, don’t wait until 10 PM to start it. You might feel the urge to put off the most unappealing tasks, but you will be more focused and capable of doing challenging work if you start it first.
  4. Set a timer for each homework assignment. If you feel frozen in the face of a mountain of assignments, set a 20-25 minute timer for each one. Work without interruption until the timer goes off and stop wherever you are when it does. You might be surprised at how much you are able to get through with 20 minutes of undivided attention. Repeat until your homework is complete!
  5. Make note of the questions and assignments that are especially challenging or time-consuming. Remember, homework is supposed to reinforce concepts. Let your teacher know that you are struggling and ask for additional help or clarification. Oftentimes students just want to be done with the assignment, but their lack of understanding will impact how they do on tests and even how they do for the rest of the year because concepts build on each other. Your teacher should want to see you succeed and offer advice or resources to help you complete homework more efficiently and understand the material.

Consider Hiring a Tutor

If you are still struggling with homework, consider hiring a tutor. Tutors can help you understand concepts and even offer helpful tips and tricks for specific problems. Tutors can also teach you time management and organization skills that will help you with homework and beyond.

If you’re a parent, learn how you can help your student tackle homework in this article.

by
Rachel Hodis
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Educator Spotlight: Jacky H.

New Blog Post: Educator Spotlight. Jacky H. is a math, physics, and Chinese language tutor at Hodis Learning & Music.

What subjects do you teach?

  • Academic Tutoring: AP Physics 1, 2, and C (Mechanics + Electricity & Magnetism), Lower Division Physics, Multivariable Calculus, AP Calculus BC, Algebra 1 and 2, Geometry, AP Chinese Language, and Mandarin
  • Art Lessons: Painting- acrylics, oil, and watercolor

What’s the most rewarding part of being an educator?

The most rewarding part about being an educator is seeing my students improve and succeed in the subjects that were once nightmares for them.

Having had the same experience as many struggling students, I understand that it can be extremely challenging to conquer these academic barriers. Having the ability now to help them overcome their weaknesses is so rewarding!


What are the most common areas you see your students struggling in? How do you help them in those areas?

Though my students are in different grade levels, and vary in subject focus– from science to mathematics– they all seem to struggle in a similar fashion. It’s not that they are incapable of understanding the material, it’s that they don’t have a key or trick to understanding the foundational science or math behind the problems.

It is my job to guide them towards discovering their own trick that helps them remember the information, and help them see that learning is fun.


What do you enjoy doing outside of teaching students?

I enjoy painting outside of teaching students. It helps me to relax and destress from schoolwork, provides me with a fresh perspective on this world, and most importantly, allows me to encapsulate moments and memories in a physical form.


What do you think makes Hodis Learning & Music a great service and company to work for?

The teachers and mentors at the company are all passionate about their studies and teaching. We also all want to make learning easier and more fun for our students!

Schedule Your First Session with Jacky Today!

Call or email us to speak to a representative and sign up for sessions now.

 

Learn more about Jacky.

by
Rachel Hodis
,

How to Handle Your Start of School Feelings

What's your start of school feeling? Photo shows four children, each showing a different emotion: fear, anxiety or stress, happiness and excitement, and anger.

The start of a new school year can bring on a lot of emotions. Whatever your feelings are about starting school again, we have some helpful tips to manage your feelings and use them to start this school year on the right track.


Scared:

Nervous about meeting new people? Starting at a new school? Making friends? These are totally normal things to feel nervous about, but you don’t want to let your fear keep you from all the fun things that can happen at school.

  • TIPS: Talk to someone you trust. Remember a lot of people feel scared about starting something new– you’re not alone. Say something nice to one new person every day. Explore a new club or activity. Get familiar with the campus. Try eating lunch in a different spot each week.


Anxious or Stressed:

Do you get stressed just thinking about all the work you have to do this year?

  • TIPS: Look at your schedule and write down all the important dates for each class. Use daily lists to focus on what you have to do each day. Practice taking 3 deep breaths whenever you start to feel anxious or stressed. Consider starting a meditation or mindfulness practice, even if it’s just for 5-10 minutes every day. Check out more of our tips for starting a productive and stress-free school year.


Happy or Excited:

Feeling excited about starting a new school year is great! It’s an exciting time, so keep your enthusiasm up in all school-related activities.

  • TIPS: Approach new situations with positivity and enthusiasm. Try meeting new people. Reach out to classmates who might seem scared or anxious. Participate in your classes. Introduce yourself to your teachers.


Angry or Upset:

Are you angry about having to wake up early again for school or having less free time? This feeling is understandable, but don’t let it affect your whole year.

  • TIPS: Talk to someone about how you feel. When something makes you angry, try to find one positive thing about it- for example, if homework makes you angry, think about how you might learn something new from it. It might seem silly to do this, but it will help you start to see the positive side of situations. You can’t control a lot in life, but you can control how you think about and react to things.

how to handle your start of school feelings. Consider hiring a tutor.

Consider Hiring an Expert Tutor

Tutors at Hodis Learning & Music have years of experience helping students experiencing the full range of emotions about the start of school. Whether your student is in Kindergarten or in college, we have the right tutors for you! Call or email us today to learn more and get started.

by
Rachel Hodis
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5 Tips for Starting a Productive and Stress-Free School Year

5 Tips for Starting a Productive and Stress-Free School Year. Image shows a chalk board with the blog post's name on it. Books, school supplies, an apple, and a graduation cap can be seen in the photo, along with Hodis Learning & Music's logo.

Can you believe that school is starting already? After a summer of no classes it can be difficult to readjust to the schedule and demands of school. Here are 5 tips to get back into the swing of things a little more swiftly and cultivate a productive, stress-free school year.


1. Reset your sleep schedule.

Many students experience fatigue when returning to school because they’re not used to waking up so early for class. To nip this fatigue in the bud, allow your body to readjust its circadian rhythm by beginning to wake up at the time you will for classes at least a few days before they start.


2. Make a study plan.

I get it, making a study plan is the last thing you want to do while you’re technically still on summer break. But this practice is invaluable as it will prepare you for a less stressful and more productive school year. Look through your syllabi, take note of large exam dates, and schedule blocks of time each week to study and complete homework for each class. Don’t forget to schedule extra study sessions before your big exams, too. Use the roadmap from our Building Strong Study Skills Series to employ the most effective study strategies.


3. Budget time for hanging out.

Yes, you’re in school to receive an education that will prepare you for your career and any future education you may pursue. But school is also full of people and experiences that will stick with you for life. Spending time with good friends is a great way to feel connected, accepted, and happy. So when you’re thinking about your schedule, be sure to budget time for hanging out with friends. If you’re intentional in structuring your schedule, you can give yourself room to excel as a student and a friend.


4. Understand your resources.

Your school likely offers more resources than you are aware of. Give yourself some time to familiarize yourself with resources like college preparation resources, community service recommendations for high school service requirements, and guidance and counseling services. If you’re a college student, look into professors’ office hours, student health services, and organized study groups. And remember, expert private tutors at Hodis Learning & Music are available to serve K-12 and College students. Knowing your options ahead of time will help when you need to use them.


5. Try something new.

If your motivation is struggling from the grind of classes, sometimes changing it up can help. Join a new club or organization on campus or pursue a new hobby. There are so many areas to explore: sports, theater, music, art, etc. Trying something new can help you feel excited again.

Good luck with your start to the new school year! May it be a time of growth and learning.

Start a Stress-Free School Year with an Expert Private Tutor Today

Call or email us to learn more and get started!

by
Rachel Hodis
,

Educator Spotlight: Wu L.

New Blog Post: Educator Spotlight. Photo is of Hodis Learning & Music's math tutor and Mandarin tutor, Wu L.

What’s the most rewarding part of being an educator?

Having immediate positive feedback is one of the most exciting things about being a math tutor. Witnessing the impact I have on a student’s success makes me incredibly happy and satisfied. When students begin to understand concepts in our sessions, they will often excitedly ask me to give them another problem to solve. Watching them solve the problem completely on their own is almost always the most rewarding part of the session – for the student and for me.


What are the most common areas you see your students struggling in? How do you help them in those areas?

One thing I noticed is that students tend to have an abstract, all-encompassing fear of math. Students often say that math is hard for them but have trouble pinning down exactly what is difficult for them. I believe knowing the timetable plays a very important role in students’ liking of math. Having this integral foundation makes the whole math process a lot smoother and it also gives people a sense of confidence to deal with whatever comes next, a sense of readiness. Although it may be daunting for some students to learn their times tables up to 10, it pays off tremendously. I also see many students struggling with fundamental algebra rules such as adding/subtracting fractions, multiplying decimals/fraction etc. With students taking algebraic courses, I like to go through math problems that use all of these basic rules to refresh their memories. Going through these fundamentals can help students identify and tackle their areas needing improvement. And doing so will set them up for success.

What do you enjoy doing outside of teaching students?

I love the outdoors. Camping, hiking, biking or even simply driving on the freeway in wide open country. It helps me to think and connect with myself and helps me cultivate a different perspective. I also love music, especially the music from the late 70s through the 90s. I recently began teaching myself the guitar to learn my favorite song, “Landslide.”


What do you think makes Hodis Learning & Music an excellent service and company to work for?

The company treats its employees well and pays them better than most other tutoring companies while also offering some of the lowest rates around to students. With the rising cost of living, the company is even raising the pay for all of us in August. And on top of that, the company also donates 20 percent of its profits to local nonprofit education organizations such as SPEF and PEF. Giving back to the local community and prioritizing employees’ wellbeing is something I believe in and I am grateful that the company and I are on the same page.

 

Schedule a Session with Wu Today!

Call or email us today to learn more and start sessions.

 

Learn more about Wu.

by
Rachel Hodis
,

3 Tips to Keep Your Student Reading Over the Summer

3 Tips to Keep Your Student Reading Over the Summer. A new blog post on Hodis Learning & Music, an educational connections company that provides academic tutoring, music lessons, and art lessons.

Reading is important for developing literacy, improving vocabulary, building social-emotional skills, and learning about the world and others.

Without school, it can be easy for students to avoid reading for three months, especially if it’s something they already struggle with and don’t like doing. However, it’s important that they continue reading to build their skills and ensure they don’t fall behind in the next school year. Below are 3 ways you can keep your student reading over the summer!

1. Join a Summer Reading Challenge

A reading challenge can be a great way to incentivize students to read during the summer months. Check with your school or local library to see if they have a challenge and how to join. Rules and prizes may vary, but the general idea is that participants keep track of how many books they read, or how many minutes per day they spend reading. You might even be able to create your own reading challenge at home to inspire your student. Use competitive spirit to keep your student reading throughout the summer!

2. Read With Your Student

This strategy might work particularly well for students who are still learning how to read or struggle with reading on their own. Encourage your student to pick the book you’ll read together. They might become more engaged once they have a say in the book they’re reading, rather than reading one assigned by a teacher. You and your student can alternate between reading each page or different paragraphs, depending on the book.

3. Have Your Student Find Books They Like

Take your student to a bookstore or sign them up for a library card and let them explore! As mentioned in suggestion 2, students might find reading more enjoyable when they have a say in the books they are reading. Your student might find they love fantasy series or graphic novels– books they don’t normally get to read for school. While it is important to make sure your student is reading at their grade level, allowing them to read books they choose and are excited about can help them build confidence and learn to enjoy reading. This will ultimately help them improve their reading skills in the long-run.

Build Reading Comprehension Skills With Our Expert Tutors

Sign up for reading comprehension tutoring with our expert English tutors today.

by
Rachel Hodis
,

Summer Activities Around LA

Summer Break Is Here!

We hope everyone made it through their final exams and are now enjoying their summer break! While summer is certainly a time for relaxing and recharging, you can also find fun activities to keep you entertained, active, and even learning during your months off from school!

1. Visit Local Museums

Museums are a great way to spend a couple of hours learning and exploring while staying cool inside. Plus, most museums offer a discount if you present a valid student ID, so you don’t have to pay full price.

2. Attend a Live Music Event

There’s no shortage of live music and entertainment in Los Angeles, but you can’t go wrong with an evening at the Hollywood Bowl or a performance at the Walt Disney Concert Hall. If you’re looking for more affordable or even free options, check out events hosted by your local Parks and Recreation Department, like the South Pasadena Concerts in the Park series.

3. Learn a New Language

Whatever age you are, learning a new language can be a fun, rewarding experience. Whether you’re learning basic conversational skills before a trip abroad or you want to become fluent in a second language, Hodis Learning & Music educators can help make you achieve your goals. Check out what languages we offer here!

4. Experience a Movie Night

Many cities have movie nights in the park throughout the summer months. Pack up blankets, chairs, and some snacks and watch a movie under the stars! Check out your city’s website to see what upcoming events they are hosting.

5. Learn a New Instrument

Feeling inspired after a night of great music at the Hollywood Bowl? Hodis Learning & Music has educators that teach a wide range of instruments including drums, piano, guitar, trumpet, bass, trombone, violin and more! Educators can teach any skill level, so don’t worry about past experience and instead get ready to jam out this summer!

Check out more of our summer activity ideas suggestions.

Make Your Summer Break Memorable With Hodis Learning & Music

Contact us to set up customized, private education programs this summer.

by
Rachel Hodis
,

End of Term Checklist for Students

Congratulations, students! You’ve almost made it through another school year, and a year that hopefully felt more exciting, comfortable, and, well, normal than the previous two school years.

With the end of term approaching, so too are final exams and projects. Here’s a quick checklist for you to follow before you end the year.


1. Check your Grades

This is to ensure that you won’t be surprised when final grades come in. This is also a great opportunity to see if you can make up any work or see what you might need to do on your final assignments to get the best grade possible.


2. Talk to Your Teachers

If you’re behind in a class, missing assignments, or just want to make sure you’re prepared for your final exam or assignment, check in with your teacher. Talking to them now will allow you adequate time to catch up on assignments and prepare without needing to rush. Your teacher will also appreciate hearing from you earlier rather than right before or after the final assignment. Read our guide on talking to your teacher.


3. Create a Timeline

Create timelines to help you approach studying or complete those last assignments for the term. Breaking down your studying will help you retain information better and won’t feel as overwhelming. This same method will help if you’re trying to complete a final project or paper. Trust me, spending just 30 minutes writing every day to finish an essay will be much better than trying to write the whole thing right before the deadline!


4. Book a Tutor

Tutoring sessions will be much more effective and helpful if you have a few weeks to work with a tutor rather than just the day before. Plus, tutors aren’t just for studying or academic classes– book someone to help you write or edit your final research paper, or find an educator who can help you prepare for a year-end musical performance!


5. Plan for Summer

If you truly feel like you might have fallen behind in a class this year, it’s not a bad idea to think about scheduling tailored sessions to help you catch up before next year. You can also schedule summer activities that aren’t academic! Consider music lessons or art instruction, or even a portfolio workshop if you’re looking to take your art skills to the next level.

We wish you the best of luck as you approach the end of another school year!.

by
Drew M. Hodis
,

Building Strong Study Skills Series: Conclusion & Roadmap to Success

Building Strong Study Skill Series: Effective Note Taking. Students studying with a tutor.

Note: This series details how to study smarter, not harder, to help students succeed in their academics. All information in this series draws upon principles from psychological research on learning and memory.

Over the past 10 weeks, this series covered the most, moderately, and least effective study techniques, according to effect sizes in the literature. This series also covered other helpful study skills.

Study Skills Overview:

Best:

Moderate:

Worst:

Helpful Study Skills:

Series Conclusion

Experts recommend that students use a combination of the best and moderate study skills to most effectively learn and retain material. Avoid the worst study techniques at all costs. Use the other helpful study skills in this series to enhance your studying and learning experiences. Good luck on your final exams!

Schedule a session with one of our expert tutors today to receive all the information and guidance you need to gain a deeper understanding of your academics and perform better on your tests! Building effective study habits takes time, so the sooner you get help, the better prepared you will be by the time finals roll around.

Sources:

  • Terry, W.S. (2018). Learning and Memory: Basic Principles, Processes, and Procedures, Fifth Edition. New York, Routledge, a Taylor and Francis Group. ISBN 978-1-13-864591-2.
  • Rhodes, M.G., Cleary, A.M. and DeLosh, E.L. (2020). A Guide to Effective Studying and Learning: Practical Strategies from the Science of Learning. New York, Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-021447-0 (pbk).
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