make homework fun at home

28 Ideas On How To Make Homework Fun For Students

how to make homework fun

Do your children seem to need continual nagging to complete their homework? If your answer is “yes,” then don’t worry; we’ve all been there. Parents naturally want their kids to advance and do well in class, but after a full day of paper, pens, and books, many students won’t feel like doing their assignments.

No matter what the ages or grades of the students are, academic burnout may happen to any student, which affects overall learning and development. To solve this issue, we have brought 28 ideas on how to make homework fun and interesting for students of any age. Not only for parents but also if you are a tutor, these tricks and tips will come to your use.

28 Ideas on How To Make Homework Fun for Students

Homework enables the students to revise and evaluate the classroom learning and develops a habit of self-study, which in turn helps the students to score better. But it can be energy-draining, challenging, monotonous, and difficult to focus upon for students of any age.

Getting students to enjoy their homework and assignments could be immensely difficult at times. Especially after a long break or vacation, they find it difficult to focus on homework. Simultaneously, the importance of home tasks cannot be ignored. Wondering what the solution is?

It’s easy – why not make the homework fun and engaging? Yes, this is the ALL-IN-ONE solution to create a spark of interest in homework. There is practically a plethora of ways to let students feel enthusiastic while doing homework. However, not every strategy suits every student.

For instance, some students love to go outdoors and complete their homework or study amidst nature. On the other hand, some students simply want to stay indoors and complete home tasks in their study area.

So, while implementing a strategy or adopting ways to make homework fun and interesting, you must make sure you are doing the right thing for the right individual so that the student receives maximum benefits.

Here are 28 brilliant ideas that will guide you on how to make homework fun for elementary, middle, and high schoolers. Take a look:

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1. rewards are magical motivators.

It’s nothing new to provide children with little rewards in the classroom. But when it comes to the concept of homework for students, these approaches are rarely used. Instructors aren’t always aware of what’s offered or if it’s useful, and some parents may create their rewards. A great idea is to offer rewards inside the classroom.

Giving out vouchers, stickers, snacks, toys, or meal coupons that let youngsters earn money by doing their homework is something we advocate. The advantages of these magical motivators include having a friend sitting next to you in class, access to the internet, and unscheduled time in the classroom. If they link accomplishing their tasks to positive classroom experiences, students will be more engaged and motivated both inside and outside of the classroom.

2. Get Some Favorite Snacks

How to make homework fun and captivating? Let’s face the truth: A hungry student will be disinterested, uninspired, and miserable. Give them something healthful and palpable to eat while they do their schoolwork because most young kids are ravenous when they get home from school. Some options are apple slices, popcorn, grapes, crackers, flapjacks, and cheese.

If you want to attempt something a little more systematic, make a list of nutritious after-school snack suggestions and recipes and try them out every day. A delicious, crunchy apple is one of the healthiest nutrients for youngsters’ brain development. Some other nutritious and palpable snacks for students are Pancakes, Butter Popcorn, Fruit-flavored Yogurt, nut mix, sliced pears with ricotta cheese, Banana Smoothies, etc.

3. Beat the Clock

This is perfect for young kids who are reluctant to complete their schoolwork. Try it out, and you’ll thank us later. Young children like competing in races. By creating timed tasks, you may make schoolwork feel more like a race. For instance, keep track of the number of words they can spell properly or the number of arithmetic problems they can do in five minutes. Challenge your child to beat their previous best the next day.

To make it more fun, a little competition with siblings or best friends will work great. Nevertheless, make sure that the competition is healthy and doesn’t turn into an aggressive one. Often, students’ psychology works differently, and they tend to be violent in these kinds of situations.

4. Get A Homework Buddy

Allow your child to have a buddy or two over to study if they struggle with a particular topic or have difficulties concentrating in a quiet, empty room. If a second child is too distracting, set an example by helping your youngster. You may pay bills, prepare supper, respond to emails, or even work on a crossword puzzle or other mental exercise while they are doing their schoolwork.

Working on homework teaches children that work is a part of life, not just school, and fosters friendship without being overpowering.

5. Design an Awesome Workspace

Improve the area where your kids complete their schoolwork to increase efficiency, creativity, and problem-solving abilities. Have tools and materials available, such as cool notepads or notebooks, colored pens, highlighters, and sticky notes, to assist students in completing difficult projects.

Use calendars, whiteboards, chalkboards, corkboards, or even simply paper and tape to help them visualize and keep track of all they need to complete. You may also decorate it with art and other items that inspire you. For pupils older than 5 years old, you may also hang up some aesthetically pleasing motivating quotations and photos in their study space to help them stay focused and goal-oriented.

6. Make Them Feel Comfortable

The comfort level of the students is the first and foremost thing you have to take care of while making them complete their homework. Not every learner has the same comfort level in the same ways, and these levels tend to differ from one person to another. It’s the responsibility of a parent or a teacher to understand their comfort zone and then plan accordingly.

For instance, provide them with a variety of alternatives or let them design their strategy. You might also inquire as to what time they like to complete their assignment. You won’t need to repeatedly remind people of their duties if you reach an agreement.

7. Incorporate Intervals and Breaks

Some learners might be able to finish their entire load of homework in one sitting. If your class has any pupils that can’t sit still, think about introducing breaks into the assignment process. Weekly study regimens can accommodate breaks.

Give a food break, allow them to complete one level of a video game, or let them talk to a buddy during a quick break. To establish expectations for when and how homework breaks should be taken, teachers might talk about these concepts with parents and students.

This functions in two main ways. It first rewards pupils for finishing their schoolwork. In addition, it gives them a mental break so they can come back to their job reenergized and motivated.

8. Role Plays Work Wonders

Create your little school and let your youngster take the role of the instructor to make enjoyable learning-based games. Assume the position of the student, and have your youngster explain a concept to you in the teacher’s role. This game will help players better comprehend the topic and develop their logical and reasoning abilities. It works especially well with courses that call for theory, like science.

By letting your kid pick their favorite stuffed animals and playthings and placing them in their little classroom, you can make schoolwork enjoyable. Begin by registering, saying “mummy,” “gift,” “Mr. Teddy,” etc. Since kids love to pretend to be teachers, you’ll soon notice that your kid is becoming more self-assured.

9. Make Them Stay Positive and Focused

Ensure to keep the students’ attitudes toward school and the values of their schoolwork are always positive. To keep them inspired and on track, shower your youngster with compliments on how great they’re doing. If they are getting pissed off with the pressure of homework, make them understand its importance and how positively it can impact their learning.

Spend five minutes after each homework session going over your child’s accomplishments. Have a look at our selection of free-to-download home learning packs if you’re out of things to do. To keep them motivated, you can reward or recognize their achievements in front of their peers. This will not only boost their confidence but also will help them maintain a positive outlook toward homework and studies.

10. Take It Outside

Outdoor learning is one of the most feasible ways to do homework with fun in a natural environment. If the weather is good, create a cozy and safe study space outside and let the student finish all the homework outdoors.

Studies also demonstrate that being outside, nearer to nature enhances productivity. The fresh air can aid students’ attention if they have spent the entire day in a classroom. In between jobs, rewarding them with a brief game of football or Frisbee will keep them engaged. You can conduct some fun outdoor Math or English fun homework activities.

11. Altering the homework concept

Many kids feel burdened by their homework assignments. What if, though, you adopt a whole new approach to homework? It can be argued that schoolwork has a lot of unfavorable associations. These concepts usually start early in life and persist into college.

By referring to assignments in different ways, teachers can change these mental habits. Better ways to describe homework include home learning, brain workouts, and study time. You might try using these phrases in place of homework in the classroom.

12. Get Help If You Need

Homework can be frustrating if your child doesn’t understand the material or gets bored easily. Furthermore, excessive pressurizing or insisting on too much can mess up the student’s psychology. To be honest, in extreme cases, none of the methods will work. If your child or student is struggling beyond the normal limit, get them some expert help!

Education Advisors have plenty of advice for students who are not able to cope with homework. They also conduct counseling sessions from time to time in case it’s required.

13. Go for Audio-Visual Resources

Engaging additional senses in the at-home learning process is another technique to cheer up your boring assignments. Focus may be improved by using a child’s perception of touch, smell, or taste in a unique manner.

Sending kids home with instructions for making scented play dough, for instance, improve learning. The dough may be used in classes including math and spatial concepts. Plus, the aroma of scented/colored clays keeps kids focused while they work. Additionally, it enables children to link the smell to what they learned, improving memory and recall.

Another item that teachers might give their pupils as a take-home is a stress ball. Before, during, or after tasks, using a stress ball can encourage creative thinking and anxiety reduction positively.

14. Meditation Can Reduce Stress

Stress is not something that happens only to adults. With the increased competition in academics, young learners nowadays are suffering from severe stress, which ushers’ negative impacts on their mental health. Sometimes, both the little children and older students can’t express this stress and fail to explain how they are feeling.

Homework pressure often creates such challenging situations which disrupt the emotional equilibrium of youngsters. In situations like this, meditation can reduce stress and improve focus. Positive thinking, fear and the tension and anxiety that lead to depression may all be lessened by meditation. Being aware without judgment is one of the foundational elements of meditation, and this attitude of acceptance may ward against unpleasant thoughts.

15. Make It a Group Effort

Since time immemorial, team working is super effective for any activity. The same applies to homework as well. If students sit for the home task in a group, they will be able to wrap all the assignments up quickly.

Now the question is – how? Teamwork involves group discussions as well as brainstorming, which gives rise to new ideas. Students try to develop new ways to complete homework through mutual discussion.

16. Take Help from Learning Apps and Libraries

If your child struggles with their homework, it can be difficult for you as well. Games and visual examples in amusing math practice applications may be a terrific way to give your youngster practice with things he is having trouble with. Therefore, make schoolwork enjoyable for your youngster by downloading an app that simplifies the subject.

There are so many online applications and libraries that will help students enjoy fun and encouraging homework sessions. If the toddler or an older student specifically refers to a particular app or a website, talk to him/her about it properly. Then visit the online resource, and if you think it is a legit and helpful one, let your child or student use it during his/her homework time.

17. Tell Them Not to Take It Too Seriously

There are more important things in life than homework and grades. Too much focus on grades can affect your child’s love for learning. Think about what values you want to instill in your child and make sure the homework is not getting in the way.

If you believe your child’s teacher is giving out too much homework after you see your child demonstrate an understanding of the subject, don’t be afraid to voice your concern. Even if nothing changes, it will show your children that you care and empathize with them. That matters a lot!

18. Storytelling Can Be a Great Idea

Storytelling is a fantastic idea to make children complete their homework without facing any boredom. Especially for specific subjects like Math, History, and Literature, storytelling develops a context that allows the students to grasp things very easily.

If you find a student is finding it difficult to understand a concept and complete assignments on it, you can give a try to the storytelling method a since it works well. Storytelling has the power to captivate learners and keep them engaged irrespective of their age and grades.

19. Create A Homework Mood

Creating a mood for homework is a bit difficult for younger students but setting the right environment can help them complete the tasks as quickly as possible. However, it’s not an issue for the senior students but can be a bit overwhelming for the little kids.

You can select a comfortable location for them to study and use their favorite stickers, lights, etc., to decorate the space. Keeping in mind the results as well as their abilities to take the pressure, set goals and establish rewards. It’s vital to make them understand the goals and disclose a bit about the rewards but don’t let them know exactly what’s going to happen. This will create an enthusiasm to complete the homework in no time.

20. Turn on Some Music

The psychological effects of music are undeniable. Music brings concentration and helps to focus on a particular work pleasantly. Then why not use it for your children’s homework? Science dictates that music is the best aid for studying.

Play some soft music while the student is doing his/her homework and this will help to create an ambiance. You can also play cool, energetic, upbeat music since it radiates energetic vibes and the student will find immense energy as well as positivity to complete the tasks.

21. Ask Them to Do the Tough Tasks First

One more cool thing to try out is doing the tough tasks first. It’s a perfect strategy if the student has a list of various tasks of different levels of complexity. You will be able to realize how much time he/she needs to complete the tasks and edit afterward if needed.

Completing the more complex tasks at first enables a student to think and decide critically. The remaining time can be enjoyed with much lower stress while doing the easier assignments. If your child gets bored very quickly you can try this method out.

22. Get Creative

Wondering how to make homework fun creatively? Homework doesn’t sound exciting to students. To be more specific, solving sums after sums or writing science projects doesn’t sound fun alone. Rather, if you mingle these tasks with an artsy adventure, the same old boring homework sessions become interesting.

For instance, you can ask them to paint out the math problems, prepare a model for their science projects, or act a portion of the history or literature books. Some other effective ideas may include creating a range of paintings while explaining a paragraph to a child, making clay characters, and doing some moves with the music.

23. Doing Homework at School

Nowadays, as the syllabuses are changing, students have too much pressure from homework to deal with. After coming home from school, it’s quite natural for them to feel exhausted. At times it becomes impossible for a kid to keep their eyes open for homework.

The best remedy here is to complete the majority of their homework at school. Your child also doesn’t have to stay up all night looking for answers or trying to understand how to remember academic facts. They can use their free time at school to complete some of the homework to stay relaxed later. Also, completing homework with peers involves so much engagement and fun.

24. Ask Them to Work on Different Subjects in a Session

Are you trying to know how to make homework fun without putting in much effort? Plan a routine for your child so that they can work on different subjects in a single session. Try to mix and match the subjects to make them feel comfortable with the pace of the study.

Working on a maximum of 3 subjects a session will help a student to get rid of the homework quickly without considering it as a pressure. Ensure they are not in a rush to complete one subject after another. Make it as systematic and orderly as you can to avoid any unwanted confusion.

25. Get Academic Help

Getting a little homework help is a feasible way to make homework fun. Nevertheless, you must make sure that none of you, the teachers, or the program facilitators are not spoon-feeding them, or else it will affect the student’s development in terms of learning.

If there is a math problem that is too difficult to solve or a paragraph with heavy words, you or the tutor can give your helping hand to the student so that he/she can complete it on his/her own. For instance, you can give a clue to solve the sum or narrate the context of the paragraph.

26. Planning Is the Key

Planning is a powerful habit to make homework sessions fun and organized. Not only at school, but also this habit will help a student throughout his/her life. It’s required for a student to be extremely serious about homework in a studying period and systematic planning can help in completing all the assignments on time.

If your child is in high school or middle school, you can guide him/her to make homework routines. However, elementary school kids and preschool students need their parents’ or teachers’ assistance to make advanced homework plans.

27. Ask Them to Write on Their Favorite Topics

Working on something you love will make you feel more connected to the work. The same applies to both the kids’ homework and older students’ homework. If you are thinking about how to make doing homework fun, you can ask them to write a paragraph or a short essay on their favorite topics.

To implement this strategy, first, talk to the students on a one-on-one basis and try to know their individual preferences in terms of writing. Then assign them a task where they will write whatever they want on their favorite topics. This will act as a warm-up session before doing the homework.

28. Provide Choice

One of the key reasons why younger and older students become disengaged with their homework is they find it meaningless. This is where the mentors and the parents have to play the biggest role. They need to make the student understand why homework is important and how it can benefit them in the future.

This will make the kids’ homework sessions more engaging and they will be able to connect emotionally or personally. How to make homework fun in this way? It’s simple, provide the students with more choices while assigning the homework. For instance, if there is a tough project, they can choose to work alone on it or work with partners.

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Elementary school homework tips.

Homework gives elementary students a way to practice the concepts. But you have to be very careful while making them do the home tasks as at this age they don’t develop an understanding regarding the benefits of homework. To them, homework is just something that parents and teachers use to restrict them from doing what they want.

Below are some effective tips on how to make homework fun for kindergarten students.

  • Make sure kids have a creative, engaging, and well-lit place to do the homework.
  • Give the kids delicious snacks from time to time so that they don’t get distracted due to hunger.
  • Encourage the children to complete their homework by giving them small rewards or recognizing their efforts to make the entire process more manageable.
  • Instead of dictating to them what to do and threatening them, be a mentor, a leader, and a motivator.
  • Create a homework routine for elementary students manually or use desktop app for planning your homework. Don’t forget to keep short breaks in between.
  • Try to keep distractions to a minimum. This means no phone calls, loud music, and TV during homework time.

Set good examples for them but without comparing them with anybody. Have you ever seen your little one saving money? Point that quality out, praise him/her for it, and set it as an example.

Middle School Homework Tips

Middle school students develop a fair understanding of the importance of homework. So, you are not supposed to face much trouble to make them complete their tasks. Check out these middle school homework tips below. These tips will work wonders if you are looking for ways to make homework fun for 7th graders or 8th graders.

  • Designate a specific amount of time for homework. This will help them to complete work on time.
  • Help them prioritize which tasks to do on a priority basis. In this way, they will develop the ability to make decisions.
  • Continuously encourage them to evaluate their work so that they can find the mistakes and correct them on their own.
  • Put away the phone to prevent them from being distracted from time to time.
  • When needed, help them to complete homework instead of spoon-feeding the whole thing. Give clues to solve a sum, point out some important areas, or explain them in a paragraph so that they can complete the next tasks by themselves.
  • Don’t pressurize or force yourself to do homework. Parents need to know when to stop, especially when they are feeling exhausted, frustrated, and confused.

High School Homework Tips

When it comes to homework, high school students are better able to manage their time, stay focused and finish their tasks. This enables them to understand the value of homework. They don’t do any tantrums and get less distracted because they understand the consequences of not completing home tasks on time. But if you want to know how to make homework more enjoyable for high school students throughout the school year, here are some effective tips:

  • Tell them to write down their homework every day in a notebook, or a planner to keep it more organized.
  • Ask them to write their homework with a blue pen on a white sheet to remember their writing. Also, it’s the best combo to do homework faster.
  • Help your teens to divide their homework schedule in a planned way and keep short breaks to freshen up their minds. For instance, if they work for 30 minutes, they can take a 5 minutes break.
  • Doing homework with buddies is a proven method to complete homework on time and also in an accurate manner.
  • If they get stuck while doing any specific homework, ask them to take help from online resources, libraries, video demonstrations, and journals.

Homework Dos and Don’ts

Let’s face it – nobody loves homework although it’s super important for your child’s learning and development. While high school students understand the importance and need of doing school assignments at home, elementary and preschool children can’t develop the understanding at their age.

Several things are to be kept in mind while expecting homework from students in proper time. To make the students complete their homework happily, we have brought some amazing dos and don’ts that parents or teachers need to follow:

Homework Do’s

1. monitor the answers.

After your child has completed his/her homework, check it once to find what went right and what went wrong. If you find any mistake in his/her work, try not to point that out directly. Instead, give your youngster clues so that he/she can find out the mistakes now.

2. Remove the Distractions

Thinking about how to make homework more fun for your child? Remove the distractions from the study room first including social media on the computer, mobile phones, unnecessary toys, etc. Remember, a decluttered environment is the reason behind a decluttered head. They will be able to focus more on the homework when there isn’t a pile of distractions around them.

3. Be A Cheerleader

Always be your child’s motivator when he/she is doing homework. Students may not be correct always but humiliating them may make them demotivated and frustrated at the same time. Celebrate small successes such as completion of the tasks within time, the maximum number of correct answers, the maximum time the child has devoted to homework, etc. Give treats like candies, stickers, pens/pencils, and colored boxes to celebrate their success.

4. Work in Collaboration

The parents and the children need to work together in terms of homework. There must be a proper channel of communication between both parties so that the child’s overall performance can be monitored.

Homework Don’ts

1. don’t force them to homework.

Forcing a student to do the homework can bring immensely negative results. Children won’t like homework – it’s quite normal but forcefully making them do it is tremendously fatal as it will develop a permanent fear or discomfort that will hamper their overall growth.

2. Don’t Show Them Your Frustration

Kids have a lot of tantrums. Especially, the tantrums increase while doing homework. Often teachers and parents get frustrated but showing them the frustration is not at all a good idea. Not only will the child become stubborn but also, they will develop a fear of doing assignments or getting help from you. If you want to make homework fun for 6th graders or students of any other grades, don’t show your frustration in front of them.

3. Don’t Compare with Their Peers

Comparison is something that demotivates a child to a great extent. It develops a deep resentment in their mind which doesn’t fade away even after growing older. Comparing their grades or skills with their peers is probably the worst idea to make students do homework.

4. Don’t Keep Electronic Devices in Front of Them

Yes, you can give the students electronic gadgets for a few minutes as small rewards but don’t keep the devices in front of them all the time when they are doing homework. This may loosen their concentration and will make them distracted from their respective tasks.

How A Homework Planning App Can Help a Student?

A homework app is the best time-management tool that enables students to organize everything they need to do throughout a week, month, academic year, or semester. It’s an easy way to keep your homework sessions organized. In case you are still thinking about how to make homework fun for your child, software with proper features of homework planning can help him/her out.

The academic pressure on school children sometimes becomes too difficult to handle, especially when there is so much to do. This is where student planners for their home assignments are found to be beneficial. Here is an explanation of how an efficient home assignment planning tool can help students finish their tasks on time:

1. Gives Students A Break

It might also be helpful to make sure that kids have some downtime to unwind and not become overburdened with assignments. If teachers are assigning homework through software, they will see how long a piece of homework will take to be completed, and they can allocate the tasks accordingly scheduling breaks in between.

2. Reduces Stress

Homework pressure may not sound like a big deal to you because you have already left those days behind but to your child, it’s a headache. The fear of being scolded by parents/teachers is one of their biggest concerns to them. Thanks to digital planners, these tools know exactly how to help each student in a customized way.

3. Increases Productivity

How to make homework interesting? Students who use a school planner are more productive and can manage their time more effectively. Students today struggle with procrastination because the internet age offers so many diversions. However, if they have noted down the tasks they must complete, they will be more motivated to complete them.

4. Easier for Parents and Teachers

A homework app with intuitive features of planning helps to complete an assignment within time in a systematic manner. Younger students who still rely on the help of their parents and teachers to do their schoolwork often fail to inform them about their homework status. Having homework software can easily sort this problem out and reduces mentors’ work and hassle.

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How to make homework fun with clarifi.

To assist students to achieve their highest potential, Clarifi is a homework software that acts as an ideal digital homework attention coach. We are dedicated to helping students achieve their academic goals. The pupils may complete their homework independently with the help of this digital planning app for homework.

It is a straightforward and uncomplicated desktop program that gives them more confidence to finish their assignment as quickly and effectively as possible. It is the only research-backed desktop application that enables children who are easily distracted to do their schoolwork without a parent watching over them. Monitoring student behavior is the only way to be sure they are doing their assignments.

However, keeping track of pupils’ activity is a time-consuming and important duty. However, Clarifi is available to make this procedure as easy as possible. With the aid of this program, students can effortlessly enter each homework assignment and keep track of the due dates for each one based on the class or the current day.

They receive prizes from the automated coach for maintaining concentration and doing their homework. When all pupils turn in their schoolwork on time, they will receive diamonds as a reward. This element motivates pupils to develop the positive habit of finishing their home assignments on time. Clarifi is an easy digital homework attention planner that provides kids with the ability to filter out distractions, improve their executive functioning, and keep all of their assignments organized in one location.

Clarifi guarantees to raise their capacity for concentration and focus as well as their academic performance. It incorporates functions that provide users the means to remain centered, motivated, and organized while finishing their schoolwork on their own. When kids use the app, it is specially designed with cutting-edge technology that blocks all other apps.

Generating an undistracted and focused environment for students with Clarifi is the answer to “how to make homework less boring.”

Students Can Now Complete Homework with Fun!

With these tricks and tips, students can now efficiently engage themselves in homework. Learners need to study and complete their homework/assignments with a positive mindset and not forcefully. As soon as a student starts doing his/her homework strenuously, the interest is eventually lost, leading to mistakes and burnout.

But with the tricks mentioned above, homework sessions can now be immensely fun and interesting. Whether you are a teacher, parent, or student, these are some tried and tested ways to complete home tasks engagingly. Stay tuned to Clarifi for similar informative blogs like this. If to need help with your children’s homework and know more about how to make homework fun get in touch with Clarifi today.

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How to Make Homework Fun

How to make homework fun

  • Post author By admin
  • September 6, 2023

Discover engaging strategies for how to make homework fun. Explore personalized study spaces, gamification, collaboration, and more to make learning enjoyable.

Hey there, homework warriors! Let’s face it, homework often gets a bad rap for being a total buzzkill. The mere thought of it can make us want to escape to a world of video games, socializing, or anything but those looming assignments. But guess what? It doesn’t have to be that way!

In this article, we’re about to embark on a journey to uncover the secret sauce of making homework downright fun. That’s right, we’re flipping the script and turning the dreaded “H-word” into an exciting adventure.

So, if you’re ready to banish the boredom and inject some pizzazz into your study sessions, keep reading. We’ve got 15 game-changing tips coming your way to transform homework from a chore into a choice activity!

Table of Contents

How to Make Homework Fun?

Have a close look at how to make homework fun:-

Design a Homework Haven

Transforming a corner of your room into a cozy study nook is all about creating an inviting space that inspires productivity. Consider adding a:

Comfy Chair

Choose a chair with good lumbar support and a cushioned seat for long study sessions.

Soft Cushions

Scatter a few soft cushions on your chair or on the floor to make the nook extra inviting.

Motivational Posters

Hang up posters with motivational quotes or images that resonate with your goals. For instance, a poster featuring a quote like “You’ve Got This!” can provide daily encouragement.

Set a Homework Schedule

Creating a daily study schedule tailored to your rhythm can significantly boost your productivity. Here’s how to go about it:

Identify Your Peak Hours

Pay attention to when you feel most alert and focused during the day. Are you a morning person, or does your energy peak in the evening?

Designate Prime Study Time

Once you’ve identified your prime hours, set aside that time for your most challenging subjects or tasks. For example, if you’re a night owl, designate 8 PM to 10 PM as your prime study time.

Set Goals and Rewards

Setting goals and rewards can turn studying into a thrilling game. Here’s how to make it work:

Task-Based Rewards

Break your study session into smaller tasks. For instance, if you have a 2-hour study session, set a timer for every 30 minutes. When you complete a task within the allotted time, reward yourself with a mini-break or a quick treat.

Dance Breaks

After accomplishing a particularly tough assignment or study session, treat yourself to a five-minute dance break to your favorite upbeat song.

Group Study Sessions

Studying with friends can make homework a social and interactive experience. Here’s how to organize a productive group study session:

Choose Study Buddies

Invite friends who are equally committed to studying. Avoid distractions and focus on collaborative learning.

During breaks, enjoy some snacks and refreshments together. It’s an excellent opportunity to bond and recharge.

Gamify Your Homework

Turning your assignments into a game can make them engaging and competitive. Here’s an example:

Math Challenges

For every correct math problem you solve, award yourself points. Set a target, like 100 points. Once you reach that goal, treat yourself to a favorite dessert or activity.

Use Technology Wisely

Leveraging educational apps and websites can make learning enjoyable. Consider:

Learning Languages

Apps like Duolingo and Babbel gamify language learning with interactive lessons and quizzes.

Science Simulations

Websites like PhET Interactive Simulations offer fun science experiments and simulations.

Listen to Music

Creating a playlist for different study moods can set the tone for productive work:

Upbeat Playlist

Compile lively tunes for subjects like math or science to keep your energy high.

Chillout Playlist

Use calming melodies for reading assignments or essay writing to stay focused.

Change Your Study Materials

Enhance your study materials with colors and visual appeal:

Colorful Notes

When taking notes, use different colored pens for headings, key points, and examples. Highlight important concepts with bright markers.

Create a Homework Playlist

Crafting a motivational playlist can boost your enthusiasm for study sessions:

Personalized Mix

Include songs that motivate you. Whether it’s energetic rock, inspiring pop, or calming instrumental, curate a playlist that resonates with you.

Relate Homework to Real Life

Connecting assignments to real-life situations can make them more meaningful. For example:

Applying Math

If you’re learning about percentages, practice by calculating discounts while shopping online. It’s a practical application of what you’re studying.

Ask for Help When Needed

Don’t hesitate to seek assistance when you’re stuck:

Online Tutors

Utilize online tutoring services like Khan Academy or Chegg when you need clarification on complex topics.

Celebrate Your Achievements

Reward yourself for completing challenging assignments:

Mini Rewards

After finishing a tough essay or solving a set of difficult problems, treat yourself to a favorite snack or a short episode of your favorite TV show.

Use Colorful Visual Aids

Visual aids can make complex topics easier to understand:

Timeline for History

Create a timeline of historical events using colorful markers and sticky notes. It helps you visualize the sequence of historical occurrences.

Stay Organized

Organization is key for effective studying:

Digital Planner

Use digital tools like Google Calendar or Todoist to keep track of assignments and due dates. Set reminders to stay on top of your tasks.

By incorporating these detailed strategies and examples, you can transform your homework routine into an enjoyable and productive experience tailored to your preferences and learning style.

These examples demonstrate practical ways to infuse fun and engagement into your homework routine, making the learning process more enjoyable and productive.

What are ways to make homework fun?

  • Create a Comfortable Space: Design a cozy study spot with your favorite things.
  • Set a Schedule: Stick to a regular study routine that suits you.
  • Break Tasks Down: Divide homework into smaller, manageable chunks.
  • Reward Yourself: Treat yourself after completing tasks or goals.
  • Study with Friends: Make it social by studying with buddies.
  • Use Apps: Try fun and educational apps for learning.
  • Listen to Music: Create a motivating study playlist.
  • Make It Visual: Use colors and visuals to make notes pop.
  • Connect to Real Life: Relate homework to everyday situations.
  • Stay Organized: Use planners to stay on top of assignments.

These simple tips can make homework less daunting and more enjoyable.

How do I make my homework less boring?

Want to jazz up your homework and banish the boredom? Here’s the lowdown:

Create Your Happy Place

Start by transforming your study spot into a haven of fun. Add some quirky decorations, fairy lights, or even a cozy blanket fort – whatever makes you smile.

Slice and Dice

Homework can feel like a mountain, right? Well, cut it into bite-sized chunks. Tackling one piece at a time feels way less overwhelming.

Goals with a Side of Rewards

Set yourself mini-goals and sprinkle rewards on top. Finish that math problem? Treat yourself to a victory dance or a mini snack party.

Study Squad

Invite a friend for a study date. You can help each other out and share some giggles during breaks.

Homework Gamified

Turn your homework into a game. Assign points or rewards for completing tasks. Hit a certain score, and it’s time to indulge in your favorite treat.

Dive into educational apps or websites. Learning becomes a blast when it’s interactive and entertaining.

Musical Motivation

Craft a playlist with your favorite tunes. Pop on some energetic beats for those math equations, or soothing melodies for reading assignments.

Colorful Creativity

Don’t just take notes, make them a work of art with colorful pens and highlighters. Visuals can make studying way more interesting.

Real-World Homework

Connect your assignments to real life. If you’re tackling percentages, apply them to calculate discounts while shopping online.

Stay Organized and Sane

Keep your homework organized using planners or digital tools. No more last-minute panics about forgotten deadlines.

With these tricks up your sleeve, homework will become a breeze, and you might even have some fun along the way!

:

How do I make myself enjoy homework?

Making yourself enjoy homework can be a challenge, but it’s possible with a few mindset shifts and strategies:

Find Purpose

Understand why you’re doing the homework. Connect it to your long-term goals and how it benefits you. Knowing the “why” can make it more meaningful.

Positive Mindset

Approach homework with a positive attitude. Focus on the sense of accomplishment you’ll feel when you complete it.

Set Realistic Goals

Break your homework into smaller tasks and set achievable goals. Completing each part can give you a sense of progress and satisfaction.

Create a Comfortable Space

Design a cozy and organized study area that you enjoy spending time in. A pleasant environment can make a big difference.

Mix up your subjects and tasks to avoid monotony. Switching between different assignments can keep things interesting.

Set a Schedule

Establish a study routine that suits your natural rhythm. Find the time of day when you’re most alert and use it for more challenging tasks.

Reward Yourself

Treat yourself after completing homework or reaching specific milestones. It can be as simple as a small snack, a short break, or doing something you love.

Stay Engaged

Try to actively engage with the material. Ask questions, discuss concepts with classmates, or relate it to real-life situations.

Study Groups

Consider joining or creating study groups with friends. Discussing topics and helping each other can make the process more enjoyable.

Celebrate Progress

Celebrate your achievements, even small ones. Recognize your efforts and improvements.

Mindfulness Techniques

Practice mindfulness or relaxation techniques before starting homework to reduce stress and increase focus.

If you’re struggling with a particular subject, don’t hesitate to ask for help from teachers, classmates, or online resources.

Visual Aids

Use visual aids like diagrams, charts, or flashcards to make studying more engaging and easier to grasp.

Incorporate Interests

If possible, relate homework topics to your interests or hobbies. It can make the material more relatable and enjoyable.

Use planners or digital tools to keep track of assignments, due dates, and progress. Being organized can reduce stress.

Remember that enjoying homework might not happen overnight, but by implementing these strategies and maintaining a positive mindset, you can make the process more enjoyable and rewarding.

How can I make my high school homework fun?

Making high school homework fun requires creativity and a positive attitude. Here are some tips to make your high school homework more enjoyable:

Personalize Your Space

Create a study environment that reflects your personality and interests. Decorate your study area with posters, photos, or artwork that inspires you.

Set a Homework Routine

Establish a consistent homework routine that aligns with your energy levels. Determine the best time of day for you to focus and stick to it.

Break Tasks into Smaller Steps

Divide your assignments into smaller, manageable tasks. Completing each step feels like an accomplishment and keeps you motivated.

Incorporate technology into your homework. Explore educational apps and websites that make learning interactive and engaging.

Study with Friends

Organize study groups with friends to tackle assignments together. You can explain concepts to each other and share different perspectives.

Gamify Your Learning

Turn your homework into a game. Set challenges, time limits, or point systems for completing tasks. Reward yourself when you meet your goals.

Create playlists for different subjects or moods. Upbeat music can boost your energy for math, while calming tunes can help you concentrate on reading assignments.

Experiment with different study materials. Use colorful pens, highlighters, or digital tools to make your notes visually appealing.

Real-Life Applications

Relate your homework to real-life situations whenever possible. For example, if you’re studying economics, analyze current events or business news .

Seek Support

Don’t hesitate to ask for help when needed. Reach out to teachers, classmates, or online resources for clarification or guidance.

Celebrate Achievements

Celebrate your accomplishments, no matter how small. Reward yourself with a treat, a short break, or an activity you enjoy after completing homework.

Use planners, to-do lists, or digital tools to stay organized and track assignments and deadlines.

Challenge Yourself

Set personal challenges to make homework more engaging. Aim to finish assignments faster or with higher accuracy than before.

Whenever possible, relate homework topics to your interests or future career goals. It can make the material more relatable and engaging.

Stay Positive

Maintain a positive attitude toward your homework. Focus on the sense of accomplishment and knowledge gained through your efforts.

By incorporating these strategies into your high school homework routine, you can make the experience more enjoyable and productive while achieving academic success.

In conclusion, making homework fun is not just a distant dream; it’s a practical approach that can transform the way you tackle your assignments.

By personalizing your study space, setting goals and rewards, collaborating with friends, and gamifying your learning, you can turn the once-dreaded homework into an engaging adventure.

Incorporating technology, music, colorful materials, and real-life connections adds an extra layer of enjoyment. Remember to celebrate your achievements along the way and stay organized to reduce stress.

With a positive mindset and these strategies in your arsenal, you can embark on your homework journey with enthusiasm, making it not only bearable but genuinely enjoyable.

So, let’s turn the page and dive into the exciting world of learning, one fun homework assignment at a time!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can i really make homework fun.

Absolutely! With the right approach and mindset, homework can be an enjoyable part of your academic journey.

What if I can’t concentrate with music?

Not everyone finds music helpful. Experiment with different study environments to discover what suits you best.

How do I avoid procrastination?

Creating a schedule and setting achievable goals can help you stay on track and avoid procrastination.

What if I still find a particular subject boring?

Try to connect it to your interests or real-life situations to make it more engaging.

How can I make studying with friends productive?

Ensure that your study group remains focused on the task at hand and avoids distractions.

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Making School Fun at Home

This article was previously published on 7/30/2019.

12 Ways to Make School Fun at Home for Students of All Ages

Back to school will look different this year as families and schools continue to navigate the uncertainty of COVID-19. Getting kids to enjoy (or even accept) doing their homework can be a struggle at any age, especially in the fall when students adjust to smaller classes, alternate schedules and a continuation of virtual learning that began in the spring.

For some families, new ways of learning are further complicated by parents’ work schedules and a lack of technology access. According to the Afterschool Alliance, 1 in 5 kids are unsupervised after the school day ends. And millions of families don’t have internet access at home.

During challenging times and busy parenting schedules, there are still ways to make learning at home fun, safe and constructive for students. Over the years, our trained youth mentors and program facilitators have developed lots of strategies and ideas to make homework more fun. Get tips on how to make virtual learning and homework fun in high school, middle school and elementary school so you can help your kid succeed at every age.

Ideas to Make Homework Fun for Elementary, Middle and High Schoolers

Many kids find homework assignments boring or simply get restless when asked to sit down and study – but that doesn’t mean they all need the same kind of motivation. Avoid a one-size-fits-all approach to homework help by using these age-appropriate tips.

Fun homework

Elementary School Homework Tips

Little kids frequently have trouble focusing on virtual learning and homework, especially when there are so many distractions and fun things to play with at home. The solution? Make learning more like playtime.   

  • Create fun focus spaces. Kids often work on homework in their rooms or wherever there’s a little spare table space – but kids’ rooms and common areas are usually filled with distractions. Before this school year starts, create a special “homework zone” in part of the home that’s more peaceful. (A “homework fort” is always a hit with young kids, as long as it’s well lit.) Stock this area with lots of colorful school supplies so there’s no reason to leave until their homework is all done.
  • Beat the clock. Young kids love racing to the finish. Make homework more like a race by setting up timed challenges. For example, count how many words they can spell correctly or math problems they can solve in the span of 5 minutes. The next day, challenge your kid to beat their own record. (A little competition can work great with siblings, too.)
  • Try learning apps. Support the subjects your kid studies in school with apps that make learning about it more fun. This tip is especially helpful for subjects that you or your kid struggle with. Some of our favorite educational apps include DragonBox for math, Spelling Stage for spelling, and DuoLingo , which offers learning-based games in Spanish, French and many other languages.
  • Team up with tunes. Just like the Alphabet Song teaches kids their ABCs, there are plenty of songs out there to help specific subjects stick. Search YouTube to find songs covering a range of subjects, including the planets in our solar system, the days of the week and months of the year, U.S. states and capitals, how to add or subtract, and pretty much any other educational topic you can imagine. If you can’t find a song on a given subject, try making one up together.

Jim

Middle School Homework Tips

In middle school, students gain more independence to work alone or with peers. Encourage their developing maturity with a little structure and loads of support.

  • Use power hours. Power hours challenge kids to focus for a certain amount of time. Once the timer goes off, they can take a quick break before diving in again. Offering little rewards after productive power hour sessions is a great incentive at this age, too.
  • Plan study dates. If your kid struggles in a certain subject or has trouble focusing in a quiet, empty room, let them invite a friend or two over to study. Just remember to follow current safety and social distancing guidelines. If another kid is too much of a distraction, set the tone by working alongside your child. While they do homework, you can pay bills, make dinner, reply to emails, or even work on a crossword puzzle or another brain game. Doing “adult homework” creates a sense of companionship without being too overbearing – and it can help kids learn that work is a part of life, not just a part of school.
  • Make a routine. Lack of routine can be stressful for kids. Setting a regular schedule for homework, or the school day for kids learning at home, can help reduce resistance and improve consistency. Beyond planning time for homework, come up with other little rituals that can help your kid focus, from putting on their current favorite album in the background to using prizes and other incentives to reward good work, like a small treat for every complete assignment.
  • Stay positive. Your attitude has a huge impact on how your kid sees the world, especially in the formative middle school years. Keep tabs on your own attitude toward your kid’s homework. If you see helping your kid with homework as a chore, your kid will probably feel that way about it, too. Instead, try to see homework help as a fun, productive time when you both can learn and hang out together.

Jim

High School Homework Tips

When students reach high school, having parents hanging around to nag them about homework doesn’t always help. Instead of implementing these homework strategies for high schoolers yourself, show this list to your teenager and help them come up with a plan they can stick to. Then, take a step back. Check in with your teen every week or so to see if their plan needs tweaking.

  • Get organized . High school is the perfect time to start preparing for the life you want to lead after you leave home. To achieve your goals, you have to make plans and stick to them. It’s the same with homework. When you get your assignments for the week, month or semester, take some time before jumping in to sort through the deadlines and requirements. Then, come up with a schedule and a realistic plan of attack. Use a day planner, calendar app, or time management app like Asana to make to-do lists for yourself – trust us, it feels great to cross stuff off your list.
  • Reward yourself . It’s easier to work hard when you know there’s a reward at the end of it. Set a study timer, and if you’ve focused on homework until the timer goes off, reward yourself with a favorite snack, a funny video, an epic solo dance party or a little social media time.
  • Upgrade your workspace. Spruce up the place you do virtual learning and homework to fuel your productivity, imagination and problem-solving skills. Keep tools and supplies on hand to help you work through challenging assignments, like colorful pens, highlighters, sticky notes, and cool notepads or notebooks. Decorate with art and other objects that inspire you, and use calendars, whiteboards, chalkboards, corkboards, or even just paper and tape to help visualize and keep track of everything you have to do.
  • Turn up the beats. Spotify has tons of playlists dedicated to productivity, from ambient noise to instrumental hip-hop. Find a few go-to playlists that help keep you focused and put one on whenever you have to zone in. Explore movie soundtracks and other kinds of instrumental music to avoid distracting lyrics.

Homework Help from BGCA

Every day, thousands of kids and parents rely on Boys & Girls Clubs of America for homework help and out-of-school support, especially in the crucial hours after school lets out and during the summer months. Explore our website to learn more about our programs , find your nearest club or support BGCA today.

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7 Ways to Make Homework Fun (Seriously!)

dads making homework fun

Make homework fun by changing the way you look at it

Your kids just spent all day at school. And now you’re asking them to do what? Homework? Hey, that’s kind of like having school at home. After an entire day of paper, pencils, and books, your child may resist (and that’s putting it politely) getting down to business during the after-school hours. Don’t stress out. Whether your child has to study a vocab list, do a few zillion math equations, or finish a few extra assignments, we’re sharing seven tips that can magically transform homework from a super-struggle to some serious fun!

kids working on homework

1. Work Together Why not be hands-off when it comes to your kid’s homework, while still working beside one another? Return emails, answer your co-worker’s texts or work on the PTA fundraiser, modeling focused work to your child as the two of you spend QT together. If you think this seems like you’re not paying attention to your child or you’re slacking when it comes to parenting—you aren’t. Instead, you’re creating a shared workspace where the two of you can get business done together.

2. Get Creative Sitting like a statue and calculating problem after problem on a math worksheet isn’t exciting, so consider turning a study session into an all-out artsy adventure! As your kid reads a chapter from the assigned text, use the opportunity as a chance to put on a play. If not acting, paint out math problems, sculpt letters or turn American history into a song.

Other ideas (perfect for older kiddos) include more sophisticated setups like creating a series of paintings explaining a text the child is trying to interpret or interpreting a poem using their musical notes. Kindergarten-aged kids set can get back to basics and finger paint letters, make clay characters from a story or bang on pots and pans to learn about patterns or counting.

RELATED:  11 Math Games That Equal Tons of Fun

dads making homework fun

4. Take It Outside If there’s an outdoor space where they can spread out and study in your home, encourage it. A study showed that workers saw a 45% increase in productivity after being outside for about 30 minutes. Plus, offering up 10-minute breaks in the sun is a huge perk.

4. Make It a Group Effort Start a study group. Have your kiddo invite classmates to read, write and do math equations together. If your student is old enough to handle organizing and delegating, take a step back and let your kid take on a leadership role. Younger kids may need more help—think of this as a mini-educational play date for them.

make homework fun with an awesome workstation

5. Design an Awesome Workspace Take a page from some of the coolest places on Earth to work. Google, Apple and other tech giants all have fab workspaces for their employees. Why? To increase productivity. Create a communal workstation that all your kids (or all your family) can share instead of sending your little learners off to their room alone. Mix it up with a tall desk (by using a shelf), so your child can stand and work, or swap out desk chairs for a yoga ball or a twisty stool.

RELATED:  17 At-Home Learning Spots to Keep Kids on Track

6. Engage the Senses There is a reason those darned pop-its were suddenly in every kid’s hands. While engaging their sense of touch, smell or sight might seem like a distraction, it helps them focus. Try doing a sensory activity like making your playdough . You can also engage other senses: Stash a stress ball in the homework area to engage the sense of touch or play white noise to break the quiet distracting to your child.

7. Hold Office Hours Your child needs some homework help. Instead of hovering (no helicopters here) or taking over and writing your very own book report, set up office hours—just like your college professors did. Make the living room couch or the dining room table into your “office.” The kids can schedule a time to ask questions or can come to your “open hours.” This lets you help your child without actually doing the work yourself

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7 Ways To Make Homework Fun For Back To School

Are you tired of the same old same old homework or heading back to school and need new ideas? Here are some creative homework ideas to put into the mix.

Whether you are heading back to school or have been back for a bit, perhaps you are tired of the same old same old homework. Hopefully, you’re coming back with some new energy. Why not infuse that into creative, new activities that you send home with students to consolidate skills? 

Here’s how to make homework fun!

Start with these free fun homework ideas

Free phonics worksheets & activities.

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Fun homework ideas for the whole year

One of the things that keeps homework from getting stale is to have a variety of activities and approaches. This does three things:

  • It keeps students from getting bored with a fill-in-the-blank worksheet every single day
  • It provides options for students to draw in different skills and learning styles
  • It allows you to practice the same skill in multiple ways. 

Here are some creative ideas to put into the mix. 

Homework bingo

At the beginning of the week give students a bingo card with different activities related to your focus on a particular subject. For example, a phonics bingo card might include activities like: make a list of at least 10 words with the long e sound, sort the list of words into groups based on how the long e sound is spelled, write sentences using 5 long e words, draw pictures of 5 of our long e words and label them, look around your house for long e words (books, labels, sign, clothing, etc.). Instruct students they need to do five activities this week. If a word list, a game, or other resource is useful for completing the activity, you can attach it to the bingo card. You can even use the same card for more than a week. Let students know if they can repeat any activities or have to do all new ones in week 2.

Cootie catchers

Do you remember these folded paper playground games? You might have called them fortune tellers or chatterboxes. Kids still love them, and they are a great way to practice phonics or math. Cootie catchers can be a two-person activity (students can practice with a friend or somebody in their home), but they can also be used individually. 

Are you tired of the same old same old homework or heading back to school and need new ideas? Here are some creative homework ideas to put into the mix.

Make a poster

Have students make a poster about a specific topic or something they learned. For example, students could make a poster illustrating with examples the different ways to spell the oo sound. Hang the posters in the classroom. 

Are you tired of the same old same old homework or heading back to school and need new ideas? Here are some creative homework ideas to put into the mix.

Math card games

Card games can be a fun way to practice math. I’ve used math card games to build math fluency, practice adding on, and come up with different ways to get to the same number, among other things. You can find some step-by-step math card games here. If students don’t have playing cards at home, you can print out number cards to work with. 

Are you tired of the same old same old homework or heading back to school and need new ideas? Here are some creative homework ideas to put into the mix.

Phonics card games

When it comes to card games, math might come to mind first because playing cards have numbers, but you can print word cards for any word list you are using for students to use for phonics card games. You can have students sort the word cards based on certain criteria. Or they can play classic games like Go Fish or Concentration. Some games, like Go Fish, only work with another player, but some like concentration or sorting games can work for individuals. 

Are you tired of the same old same old homework or heading back to school and need new ideas? Here are some creative homework ideas to put into the mix.

I use task cards in lots of ways. I put math task cards in my math station, use them as a morning warm-up, have them available for early finishers — and I use them for homework. Send a stack of them home at the beginning of the week and have students complete them all by the end of the week. 

Are you tired of the same old same old homework or heading back to school and need new ideas? Here are some creative homework ideas to put into the mix.

Mix it up worksheets

I mentioned at the beginning that creative activities saved students from the boredom of worksheets, so I wanted to be clear. I’m not anti-worksheet. Worksheets can make home practice easy on teachers, students, and parents. The key, I think, is to have a variety of options when it comes to worksheets, so students are not doing the same thing day after day. Maybe one worksheet has them fill in the blanks, but another has them unscramble words or match words to a picture or cut and sort. There are so many homework ideas in worksheets alone. 

Are you tired of the same old same old homework or heading back to school and need new ideas? Here are some creative homework ideas to put into the mix.

Need creative and easy homework ideas 

If you were trying to figure out how to make homework fun, I hope one of these homework ideas inspired you. And if you were inspired, but you’re not sure you have the time or energy to pull it off, I’ve got some good news. You don’t have to create it to have creative homework activities. 

Here are two DONE FOR YOU ways to freshen up your homework ideas: 

Phonics homework for the ENTIRE year

You get 100 weeks of engaging, skills-based phonics activities, ready to print and go. They cover blending, segmentation, phoneme manipulation, fluency, vocabulary, and punctuation and give students practice in CVC words, more complex words, digraphs, alternate spellings of many sounds, suffixes, and double consonants. In addition to a variety of skills, there’s a variety of activities too! Easy homework? Done: https://topnotchteaching.com/downloads/fun-phonics-homework/

Top Notch Teaching membership

Looking for ways to make homework fun beyond phonics? The Top Notch Teaching Membership has you covered with done-for-you lessons, activities, and projects you can use for literacy, math, science, PE, and more. No more getting lost down a Google rabbit hole. Instead, you have one place to go for done-for-you printables and digital products you know you can trust. Homework ideas, lesson plans, classroom management? Done: https://topnotchteaching.com/members/

Are you tired of the same old same old homework or heading back to school and need new ideas? Here are some creative homework ideas to put into the mix.

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Smart Homework: 13 Ways to Make It Meaningful

by MiddleWeb · Published 08/04/2014 · Updated 11/17/2019

In the first installment of Rick Wormeli’s homework advice, he made the case for take-home assignments that matter for learning and engage student interest . In Part 2, Rick offers some guiding principles that can help teachers create homework challenges that motivate kids and spark deeper learning in and out of school.

These articles are adapted and updated from Rick’s seminal book about teaching in the middle grades, Day One & Beyond: Practical Matters for New Middle Level Teachers . Rick continues to offer great advice about homework, differentiation, assessment and many other topics in workshops and presentations across North America. Check back in Part 1 for some additional homework resources.

RickWormeli-hdsht-130

I’ve been accumulating guiding principles for creating highly motivating homework assignments for many years — from my own teaching and from the distilled wisdom of others. Here are a baker’s dozen. Choose the ones most appropriate for students’ learning goals and your curriculum.

1. Give students a clear picture of the final product. This doesn’t mean everything is structured for them, or that there aren’t multiple pathways to the same high quality result. There’s room for student personalities to be expressed. Students clearly know what is expected, however. A clear picture sets purpose for doing the assignment. Priming the brain to focus on particular aspects of the learning experience helps the brain process the information for long-term retention. Setting purpose for homework assignments has an impact on learning and the assignment’s completion rate, as research by Marzano and others confirms.

2. Incorporate a cause into the assignment. Middle level students are motivated when they feel they are righting a wrong. They are very sensitive to justice and injustice. As a group, they are also very nurturing of those less fortunate than them. Find a community or personal cause for which students can fight fairly and incorporate your content and skills in that good fight— students will be all over the assignment.

perky-homework

4. Incorporate people whom students admire in their assignments. Students are motivated when asked to share what they know and feel about these folks. We are a society of heroes, and young adolescents are interested in talking about and becoming heroic figures.

5. Allow choices, as appropriate. Allow students to do the even-numbered or odd-numbered problems, or allow them to choose from three prompts, not just one. Let them choose the word that best describes the political or scientific process. Let them identify their own diet and its effects on young adolescent bodies. Let them choose to work with partners or individually. How about allowing them to choose from several multiple-intelligence based tasks? If they are working in ways that are comfortable, they are more likely to do the work. By making the choice, they have upped their ownership of the task.

6. Incorporate cultural products into the assignment. If students have to use magazines, television shows, foods, sports equipment, and other products they already use, they are likely to do the work. The brain loves to do tasks in contexts with which it is familiar.

7. Allow students to collaborate in determining how homework will be assessed. If they help design the criteria for success, such as when they create the rubric for an assignment, they “own” the assignment. It comes off as something done by them, not to them. They also internalize the expectations—another way for them to have clear targets.

With some assignments we can post well-done versions from previous years (or ones we’ve created for this purpose) and ask students to analyze the essential characteristics that make these assignments exemplary. Students who analyze such assignments will compare those works with their own and internalize the criteria for success, referencing the criteria while doing the assignment, not just when it’s finished.

make homework fun at home

9. Spruce up your prompts. Don’t ask students to repeatedly answer questions or summarize. Try some of these openers instead: Decide between, argue against, Why did ______ argue for, compare, contrast, plan, classify, retell ______ from the point of view of ______, Organize, build, interview, predict, categorize, simplify, deduce, formulate, blend, suppose, invent, imagine, devise, compose, combine, rank, recommend, defend, choose.

10. Have everyone turn in a paper. In her classic, Homework: A New Direction (1992), Neila Connors reminded teachers to have all students turn in a paper, regardless of whether they did the assignment. If a student doesn’t have his homework, he writes on the paper the name of the assignment and why he didn’t do it.

sleepy-homework-2

11. Do not give homework passes. I used to do this; then I realized how much it minimized the importance of homework. It’s like saying, “Oh, well, the homework really wasn’t that important to your learning. You’ll learn just as well without it.” Homework should be so productive for students that missing it is like missing the lesson itself.

12. Integrate homework with other subjects. One assignment can count in two classes. Such assignments are usually complex enough to warrant the dual grade and it’s a way to work smarter, not harder, for both students and teachers. Teachers can split the pile of papers to grade, then share the grades with each other, and students don’t have homework piling up in multiple classes.

There are times when every teacher on the team assigns a half-hour assignment, and so do the elective or encore class teachers. This could mean three to four hours of homework for the student, which is inappropriate for young adolescents.

13. Occasionally, let students identify what homework would be most effective. Sometimes the really creative assignments are the ones that students design themselves. After teaching a lesson, ask your students what it would take to practice the material so well it became clearly understood. Many of the choices will be rigorous and very appropriate.

happy-girl

This is one reason I always recommend that, as a basic premise, we avoid Monday morning quizzes and weekend or holiday homework assignments. Sure, there will be exceptions when long-term projects come due. But if we are really about teaching so that students learn and not about appearing rigorous and assigning tasks to show that we have taught, then we’ll carefully consider all the effects of our homework expectations. Our students will be more productive at school for having healthier lives at home.

▶ More resources from Rick Wormeli:

Although Rick never mentions the word homework in this article about helping adolescent students improve their “executive function,” you will immediately see the connections! At the AMLE website .

NEXT: In our final excerpt from Day One & Beyond, Rick Wormeli shares his approach to homework assessment – with an clear emphasis on maintaining teacher sanity.

Rick-at-AMLE

His books include Meet Me in the Middle ; Day One and Beyond ; Fair Isn’t Always Equal: Assessment and Grading in the Differentiated Classroom ; Differentiation: From Planning to Practice; Metaphors & Analogies: Power Tools for Teaching Any Subject, and Summarization in Any Subject , plus The Collected Writings (So Far) of Rick Wormeli: Crazy Good Stuff I Learned about Teaching Along the Way .

He is currently working on his first young adult fiction novel and a new book on homework practices in the 21 st century.

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MiddleWeb is all about the middle grades, with great 4-8 resources, book reviews, and guest posts by educators who support the success of young adolescents. And be sure to subscribe to MiddleWeb SmartBrief for the latest middle grades news & commentary from around the USA.

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This is a really great article. It has helped me tremendously in making new and better decisions about homework.

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Fabulous sage advice! Although I love every single suggestion you’ve included, I am particularly fond of the elimination of the “homework pass”. As a former middle-level teacher and administrator, I too found the homework pass diminished the importance of follow-up work – a necessary component in determining the level of student understanding.

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I do give 2 passes, but they just extend due date by a day. And if not used, they may be returned at the end of the 9 weeks for extra credit.

' src=

Rick Wormeli’s ideas and tips in this article continue to be stimulating and useful. That said, it’s been more than a decade since the first edition of his book on grading, homework and assessment, Fair Isn’t Always Equal appeared.

In the intervening years, Rick’s thinking about homework has benefited from his work with teachers and in schools and plenty of debate. In April 2018, he published a new 2nd edition of Fair Isn’t Always Equal that includes an even deeper discussion of homework and its relationship to best practice, differentiation, and the moral obligation of educators to insist on effective homework policies.

Visitors to the Stenhouse page for the new book can preview the *entire* text for free, so be sure to check that out.

Here’s a brief excerpt from the new book:

Tenet: Homework should enable students to practice what they have already learned in class and should not present new content for the first time. Principled Responses:

• I will not assign homework to students who do not understand the content. • I will give homework to some students and no homework or different assignments to others, depending on their proficiency. • I will use exit slips and formative assessment during class so I can determine proper after-school practice for each student. • I will not give homework because parents and administrators expect me to do so, or assign homework because it’s a particular day of the week. • I will assign homework only if it furthers students’ proficiency in the field we’re studying.

Thanks to Rick for giving us permission to share this!

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10 Helpful Ways to Make Homework Fun and Engaging

Sidrah Qayyum Education , Learning , Learning Skills , Life , Parent , Parenting 0

Homework… The word alone is enough to bring on a huge yawn. Your children come home after spending a long day at school and now you want them to sit down quietly and do their homework. What kind of torture is that?

After hours and hours of staring at the board, surrounded by books and quizzes, and listening to lectures, there is a possibility that kids will throw a small tantrum when you ask them to complete their assignments. Well, let’s fight off the scowls and tears, and turn the nightmarish homework time into a productive and fun-filled sessions. Here are a few tips that will make even math equations bearable!

Table of Contents

1. A Funky Timer

Monday blues are real, and after an adventurous weekend, it can be hard to settle back to your old routine. That’s why it is important to have a fixed schedule. Even on weekends, don’t go completely lax and try to set some time apart for school work. When your child comes home from school, allow them to play and rest after lunch. Once they are well-rested, it is time to begin the work. Most kids find it difficult to start their homework.

One way to avoid the troubled beginnings is to use a timer. A colorful and funky timer can do the trick. Place it on their desk, set the time and go! Children love having their own little things and a cutesy timer may motivate them to apply themselves and plug away. Most of the time, one uninterrupted hour is more than enough to finish the daily tasks. Reset if needed.

Search Timer on Amazon

2. Work Together

“How come you are watching television while here I am… slaving away? That so not fair, mom! (or dad!).” Yes, parents, your school days are long gone, and you are not obliged to spend hours hovering over a pile of books. But hey, such is life! Your child needs your attention and support. They definitely don’t want to feel left out of the fun. You must have some of your own little tasks to sort out. Take this quiet time to wrap up those. Sit next to your child and while they are working on their assignments, you can work on your chores. It can be an office presentation, monthly budgeting or even a novel you really want to finish… Err… this year. At the same time, you can attend to your little ones when they need your help with the homework.

3. Beneficial and Productive Rewards

Honestly speaking, I am not in a favor of offering rewards in return for completing homework, but they can be useful sometimes. I hated math as a kid. It was so painful for me to solve all the word problems and fractions. To get me down to work, my mom would tell me I could play Scrabble with her once I finish my mathematics homework. It worked! I loved Scrabble and loved playing it with my mom even more. My baby brother didn’t make a good competitor for obvious reasons.

When a child absolutely loathes a task and there is no way around it, you can bribe them with a board game, time for some crafty activity, a quick run or play outside, an educational field trip or something equally beneficial.

Don’t promise them video games, extra television hours, screen time or even sugary treats as it can adversely affect their concentration.

4. A Platter of Scrumptious Snacks

Come on, you know how it goes! When you are having a hard day at work, and suddenly a colleague appears with a large box of freshly baked brownies, things start to look up. You gobble down a couple of them, and the day doesn’t feel so bad all of a sudden. Similarly, you can brighten up things for you child with yummy treats in between the tasks. Keep it in balance though and offer them healthy and creative snacks such as cupcakes, homemade cookies, smoothies, fruit salads, pretzels, and chips with delicious dips.

If your child usually does their homework in evening, it is likely they will feel slightly hungry. Having healthy snacks can give them a much-needed boost of energy and may even help them look forward to homework sessions. Be sure to give them snacks in a limited amount. You don’t want them to skip their dinner because they are feeling too full!

5. Let the Creative Juices Flow

Don’t know how to make your child understand the laws of Newton? Get creative! For instance, drawing and labelling can solve many issues. During Botany lectures, I couldn’t understand a thing about different parts of plants. But when I saw the drawings, it was far easier to comprehend apical and axillary buds. For many children, sitting still like a statue and pouring over the books just won’t cut it. They need to reinvent and improvise. Together you can act out a part from the play they are currently studying in class, or they can create a presentation to understand the complicated rules of Organic Chemistry.

For preschoolers, finger-painting the letters and numbers, singing out the poems, and educational toys can help them engage their senses and grasp the concepts. For fidgety children who can’t stay still, exercise balls, fidget toys and bands can help them focus.

6. Their Own Little Nook

Homework can be extremely fun when a child has their own productive space dedicated to their books and their studies. You can set up a study table or a small desk and place a compact bookshelf alongside it. Add some unique pencil holders, a study lamp, and a globe. Make sure the chair is comfortable but not too much or it might put them to sleep. Help them arrange their books neatly on the book rack. Don’t place any gadgets and screens nearby to avoid unnecessary distractions.

Having a special spot for homework can help encourage a child to be productive and creative. Encourage them to use the space for quiet time and reading on a rainy day too. Teach them how to keep their own space neat and tidy and somewhere they can be proud of.

7. A Dose of Colors

Colors instantly brighten up a dull day! In their study corner, hang a colorful board on the wall and put up their weekly timetables along with motivational quotes and pictures of their favorite characters. Visuals, especially when they are delightfully appealing, can give your child motivation to work.

Use a colourful planner where they can list all the things they have to do, they will know what tasks they have to finish and how much is left. Once they are done, they will enjoy crossing completed tasks off the list.

Similarly, colorful stationery and crisp notebooks can do wonders. Take a trip to a stationery shop, or have a look online and allow them to choose some cool-looking school kits especially for use at home.

8. Short Breaks are Essential

Kids are energetic little munchkins and expecting them to sit still for hours is highly unreasonable. When homework sessions are longer than usual, or exams are near, let them study efficiently by allowing them short breaks in between. They can use this time to wander around the house to stretch their muscles and have some snacks and drink, perhaps even read a couple of pages from a favourite story book. Don’t let them use smartphones or devices during these breaks or they might feel demotivated to return to books.

An ideal break would be about 5 minutes long after every 20 minutes or so. Research has shown that 20 minutes is really the optimum amount of time that the brain can function at it’s peak. Anything more than that, and things typically start to become stagnant – think staring at same page and reading the same thing over and over again.

Of course, if something is particularly engrossing for your child, whether it’s a new art piece or they’ve finally cracked those Algebra problems, don’t stop them mid-way.

9. Come Back to it Later

There are times when it feels as if you are talking to a wall. You’ve tried to explain a concept hundreds of times, in a million different ways – You talked them through it, you’ve given brilliant examples, and you’ve even drawn a superb illustration to simplify the concept. Yet sadly, they just aren’t able to grasp it.

When times like that occur, and they undoubtedly will (and you wonder exactly what is going on in school), remind yourself to take a step back and come back to it later.For some reason, my brother took a long time to spell ‘exercise’ correctly. It was frustrating for my mom but she eventually managed to help him memorise with a silly song.

Some concepts, like ‘telling the time’ or ‘fractions’ even learning the alphabet and reading are things that require a certain maturity of thought and some kids will learn certain things faster while others will just take a while to piece certain things together.

Some days are just hard on both parents and kids. Don’t push too hard, especially if they are already trying their best but just aren’t able to perceive it. Often it helps to come back to it, after a break, with a fresh mind.

10. Step Back – Help Them See the Bigger Picture

Sometimes your kids are happily doing their homework when they stumble upon something that requires some revision. For instance, in math, to understand new knowledge and concepts, all the prior principles must be clear. It is like a puzzle. To appreciate it, all the pieces must be in place.  Moreover, children need to learn mathematics with understanding. It is not something that they can just memorise.

Haven’t we all wondered, ‘When will I ever need to use Algebra in my life?’ or ‘Why should I need to know how to calculate molar ratios?’ To make it fun and engaging, help them incorporate their learning in to everyday life. This helps your kids see how their learning can be useful in everyday life such as, angles in cutting up a pizza, how to calculate percentage discounts during a sale, monthly budgeting and totalling up grocery bills.

While academic learning may not always seem relevant to life, sometimes, it is useful to be able to call upon knowledge and principles that we already know.

Gear up, parents! You know you can do it. Just keep your cool and don’t lose patience. Your child’s school going days may seem never-ending now and homework sessions are painful, but they will be gone in a blink of an eye. Before you know it, they will be off to college waving you goodbye.

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No Guilt Mom

3 Simple Ways to Make Homework Fun

make homework fun at home

I’m going to be blunt.

Right now, your child’s homework time just plain sucks.

You dread it every night.  “Hey, have you done your math homework yet?

“NO!  I can’t do my homework.  I don’t want to do it yet.  Can’t I watch TV? I’ll do it after dinner.”

So much back and forth and back and forth. It’s become too much.

The question is, how do you make your child want to do homework?  How do you make homework less boring?

Read: What to do when your child cries over homework

Let’s define fun.  

If you’ve ever spent time outdoors, you might know about the fun scale .

The fun scale described three sorts of fun.

Type 1 fun is what you typically think of as fun.  It’s easy with very little challenge. Relaxing, new, and novel with maybe a bit of adrenaline.

Then there is Type 2 which is not fun… in the moment.  Shivering in 30-degree weather when you’re trying to sleep in your tent or wading through a cold river with the water up to your waist. 

These experiences aren’t fun at the time, right?  But when you look back you have a sort of fondness for them because you endured something or surmounted a challenge.

Ironically, Type 3 fun isn’t fun at all.  It’s pure suffering. Think about that movie with James Franco rock climbing when he lost his hand. 

 There are really two types. One, you can have fun with the unexpected.  Something new and novel is always fun.

For homework, type 1 is out because there is a challenge.  It’s hard. But type 3 is also out because we don’t want it to be miserable.

When people approach just the right amount of challenge and have the skills and help to achieve it, that challenge can be fun.

We can make homework solid type 2 fun.

That’s the kind of fun we want to attain with homework.  Here’s what to keep in mind:

Read: How to Build Grit in Kids: When to Push and When to Comfort

1. Make homework fun by putting it entirely in the child’s control

You know that fight that happens every night about WHEN to do homework?  

If you’re fighting all the time, you’re assuming responsibility over your kids’ work.

They feel no inner drive to get it done because they know you’ll remind them.

Instead, switch that responsibility to them.

When my daughter struggled with her homework in Kindergarten, we sat down and brainstormed everything she had to do after school.

She wrote down: unpack backpack, have a snack, feed the cat, do homework. 

Ok.. I had to coax her on that “do homework” task.

Then, I asked her to write down the order she wanted to do the tasks we agreed on.  

The first day she came home from school, I didn’t have to nag.  She followed the list.

Days after that, I didn’t have to nag, I simply pointed at the list and she started.

The time of the task was in her control.  

But she still had trouble with one more thing.

2. Teach your child how to cope with overwhelm to make homework easier

You know the feeling: when you have this massive to-do list in front of you and you don’t know where to start.

Everything feels equally important.

You do what you can not to hyperventilate and drown your sorrows with the nearest box of girl scout cookies.

That’s NOT Fun.

Your child is dealing with the same.  

What is fun is if we turn that overwhelm into a game.

Take out a timer and ask your child how long he or she thinks he can stay working on homework without getting distracted.

I would start low, say 2 minutes. 

Give your child the timer – remember the control – and ask them to press start and then work for that time.

You’ll see a renewed determination in your kid to stay focused and finish as much as they can.

When the timer goes off, point out how much they did!  Did they ever think they could do that much in two minutes?  What do you want to set the timer for next?

They’ll tell you.  

3. Teach kids how to reward themselves

Rewards are best when they’re unexpected.

But it’s even better to teach kids how to reward themselves so that they’ill always have a trick to self-motivate.

Rewards can be super simple – a pack of fruit snacks with one gummy for every timer completion.

A sticker they can put on their notebook.

Twenty minutes of screen time. 

Simple stuff they can give to themselves.  Ways they can connect the task with that feel-good reward.

The best part is that they eventually won’t need to reward themselves for doing homework.  Only when they’re building the habit.

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The trick to make homework fun

These three skills of controlling their own schedule, making homework time a game and knowing how to reward themselves puts kids ways ahead when it comes to making homework fun.  

make homework fun at home

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While researching my book Drama Free Homework: A Parent’s Guide To Eliminating Homework Battles and Raising Focused Kids, I talked with lots of moms who were doing EVERYTHING – but since their child was still struggling, they considered themselves failures.

As they described the struggle at home, I noticed that four distinct “homework personalities” kept reappearing.

Do you recognize any of them in your house?

3 Things to Do When Your Kid Cries over Homework

“Noooo… I can’t do it. I don’t have the time!!”

Have you heard this from your child when she sits down to do homework? My gosh, it wrecks me.

I can feel her overwhelm and so relate to it.

I know what it feels like to have so much to do and what seems like no time to do it.

So, I jump in and try to help.

“It’s ok sweetie, let’s write down all the things you have to do to get it out of your head.”

“NO!” she pouts back, “That won’t help. I don’t know any of this and I have to get started now.”

What do you do with that? You see the problem, you know the steps to take to fix it and yet your child pushes you away like you couldn’t possibly know what she’s talking about or what she’s dealing with.

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“Your son is very bright, well-behaved, an absolutely pleasure in class. However, he doesn’t seem to get his homework done. And our first test of the year didn’t go very well for him.”

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But the mental overwhelm caught me by surprise.

When you have no clue how to help your child with their math homework

Tell me if this sounds familiar.

Your child brings home a page of a page of double-digit subtraction problems.

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You got this, you think…

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make homework fun at home

Parenting And Family

10 Ways to Make Homework Fun

  • By Rachel Pinn Updated On March 23, 2020

homework

As adults, we often think of homework as a bad thing; tasks we are required to do after school that take precious free time away from our home life. But for kids, that's not the case! Starting in pre-K, kids are taught that homework can be fun, and it seems like the processes that adults find daunting are seen as play for little kids. So how do we capture that interest, spark and joy that our littlest students come home with, and keep it for as long as possible into our children's elementary and even teen years? Let's make homework fun again!

Designate a homework workspace for each student. This can be an area at the kitchen table, a spot in your home office or their own lap desk. It's not always possible to have a dedicated space for work 24/7, so it's perfectly fine to have a desk caddy with the tools your student needs ready to go when homework time comes.

Calming jazz, symphonies or upbeat rhythms can do a lot for productivity. Lyrics can often get in the way of certain types of homework, so it's best to consider the type of work before selecting. Spotify and Pandora have a lot of free options for listening while working.

As kids get older, homework can become more and more intense. Make sure to build in check-ins and breaks to make sure they're giving their eyes and brains a rest. Perhaps a snack, drink or short dance party is just the thing to refresh them for the rest of their work. 

Color and light are important to a workspace. If your child's favorite color is green, snag some green contact paper or construction paper and put it on their workspace. Make sure the space is well-lit as well, because squinting is no good for homework effectiveness.

Colorful pens, paper, pencils and other tools make doing homework more fun. These can even be a reward themselves, as getting to head to the dollar store or shop online for desk accessories can be just as fun as using them.

When you're working with your student, give them your full attention. Put away your work, your cell phone and other distractions while you help them prepare for some dedicated homework time. If you have to make dinner or get back to work, make sure to at least bookend the time with a few minutes before and after the homework period, which shows you're invested in their success.

Communication

Homework often requires a bit of communication with your child's teacher in order to squeeze the full learning out of it. There may be parts of a lesson that your child doesn't understand, in which case it's a good idea to make sure you communicate with teachers so you can assist where needed.

It can be hard to teach kids to filter out distractions and get to work, but sometimes a reward can help get them there. Maybe it's dinner at a restaurant they've been wanting to visit, "points" toward a new toy or even something as simple as an extra book at bedtime. Find what motivates your student, and let that motivate them toward homework success!

The best way to learn is to teach, so once your student completes their task, have him or her explain it to you. Let them tell you how he or she thought about the problem, how they came up with the solution and how they got there. That act of explaining will cement those learnings in their mind.

The key here is that if tasks ever become too challenging for your student, stay positive. Don't bring up thoughts of your own childhood; rather, move on to something else and come back to that challenge later. Remind them that everyone has different strengths and weaknesses when it comes to learning. and if everything was easy for us, it wouldn't be fun at all.

READ THIS NEXT: 11 Painfully Hilarious Homework Tweets from Parents

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Making learning fun

How to Make Homework Fun for Kids

Blog , Mathematics

Homework is one of those things that you will either agree with or disagree. Agree, because you know it’s a way to help children to reinforce skills or it’s a good way to prepare them for content they will be covering or maybe you are using it for enrichment and extension. Disagree, because you are always chasing up kids who didn’t do their homework or struggling to find time to mark homework or even set homework, particularly if you are creating a worksheet for it.

We can’t dispute the fact that research shows that homework has little impact on academic success in elementary grades. There is, however, the suggestion that homework has benefits in other areas. It can teach self-responsibility.  The child needs to find time to sit down and complete their homework and then remember to pack it and hand it in. Parents can also benefit from their child’s homework. It can help them learn about and become more involved in their child’s education.

Homework, however, can be very stressful for both parents and children. After a long day at school, today’s children not only have to come home to homework but need to participate in so many extracurricular activities. It’s exhausting being a kid!

Homework Games

If you need to assign homework you can make it more interesting and less stressful for both parents and children by using homework math games. After all, games are fun!

Make homework for your year 1 or second grade kiddos fun by sending home math strategy games. These math games are perfect for mental math practice. Such an easy way for students to learn math strategies for addition and subtraction and have fun doing it! #homeworkideas #additiongames #mathgames #additionstrategy #mentalmathstrategies #subtractiongames

Consolidate Basic Number Facts

I designed these games because I wanted to help my students consolidate the basic number facts – addition and subtraction. I didn’t want to be giving them worksheets but rather I wanted them to have some fun as they were really consolidating those addition and subtraction facts. Each game is designed to consolidate a single thinking strategy so if you have been focusing on teaching doubles plus one facts at school you can send home the doubles plus one game. It makes it so easy to reinforce these basic facts.

Accountability

The left-hand side of the game has the thinking strategy to prompt the child as well as the answers to each number fact. Before the child starts the game this side of the game is folded over. When the child lands on a number fact they must write it down and answer it – now you have your accountability. If they don’t know the answer they can open up the side and ‘sneak a peek’ before closing it again. My parents love them because it gives them the math language that we use in class and the strategy needed to help their child work out the answer. My kids love them because it’s a game.

There is no die needed for the game just a coin. Why a coin you may ask.  Well if you flip it and it lands on heads you move two spaces, tails you move five. Any small object can be used as a marker.

I have also included a game with mixed facts. It has a recording sheet that asks the student to not only record the equation but to say what thinking strategy they used. This really helps them gain mastery of the addition and subtraction facts.

I hadn’t considered it but one of my customers said that she also uses the games in her math journals. They’re also great for using in math rotations. I also like to print them out and give them to students that I tutor – the ones that need more time consolidating the basic facts and could do it easily with their parents. And don’t forget those kids that you know are going to forget the number facts over a break.

The Summer Slump

The summer slump is real! Kids forget so much of what they learned the year before.

One way to help reduce this ‘learning loss’ is to send home a summer pack containing games of all the strategies you’ve covered during the year. If you’ve got some kids who are already showing great fact fluency just send home the game with a mixture of strategies. Include both addition and subtraction for extra practice.

The addition strategies covered are :

  • Counting on 1
  • Counting on 1 and 2
  • Counting on 1, 2 and 3
  • Doubles + 1
  • Doubles + 2
  • PLUS a game that includes a mixture of strategies.

The subtraction games focus on :

  • Counting back 1
  • Counting back 1 or 2
  • Counting back 1, 2 or 3
  • Take from 10
  • Doubles Takeaway
  • Build on Doubles
  • Subtracting 9
  • Subtracting 10

You can also grab a pack of multiplication games. They cover each fact from multiplying by zero and one to multiplying by twelve. The pack also includes two mixed multiplication games.

Grab a Pack of Games

Pick up your set of homework games in the website store or the Teachers Pay Teachers shop. Just click on a pack below.

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Absolutely love this! How much more fun than addition and subtraction worksheets!

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13 Fun Homework Ideas: The Best Ways To Make Homework Fun For Kids Quickly & Easily

Ellie Williams

Figuring out how to make homework fun can be a tricky task for parents.

Does it feel like you’re constantly nagging your kids to do their homework? If your answer is yes then worry not as we’ve all been there! It’s natural for parents to want their children to progress and do well in school, but after an entire day of paper, pencils, and books many youngsters will resist getting on with their homework – and that’s putting it mildly!

Top Tips To Make Homework Fun:

  • Work together
  • Use rewards and incentives
  • Sort them a snack
  • Make it visual
  • Try different learning apps
  • Set up a homework play date
  • Turn it into a game
  • Let them play teacher
  • Use a timer
  • Create a special homework space
  • Remember to be positive
  • Get help if you need i t

Thankfully, there are ways of making homework less boring and that little bit more fun for your child. Whether they need to practice spellings, learn their times tables or revise for an important exam, our top fun homework ideas will help you to magically take the ‘work’ out of homework.

13 Fun Homework Ideas: The Best Ways To Make Homework Fun For Kids Quickly & Easily

KS2 Maths Games and Activities Pack

A FREE downloadable games and activity pack, including 20 home learning maths activities for KS2 children. Bring maths into your home in a fun way.

1. Work together

Fun Homework Ideas

Adults often work best in the company of others, and the same can be said of kids, so why not sit with your child while they’re studying and get on with some of your own work or life admin?

Whether you’re returning emails, doing your online banking or organising the next primary school PTA fundraiser, creating a shared workspace and modelling focused work is a great way to spend quality time together while they complete their homework. Win-win!

Quick win : Whilst your child is tackling their fractions homework, you could sit down with them and take a look through your finances or even test yourself on the work that your child will be doing in their SATs .

2. Use rewards and incentives

Rewards and incentives are great when it comes to getting your children to follow your household rules and routines, and homework is no different. Things like stickers or the promise of time on their iPad or games console for slightly older children can all work wonders in getting them to do their homework without a battle.

Quick win: For every few questions they answer they could get a minute of screen time!

3. Sort them a snack

Fun Homework ideas

Let’s face it: A hungry child is an unfocused, unmotivated and unhappy child.

Most children come out of school ravenous, so let them nibble on a nutritious after-school snack while they get on with homework; things like popcorn, apple slices, grapes, flapjacks, or crackers and cheese are all great snack options.

If you’re feeling a bit more adventurous, Netmums has a list of healthy after-school snack ideas and recipes to try.

Quick win: One of the best brain foods for kids is a nice and crispy apple! So when your child is craving something sweet just cut up an apple and let them munch away.

4. Make it visual

Help to eliminate the late night ‘Oh, I forgot to do that’, and create a weekly homework chart so your child can see what they have to do each day and check off each homework ‘To Do’ as it’s been completed.

Again, Pinterest has some great free printables to help keep kids organised. Get them involved by letting them colour it, or decorate it with their favourite stickers, and pin it up somewhere at their height, where they will see it easily every day as a reminder. Some exciting new stationery and colourful pens might help too.

Quick win: An easy way to make homework fun is to grab a piece of paper and get your child to draw out and decorate a ‘homework chart’ consisting of 5 days. Stick it on the fridge and add a sticker to each day after they’ve done their homework, when they’ve collected 5 stickers they get a treat!

5. Try different learning apps

Make Homework Fun

If your child prefers to be online, there are some great online apps around that children will have fun using, yet encourage learning too. Here are our favourite free maths websites for example. Speak to your child’s teacher too and see which apps the children use in school so you can support what they’re doing at home.

Quick win: One of our favourite apps that makes homework fun is Times Tables Rockstars!

6. Set up a homework play date

Holding a homework playdate where your child can invite one of their best school buddies over to do homework together can be a great way for them to learn and make sure the work gets done, especially slightly older primary children.

Plus, it’s likely that their parents will be delighted!

Younger children may need a bit more support and guidance but can still gain a lot from the experience of learning together with a friend – think of this as a mini-educational play date for them – with a special tea afterwards of course!

Quick win: Let your child and their friend play for a while, and then get them to work through their homework with the incentive of a yummy ‘tea party’ when they’ve completed all of their homework.

7. Go outside

Fun Homework Ideas

If the weather allows, create a comfortable outside study space and allow your child to do their homework outdoors.

The fresh air can help kids with their concentration if they’ve been stuck in a classroom all day, and studies also show that being outside, closer to nature, can increase productivity. The reward of a quick game of Frisbee or a kick-around of a football between tasks will help them stay motivated too.

Quick win: Check out this fun outdoor maths activity for some inspiration of ways you can make homework fun. 

8. Turn it into a game

Who said home learning had to be boring? If children enjoy what they’re learning, they’re more likely to remember what they’re being taught, so turn their learning into a fun game. Using sweets like Smarties to help with maths and number work can turn the experience from a chore into a treat. If they get the right answer, they get to eat some!

Another trick that you can use when your child is learning spellings is to write them in foam or in magnetic letters. It sounds simple, but  we can guarantee that it will make homework a lot more fun for your child.

These maths games for kids and times tables games are a great place to start.

Quick win: If you’re looking for some fun homework ideas then check out this simple multiplication activity you can do at home, it’ll even get in one of your child’s five a day!

9. Let them play teacher

Make another fun homework game by creating your own mini-classroom and letting your child step into the role of teacher.

Have your child explain a concept to you as a teacher, as you, or their sibling, plays the role of the student. This game works particularly well with subjects that require theory, like Science for example, as it will improve their understanding of the concept and build logic and reasoning skills.

Quick win: Make homework fun by getting your child to choose their favourite teddys and toys and setting them up in their own mini classroom. Start off with registration, ‘mummy’ ‘present’, ‘mr teddy’ ‘here’ etc. You’ll soon notice that your child is growing in confidence regardless of the topic as children love playing teacher!

Ideas to make homework fun

10. Use a timer

Some children may have difficulty working for prolonged periods of time without a break, so using a timer can be great for getting them to complete homework without the whining. For example, if your child is given 20 maths problems for homework, you can say “Complete the first 10 questions then we’ll take a 5-minute break, then complete the next 10 questions”.

Many children will need a mental break and will work more effectively when given the opportunity to take one. At the end of the task, they get to pick an activity of their choice. If your child gets easily distracted, a timer game can work well to keep them focused on the task in hand.

Quick win: Put the timer on your phone so that your child can see the countdown whilst they’re working.

11. Create a special homework space

A special study space can make homework more fun and help motivate your child to get it done! Choose a space in your house that’s least likely to distract your child, and create a simple, organised, and kid-friendly homework HQ.

You could hang up some of their artwork above the desk, and have all their school essentials nearby so everything is close to hand.

Quick win: Make sure that they aren’t surrounded by things that will distract them. Televisions and iPads are a no go at homework time!

12. Remember to be positive

Remember to always be upbeat and positive about school and the importance of their homework. Give your child lots of praise and encouragement about how well they’re doing to help them stay motivated and on track.

Quick win: After every homework session spend five minutes talking through what your child has accomplished. If you’re running out of activities to do, have a look at our list of home learning packs – all free to download.

13. Get help if you need it

Homework can be frustrating if your child doesn’t understand the material or gets bored easily. If your child is struggling, get them some expert help!

A Third Space Learning online tutoring lesson exploring the value of digits in numbers up to 10,000,000.

Quick win:  Third Space Learning has plenty of advice on learning maths for kids and parents but if you need more support, our primary school maths tutors are easy to organise and very affordable.

DO YOU HAVE STUDENTS WHO NEED MORE SUPPORT IN MATHS?

Every week Third Space Learning’s maths specialist tutors support thousands of students across hundreds of schools with weekly one to one tuition designed to plug gaps and boost progress.

Since 2013 these personalised one to one lessons have helped over 150,000 primary and secondary students become more confident, able mathematicians.

Learn how pupils make accelerated progress or request a personalised quote for your school to speak to us about your school’s needs and how we can help.

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10 easy Ways How to Make Homework Fun

Homework is essential for students to learn new skills, practice old ones, and develop good study habits. It also helps teachers assess student progress and provide feedback on areas that need improvement.

So, what can a teacher do? Is it not possible to eliminate homework completely ?

Table of Contents

1. Set up a Homework Game Board

To make homework more enjoyable, try setting up a board with different activities kids can do at home. You can use a whiteboard, poster board, or even cardboard boxes. Just make sure that the items on the board are age appropriate.

2. Create a Homework Journal

A homework journal is a great way to keep track of assignments and help kids stay organized. It’s also a good idea to set aside some time to review homework before bedtime. This will help kids feel less stressed when they wake up.

3. Write a Homework Routine

If you’re looking for ways to make homework more enjoyable for your child, try writing a homework routine. You can use a notebook or a simple spreadsheet to record the steps in completing the task. Then, every night, write down what needs to happen next.

4. Play a Homework Game

Once you’ve written out your homework routine, play a game with your child. Ask them questions about what’s happening at home. What do they think will happen when they finish their homework? What do they believe will be the most challenging part? What do they think should happen first?

5. Reward your kid with a Homework Prize

You might not realize it, but kids love prizes. They’re excited to win something just because they did well on a test or finished a project. So why not reward your child and yourself too? If you’re having trouble coming up with ideas, try asking your children what they’d like as a prize.

6. Get a Homework Buddy

learning in a group makes the experience more joyful and fulfilling.

7. Be positive

Your attitude dramatically influences how your child views the world, especially during the middle school years of transition. 

Instead, it would help if you thought of homework help as an enjoyable and productive activity where you can learn and have fun together.

8. Work beside your student

Being in the classroom while the entire family is having fun can make it difficult for children. Instead of leaving your child to do her work independently, be a part of them to complete some work independently. 

Spend time together with them and be there to answer any concerns she may ask.

9. Study with a partner

Let’s discuss working in the business. This could be your family members, or you could be helping your child cope with his work. 

This will inspire your child to put in the effort and emulate your actions. A shared workspace is an excellent way to test different scenarios, much like the office of our company.

10. Try your favorite snack or drink

You’re not productive If you’re hungry. You just have to take care of it. A child who is hungry is more susceptible to distractions than adults. 

This approach will work in most cases but pay attention that this should not be counterproductive as the child will be busy eating and not studying.

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How to Make Homework Fun for Kids: 5 Easy Ways for Parents

“Do your homework!”  Whining, procrastinating, and full-on tantrums may ensue, but it doesn’t have to be like that.  With the right attitude and a motivator or two, you can make doing homework fun for your kids.

Make Homework Fun!

Sometimes the thought of your child having to do homework after being in school all day is frustrating.  However, to help make the task more pleasant for your kids and yourself, here are 5 ways to make homework fun!

1.  Magical Motivators

Use incentives to get your children to do their homework without a fight.  Small snacks, stickers, iPad time, or toys work well for younger children.  Older children might be motivated more by privileges like TV and Computer time or larger rewards like money. Whatever you use, remember your ultimate goal is to help develop good habits for the future.

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2.  Write it for Them

No, that doesn’t mean doing it for them.  It might seem counter-intuitive, but if you mix up the routine, and have your child dictate the answers to you, they will be a lot more interested in the actual subject material.  This also gives you a special opportunity to bond with your child.  Not all homework can be done this way, but try to be creative and change up your child’s homework routine.

3.  Learning Apps

Homework can be frustrating if your child doesn’t understand the material. Fun math practice  apps can be a great resource for visual examples and games that help your child practice concepts he is struggling with.  So, make homework fun by getting an app that makes the subject easy for your child.

4.  Get a Homework Buddy

Turn homework into a play date.  Have your child invite a friend over and encourage them to do their homework together.  Make sure you lay down a few rules ahead of time.  Then you can reward the children with free time and a snack after they complete their work.  How fun is that?

5.  Don’t Take it Too Serious

There are more important things in life than homework and grades.  Too much emphasis on grades can destroy your child’s love of learning and devalue relationships.  Think about what values you want to instill in your child and make sure the homework is not getting in the way.  If you believe your child’s teacher is giving out too much homework after you see your child demonstrate an understanding of the subject, don’t be afraid to voice your concern.  Even if nothing changes, it will show your children that you care and empathize with them.  That can go a long way!

make homework fun at home

How do you make homework more fun for your kids? Let us know your ways at [email protected]

Thanks for reading!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How can i make homework fun.

  • Use incentives
  • Use game-based learning
  • Try different routines
  • Try getting your kids a homework buddy
  • Have fun with them

How to make school work more interesting?

  • Do tough tasks first
  • Use games to teach tough concepts
  • Try to add a creative touch in every concept
  • Get a school work buddy

How do you make homework meaningful and fun?

  • Incorporate cause behind assignments
  • Give students real-life application of concepts
  • Include culture in homework
  • Ask students to include new aspects in every assignment they do in order to encourage creativity.
  • Make way for team work and collaboration

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5 Ways to Make Homework More Meaningful

Use these insights from educators—and research—to create homework practices that work for everyone.

Homework tends to be a polarizing topic. While many teachers advocate for its complete elimination, others argue that it provides students with the extra practice they need to solidify their learning and teach them work habits—like managing time and meeting deadlines—that have lifelong benefits. 

We recently reached out to teachers in our audience to identify practices that can help educators plot a middle path. 

On Facebook , elementary school teacher John Thomas responded that the best homework is often no-strings-attached encouragement to read or play academically adjacent games with family members. “I encourage reading every night,” Thomas said, but he doesn’t use logs or other means of getting students to track their completion. “Just encouragement and book bags with self selected books students take home for enjoyment.” 

Thomas said he also suggests to parents and students that they can play around with “math and science tools” such as “calculators, tape measures, protractors, rulers, money, tangrams, and building blocks.” Math-based games like Yahtzee or dominoes can also serve as enriching—and fun—practice of skills they’re learning.

At the middle and high school level, homework generally increases, and that can be demotivating for teachers, who feel obliged to review or even grade halfhearted submissions. Student morale is at stake, too: “Most [students] don’t complete it anyway,” said high school teacher Krystn Stretzinger Charlie on Facebook . “It ends up hurting them more than it helps.”    

So how do teachers decide when to—and when not to—assign homework, and how do they ensure that the homework they assign feels meaningful, productive, and even motivating to students? 

1. Less is More

A 2017 study analyzed the homework assignments of more than 20,000 middle and high school students and found that teachers are often a bad judge of how long homework will take. 

According to researchers, students spend as much as 85 minutes or as little as 30 minutes on homework that teachers imagined would take students one hour to complete. The researchers concluded that by assigning too much homework , teachers actually increased inequalities between students in exchange for “minimal gains in achievement.” Too much homework can overwhelm students who “have more gaps in their knowledge,” the researchers said, and creates situations where homework becomes so time-consuming and frustrating that it turns students off to classwork more broadly.

To counteract this, middle school math teacher Crystal Frommert said she focuses on quality over quantity. Frommert cited the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics , which recommends only assigning “what’s necessary to augment instruction” and adds that if teachers can “get sufficient information by assigning only five problems, then don’t assign fifty.” 

Instead of sending students home with worksheets and long problem sets from textbooks that often repeat the same concepts, Frommert recommended assigning part of a page, or even a few specific problems—and explaining to students why these handpicked problems will be helpful practice. When students know there’s thought behind the problems they’re asked to solve at home, “they pay more attention to the condensed assignment because it was tailored for them,” Frommert said. 

On Instagram , high school teacher Jacob Palmer said that every now and then he condenses homework down to just one problem that is particularly engaging and challenging: “The depth and exploration that can come from one single problem can be richer than 20 routine problems.” 

2. Add Choice to the Equation 

Former educator and coach Mike Anderson said teachers can differentiate homework assignments without placing unrealistic demands on their workload by offering students some discretion in the work they complete and explicitly teaching them “how to choose appropriately challenging work for themselves.” 

Instead of assigning the same 20 problems or response questions on a given textbook page to all students, for example, Anderson suggested asking students to refer to the list of questions and choose and complete a designated number of them (three to five, for example) that give students “a little bit of a challenge but that [they] can still solve independently.” 

To teach students how to choose well, Anderson has students practice choosing homework questions in class before the end of the day, brainstorming in groups and sharing their thoughts about what a good homework question should accomplish. The other part, of course, involves offering students good choices: “Make sure that options for homework focus on the skills being practiced and are open-ended enough for all students to be successful,” he said. 

Once students have developed a better understanding of the purpose of challenging themselves to practice and grow as learners, Anderson also periodically asks them to come up with their own ideas for problems or other activities they can use to reinforce learning at home. A simple question, such as “What are some ideas for how you might practice this skill at home?” can be enough to get students sharing ideas, he said. 

Jill Kibler, a former high school science teacher, told Edutopia on Facebook that she implemented homework choice in her classroom by allowing students to decide how much of the work they’ve recently turned in that they’d like to redo as homework: “Students had one grading cycle (about seven school days) to redo the work they wanted to improve,” she said. 

3. Break the Mold 

According to high school English teacher Kate Dusto, the work that students produce at home doesn’t have to come in the traditional formats of written responses to a problem. On Instagram , Dusto told Edutopia that homework can often be made more interesting—and engaging—by allowing students to show evidence of their learning in creative ways. 

“Offer choices for how they show their learning,” Dusto said. “Record audio or video? Type or use speech to text? Draw or handwrite and then upload a picture?” The possibilities are endless. 

Former educator and author Jay McTighe noted that visual representations such as graphic organizers and concept maps are particularly useful for students attempting to organize new information and solidify their understanding of abstract concepts. For example, students might be asked to “draw a visual web of factors affecting plant growth” in biology class or map out the plot, characters, themes, and settings of a novel or play they’re reading to visualize relationships between different elements of the story and deepen their comprehension of it. 

Simple written responses to summarize new learning can also be made more interesting by varying the format, McTighe said. For example, ask students to compose a tweet in 280 characters or less to answer a question like “What is the big idea that you have learned about _____?” or even record a short audio podcast or video podcast explaining “key concepts from one or more lessons.”

4. Make Homework Voluntary 

When elementary school teacher Jacqueline Worthley Fiorentino stopped assigning mandatory homework to her second-grade students and suggested voluntary activities instead, she found that something surprising happened: “They started doing more work at home.” 

Some of the simple, voluntary activities she presented students with included encouraging at-home reading (without mandating how much time they should spend reading); sending home weekly spelling words and math facts that will be covered in class but that should also be mastered by the end of the week: “It will be up to each child to figure out the best way to learn to spell the words correctly or to master the math facts,” she said; and creating voluntary lesson extensions such as pointing students to outside resources—texts, videos or films, webpages, or even online or in-person exhibits—to “expand their knowledge on a topic covered in class.”

Anderson said that for older students, teachers can sometimes make whatever homework they assign a voluntary choice. “Do all students need to practice a skill? If not, you might keep homework invitational,” he said, adding that teachers can tell students, “If you think a little more practice tonight would help you solidify your learning, here are some examples you might try.”

On Facebook , Natisha Wilson, a K–12 gifted students coordinator for an Ohio school district, said that when students are working on a challenging question in class, she’ll give them the option to “take it home and figure it out” if they’re unable to complete it before the end of the period. Often students take her up on this, she said, because many of them “can’t stand not knowing the answer.” 

5. Grade for Completion—or Don’t Grade at All  

Former teacher Rick Wormeli argued that work on homework assignments isn’t “evidence of final level of proficiency”; rather, it’s practice that provides teachers with “feedback and informs where we go next in instruction.” 

Grading homework for completion—or not grading at all, Wormeli said—can help students focus on the real task at hand of consolidating understanding and self-monitoring their learning. “When early attempts at mastery are not used against them, and accountability comes in the form of actually learning content, adolescents flourish.” 

High school science teacher John Scali agreed , confirming that grading for “completion and timeliness” rather than for “correctness” makes students “more likely to do the work, especially if it ties directly into what we are doing in class the next day” without worrying about being “100% correct.” On Instagram , middle school math teacher Traci Hawks noted that any assignments that are completed and show work—even if the answer is wrong—gets a 100 from her.

But Frommert said that even grading for completion can be time-consuming for teachers and fraught for students if they don’t have home environments that are supportive of homework or if they have jobs or other after-school activities. 

Instead of traditional grading, she suggested alternatives to holding students accountable for homework, such as student presentations or even group discussions and debates as a way to check for understanding. For example, students can debate which method is best to solve a problem or discuss their prospective solutions in small groups. “Communicating their mathematical thinking deepens their understanding,” Frommert said. 

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11 Strategies to Make Homework Fun and Manageable

Posted by Erica Warren on May 11, 2021

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Homework Don'ts:

  • Never pair homework with a punishment. When this is done, students associate homework with unpleasantries, and it can have a negative impact on future assignments.
  • Don't call home assignments, "homework." Who wants to take their work home? Besides, when it is called work, it becomes work. Personally, I like to call it, "home fun!"

Homework Dos:

  • Create enticing names for home assignments. For example, I never teach script or cursive. I teach roller-coaster letters! 
  • Generate excitement about upcoming assignments by sharing your own excitement and enthusiasm for the content. 
  • Bring creative options such as drawing, sculpting, and music into assignments.
  • Introduce the fun factor to your lessons. Many students enjoy making games as well as playing them, so try to weave these into the curriculum. Encouraging these entertaining options can make academics more memorable too. 
  • Bring color into assignments. Instead of requiring your students to write in pencil or a black pen, encourage them to use an array of erasable colors, highlighters, and pens.  Personally, I love to use Frixion pens , highlighters , and markers .
  • Offer a variety of assignment options. Students possess different strengths, and they also have their own preferred ways of learning . Providing options allows them to share their knowledge and choose an approach that appeals to them. 
  • Limit the amount of homework. Students are often cognitively exhausted after a long day of schooling, and they need time to relax and also get involved in other afterschool activities.
  • Offering students extra credit for completing home assignments can be very motivating.  One of my favorite assignments is offering students the opportunity to make test corrections. This way, students can learn from mishaps and any misconceptions can be corrected.
  • Offer homework passes: We all need personal days.

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Make Homework Fun at Home

Make Homework Fun at Home

  • How to Make Homework Fun and Easy to Deal With

How to Make Homework Fun: 10 Tips

How to Make Homework Fun: 10 Tips

We Will Teach You How to Make Homework Fun

Let’s start with some main tips one need to learn how to make homework fun . Those advice works best if you do the homework alone.

1. Planning is the beginning

This fact a student should learn if they want their homework to be fun. Start with planning. You can come up with a simple plan in your head or use a special online homework app . But a writer needs to get few minutes to get the entire picture of your work to become clear. 

Planning ahead is the very useful thing to have as a habit. It will help you all your life even after school. If you are in a studying period, you should be extremely serious about your homework. It is very useful to make as much as you can at your classes. To learn how to finish homework fast , you should start with planning. You may also create a favourable learning space, where nothing will distract you from the process.

2.Do your homework at school

3. do tough tasks first.

Another cool thing to try is to deal with all of the tough tasks first. This is a perfect strategy if you have a long list of various tasks of different complexity. You also will be able to realize the amount time you need to cope with those tasks and edit them after the easy ones are done. It is also a perfect choice if you are one of those people that get bored very quickly.

4. Study with a friend

This time let’s talk about working in the company. It can be your friends, or you may be helping your kid to deal with his tasks. You may ask  how to focus on schoolwork in a company? It is not so hard if you try. If you are helping your kid, you may do your job just beside him. It will encourage your son or daughter to work passionately and copy your behavior. The shared workspace is a great method to try in different situations. Just like our company’s office. We love working together!

5. Make yourself comfortable

There should be just no limits. It means like absolute freedom. The only thing that matters is the result. The homework should be done correctly. That is all. No matter how you or your kid is sitting and where are you looking at. Just do your job and try to make it on time. It is one of the most important points of the how to make homework fun topic.  Relax and think about the result you need to achieve.

6. Have a break

You should realize that exhausted brains need to have some restart. If you are tired and bored, your brain takes little information even if you try hard. So, the best advice for you in this situation would be to chop your homework into few separate pieces. Do not forget about breaks! The best choice would be working for one hour with 10-minute breaks. Do not sit with your laptop. Stand up, go for a walk, have something physical activity; you may even play some game. Also, you should drink enough water to refresh the water balance for your brain.

Let’s name the most common distractions students often face with:

  • Social media
  • Smartphones

7. Organize a creative workspace

Ok, Google, what is the most creative workspace in the world? No, you are not supposed to get yourself a Microsoft or Apple type of office. But you can deal with something you already got and get something new to the interior. Is there enough light in your room?

You need to get some motivational posters on the walls. If you are working with your kids, you may come up with something like “Batman says to be cool, go to school” and anything like that. You may use some interesting stool to sit or a table made of a door. Consider something that will inspire you or your child to work productively.

8. Get some favourite snacks

You are not productive if you are hungry, just deal with it. A hungry child is even more sensitive to distractions than an adult. Just keep it in mind before doing your homework. Get a nice snack menu and start working. If you feel hungry, you may take a bite of pizza or something like that without a need to go to the kitchen and interrupt your working process.

9. Prepare a reward for yourself

No matter if you are doing the homework fun by yourself or you are helping your kid, you should have a reward. After the homework is done, you should have some sweet reward that would be a perfect hw motivation to deal with your tasks faster. The reward can be set for even smaller tasks. You may visit your favorite website after the one-hour session.

10. Get academic assistance

There are not so many students who don’t like to deal with their homework. They just consider it boring. Everyone just wants to put their homework off. Some students just prefer watching movies instead of working. However, homework can be beneficial for students.

The deal is not about laziness; it is the lack of motivation. It is a real problem thousands of students face every day. The task is not even as hard as it gets. All you need is motivation to cope with it and do it right. To have more interesting and helpful info about a studying process, visit our blog or order any type of academic paper online.

4.0 GPA… A study goal of many students. It seems so unachievable and fantastic. In fact, we’re all human beings with the equal opportunities. Students just need to set their priorities and focus on what is really important to improve their grades. Another crucial thing is to practice a lot. Probably...

Need to learn how to do homework faster? Go no further if you are one of those students wondering whether the amount of assignments is fair and how to manage your busy schedule successfully. In this blog post, our academic writing experts share insights into how to finish homework tasks until your d...

Cheating on homework is much easier and popular than cheating on in-class assignments. The teacher cannot control the actions of his/her students outside the class. It provides students with the certain benefits. In the age of modern technologies, it is simple to learn how to cheat on homework of an...

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Summer school – make it fun.

June 25, 2024 by Thom Smith

make homework fun at home

Most of my friends who aren’t educators have no clue what I do. And when I attempt to explain to them the trials and tribulations of education, the usual response is, “Well, at least you have the summer off!” No, no I don’t. And neither do millions of teachers across the country. We simply can’t afford to take the summer off. It is what it is.

If you’re in the same boat as me, you have two choices: teach summer school, or get a part time job elsewhere. After several months of your daily routine, I don’t blame you for wanting to take a vacation from the classroom. But I can also attest that teaching summer school has resulted in experiencing some of the best educational moments of my career – and it can be the same for you!

Summer school is what you make it, and you can make it a lot of fun! Let’s be honest – kids would rather be home during the summer, and so would you. So since both parties are of like mind, why not take that into consideration when approaching summer school. What would make summer school not only a tolerable experience for everyone involved, but an enjoyable experience? How can you take the “lemons” of summer school and turn them into a summer of “lemonade”?

In order to create a pleasurable AND productive summer school adventure, there are three main actions I take which have proven to be successful for my students, my colleagues, and myself:

Create a Theme

  • Creating a theme for summer school is easy, and it creates more of a “summer camp” feel for students. Again, in most circumstances, they don’t want to be there. If you come up with a high-interest theme, however, you will definitely garner some buy-in from your students.
  • For younger students, consider an animal theme for your class. To make things more intriguing, consider teaching about animals that also show up in Minecraft. Kids love animals, and you can read about them, write about them, and complete math problems that include them!
  • For older students, you could consider a “summer sports” theme. To make things more appealing, have students choose one athlete they can learn about all summer. This would involve students researching, reading, and writing about their favorite athlete. Also have students study their athlete’s stats and “do math” by presenting them with potential scenarios.

Set Specific Goals

  • Refine your art of teaching – summer school provides a wonderful opportunity to practice new methods of teaching, and try new tools and curriculum.
  • Reset your love for teaching – summer school provides you with the ability to focus more on each individual student. It also presents you with more freedom to choose what you would like to teach and help students learn about.
  • Relax while teaching – less grading, less meetings, less students (usually), less interruptions, less prep…need I say more?
  • Find joy in learning – summer school classes often have smaller class sizes, so find out what your student wants to learn about on day one, and not only integrate it into your lessons, but discover ways to make the learning experience more engaging and personalized.
  • Find success in learning – summer school classes are often students grouped together with similar academic skills. Summer school students quickly recognize that they are not on the “bottom tier” of their class, and immediately begin to develop a newfound confidence. Plus, we as teachers can more easily provide differentiated instruction that enables students to experience more consistent success.
  • Find rest in learning – summer school has less stressors than the regular school year: shorter days, smaller class sizes, high expectations coupled with the daily ability to achieve, as well as a summer day camp-like atmosphere created by their educators (hopefully). Summer school is an opportunity for students to experience less anxiety than usual in an academic setting.

Understand its Purpose

  • Students are in summer school for help and encouragement, and you are the one with the important responsibility to help and encourage. For whatever reason, whether a cognitive delay, a reading disability, struggles in math, difficulties with behavior…your summer school students have specific needs that require your dedicated assistance.
  • Summer school is not about obtaining higher test scores, achieving a specific grade, or competing with classmates – it shouldn’t be, anyway. Summer school is about maintaining positive and productive learning experiences for your students. Summer school is about providing more time for your students to read, write, participate in math, and feel successful doing so.
  • Summer school should be a low-stress, low-pressure, high-interest learning environment for your students.

Lastly, if you are NOT teaching summer school, but you ARE a parent or homeschooling parent, learning should not stop on the last day of school. Summertime can provide amazing opportunities for your children to maintain progress in learning, and cultivate a love of learning:

  • Oftentimes families have a more relaxed schedule in the summer, which can provide kids with more time to read a book of their choice, or explore areas of interest that include learning about history or science. Kids can keep learning about math, too, while engaging in collaborative activities like cooking, baking, shopping, gardening, and home renovations.
  • And do your kids want to use more technology over the summer? I’m fairly certain I know the answer to that question. So let them! But how about letting them play more educational video games? How about letting them watch more movies or television shows, too, but with more science or history-oriented topics?
  • Last summer here in New Hampshire was a wet one, but more often than not our summer days are gorgeous. Get your kids OUTDOORS. “Learning by playing” is not just for preschoolers. Have kids bike, hike, camp, swim, fish, climb trees, build forts, grow a garden…the opportunities to grow in knowledge and physical health are almost endless, and often right outside your front door!

Summer school teachers – enjoy the many opportunities you have to not only help your students grow this time of year, but to grow personally and professionally. Families not experiencing summer school – learning should never take a vacation, so don’t let it!

Thom Smith

Thom Smith Thom Smith is currently a fourth grade teacher in New London, New Hampshire. He has experience as an educator at the preschool, elementary, middle, and college levels. He has also been an administrator at the middle school level. He has an Early Childhood Education Degree, Elementary Education Certification, and a Masters in Educational Leadership. He is also a Christa McAuliffe Sabbatical recipient. He is a lucky and grateful husband, and a father to eight wonderful, rambunctious children. When he isn't spending time with his family or students, Thom loves to write poetry, hike, bike, and enjoy the vacation world that surrounds him in the Lakes Region of New Hampshire.

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12 Ways to Make Homework Fun for Students of All Ages

Getting kids to enjoy (or even accept) doing their homework can be a struggle at any age, especially in the fall when students head back to class after a summer of freedom. Beyond the effects of summer learning loss , there are lots of other reasons homework can be hard for kids, too.

make homework fun at home

Unfortunately, many households in the U.S. can't provide consistent adult supervision after school.  A 2014 study by the After-school Alliance found that 11.3 million children are left unsupervised in the evenings, which is the best time to reinforce the lessons learned in class with a little homework help. Another 2014 report by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention shows that the largest spike of violent crimes committed by juveniles is between 3-4 p.m., right when school lets out.

Making homework fun and inspiring kids to focus up can help curb these statistics. We know, because our professional staff spends so much time making out-of-school hours fun, safe, and constructive for kids.

Over the years, our trained youth mentors and program facilitators have developed lots of strategies and ideas to make homework more fun. Get tips on how to make homework fun in high school, middle school, and elementary school so you can help your kid succeed at every age.

Ideas to Make Homework Fun for Elementary, Middle and High Schoolers

From preschool to grade 12 and beyond, many kids find homework assignments boring or simply get restless when asked to sit down and study – but that doesn't mean they all need the same kind of motivation. Avoid a one-size-fits-all approach to homework help by using these age-appropriate tips.

Elementary School Homework Tips

make homework fun at home

Little kids frequently have trouble focusing on homework. School is out for the day and they just want to play! The solution? Make learning more like playtime.   

1. Create fun focus spaces. Kids often work on homework in their rooms or wherever there's a little spare table space – but kids' rooms and common areas are usually filled with distractions! Before this school year starts, create a special "homework zone" in part of the home that's more peaceful. (A "homework fort" is always a hit with young kids, as long as it's well lit!) Stock this area with lots of colorful school supplies so there's no reason to leave until their homework is all done.

2. Beat the clock. Young kids love racing to the finish. Make homework more like a race by setting up timed challenges. For example, count how many words they can spell correctly or math problems they can solve in the span of 5 minutes. The next day, challenge your kid to beat their own record. (A little competition can work great with siblings, too!)

3. Try learning apps. Support the subjects your kid studies in school with apps that make learning about it more fun. This tip is especially helpful for subjects that you or your kid struggle with. Some of our favorite educational apps include DragonBox for math, Spelling Stage for spelling, and DuoLingo , which offers learning-based games in Spanish, French and many other languages.

4. Team up with tunes. Just like the Alphabet Song teaches kids their ABCs, there are plenty of songs out there to help specific subjects stick. Search YouTube to find songs covering a range of subjects, including the planets in our solar system, the days of the week and months of the year, U.S. states and capitals, how to add or subtract, and pretty much any other educational topic you can imagine! If you can't find a song on a given subject, try making one up together!

Middle School Homework Tips

In middle school, students gain more independence to work alone or with peers. Encourage their developing maturity with a little structure and loads of support.

make homework fun at home

1. Use power hours. Power hours challenge kids to focus for a certain amount of time. Once the timer goes off, they can take a quick break before diving in again. Offering little rewards after productive power hour sessions is a great incentive at this age, too!

2. Plan study dates. If your kid struggles in a certain subject or has trouble focusing in a quiet, empty room, let them invite a friend or two over to study. If another kid is too much of a distraction, set the tone by working alongside your child. While they do homework, you can pay bills, make dinner, reply to emails, or even work on a crossword puzzle or another brain game. Doing "adult" homework creates a sense of companionship without being too overbearing – and it can help kids learn that work is a part of life, not just a part of school.

3. Make a routine. Lack of routine can be stressful for kids. Setting a regular schedule for homework can help reduce resistance and improve consistency. Beyond planning time for homework, come up with other little rituals that can help your kid focus, from putting on their current favorite album in the background to using prizes and other incentives to reward good work, like a small treat for every complete assignment!

4. Stay positive. Your attitude has a huge impact on how your kid sees the world, especially in the formative middle school years. Keep tabs on your own attitude toward your kid's homework. If you see helping your kid with homework as a chore, your kid will probably feel that way about it, too. Instead, try to see homework help as a fun, productive time when you both can learn and hang out together.

High School Homework Tips

When students reach high school, having parents hanging around to nag them about homework doesn't always help. Instead of implementing these homework strategies for high schoolers yourself, show this list to your teenager, and help them come up with a plan they can stick to. Then, take a step back. Check in with your teen every week or so to see if their plan needs tweaking.

make homework fun at home

1. Get organized . High school is the perfect time to start preparing for the life you want to lead after you leave home. To achieve your goals, you have to make plans and stick to them. It's the same with homework. When you get your assignments for the week, month or semester, take some time before jumping in to sort through the deadlines and requirements. Then, come up with a schedule and a realistic plan of attack. Use a day planner, calendar app, or time management app like Asana to make to-do lists for yourself – trust us, it feels great to cross stuff off your list.

2. Reward yourself . It's easier to work hard when you know there's a reward at the end of it. Set a study timer, and if you’ve focused on homework until the timer goes off, reward yourself with a favorite snack, a funny video, an epic solo dance party, or a little social media time.

3. Upgrade your workspace. Spruce up the place you do homework to fuel your productivity, imagination and problem-solving skills. Keep tools and supplies on hand to help you work through challenging assignments, like colorful pens, highlighters, sticky notes, and cool notepads or notebooks. Decorate with art and other objects that inspire you, and use calendars, whiteboards, chalkboards, corkboards, or even just paper and tape to help visualize and keep track of everything you have to do.

4. Turn up the beats. Spotify has tons of playlists dedicated to productivity, from ambient noise to instrumental hip-hop. Find a few go-to playlists that help keep you focused, and put one on whenever you have to zone in. Explore movie soundtracks and other kinds of instrumental music to avoid distracting lyrics.

Homework Help from BGCA

Every day, thousands of kids and parents rely on Boys & Girls Clubs of America for homework help and out-of-school support, especially in the crucial hours after school lets out and during the summer months. Explore our website to learn more about our programs , find your nearest club or support BGCA today.

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15-year-old Miles Russell set for PGA Tour debut, continuing “rollercoaster of fun”

Miles Russell, who made the cut in a Korn Ferry Tour event earlier this year, will make his PGA Tour debut at the RockeT Mortgage Classic.

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Miles Russell, Veritex Bank Championship

Two months ago, 15-year-old Miles Russell set an incredible record , becoming the youngest player to make a cut in a Korn Ferry Tour event. He eventually finished in a tie for 20th at the LECOM Suncoast Classic, which earned him a spot in next week’s tournament.

He missed the cut despite posting a 4-under par score through 36 holes. But Russell made a lasting impression—so much so that the Rocket Mortgage Classic offered him a sponsor’s exemption to compete in this week’s event at the Detroit Golf Club.

“I was pretty much speechless at the time,” Russell said when he received the call that he would make his PGA Tour debut at the Rocket Mortgage Classic.

“It’s always been a dream to play at the highest level and compete with the best players in the world, and I get to do that this week. I am really looking forward to it.”

Russell has quite a resume. He broke par for the first time at the age of six and then finished second in the Drive, Chip, and Putt finals at Augusta National in 2018 at nine years old.

Since then, Russell has racked up numerous junior titles. He won the Junior PGA Championship last August by seven strokes and then added a Junior Players Championship title at TPC Sawgrass , where he won by three. As such, Russell won the American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) Player of the Year Award, becoming the youngest player ever to do so—besting Tiger Woods in the process. Speaking of Woods, Russell will join Charlie Woods at next month’s U.S. Junior Amateu r, which will also take place in Michigan at Oakland Hills Country Club.

“I don’t know how to describe it other than just a rollercoaster, and it’s just been a rollercoaster of just fun,” Russell said.

“It all happened a little faster than I thought it might, but it’s just what happens when you have good play.”

Russell will undoubtedly continue to have fun this week at Detroit Golf Club, the host of the Rocket Mortgage Classic, regardless of the result. He said he will have to rely on his short game—his strong suit—to get around this tight golf course, but he also noted that staying disciplined will be critical.

“My goal is just to come out here and have fun,” Russell said.

“That’s my main goal: have fun, maybe learn something, and take something to my next event.”

Jack Milko is a golf staff writer for SB Nation’s Playing Through. Be sure to check out @_PlayingThrough for more golf coverage. You can follow him on Twitter @jack_milko as well.

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IMAGES

  1. 7 Ways To Make Homework Fun For Back To School

    make homework fun at home

  2. 5 Ways to Make Homework Fun

    make homework fun at home

  3. How To Make Homework Fun For Your Kids

    make homework fun at home

  4. 13 Fun Homework Ideas: The Best Ways To Make Homework Fun

    make homework fun at home

  5. How to Make Homework Fun for Children

    make homework fun at home

  6. How To Make Homework Fun For Your Kids

    make homework fun at home

VIDEO

  1. Funny Video on Homework l Homework Fun

  2. is homework fun?

  3. # Sunday Homework# Fun and learn #

COMMENTS

  1. 13 Fun Homework Ideas: The Best Ways To Make Homework Fun

    Televisions and iPads are a no go at homework time! 12. Remember to be positive. Remember to always be upbeat and positive about school and the importance of their homework. Give your child lots of praise and encouragement about how well they're doing to help them stay motivated and on track.

  2. 28 Ideas On How To Make Homework Fun For Students

    Working on homework teaches children that work is a part of life, not just school, and fosters friendship without being overpowering. 5. Design an Awesome Workspace. Improve the area where your kids complete their schoolwork to increase efficiency, creativity, and problem-solving abilities.

  3. Homeschool Fun Ideas: 26+ Creative Activities (Free List)

    Board games (like these reading, geography, math, history, and science) are brilliant. Card games are also cool for math fun and more. You can make your first day of homeschool extra special with fun activities. Our free printable 5 Days of Back to Homeschool Fun guide can help (and is filled with activities, like bingo, conversation starters ...

  4. How to Make Homework Fun

    Break Tasks Down: Divide homework into smaller, manageable chunks. Reward Yourself: Treat yourself after completing tasks or goals. Study with Friends: Make it social by studying with buddies. Use Apps: Try fun and educational apps for learning. Listen to Music: Create a motivating study playlist. Make It Visual: Use colors and visuals to make ...

  5. Making School Fun at Home

    Make homework more like a race by setting up timed challenges. For example, count how many words they can spell correctly or math problems they can solve in the span of 5 minutes. The next day, challenge your kid to beat their own record. (A little competition can work great with siblings, too.) Try learning apps.

  6. 8 Ways to Make Homework and Learning Fun

    Plus, offering up 10-minute breaks in the sun is a huge perk. 4. Make It a Group Effort. Start a study group. Have your kiddo invite classmates to read, write and do math equations together. If your student is old enough to handle organizing and delegating, take a step back and let your kid take on a leadership role.

  7. 7 Ways To Make Homework Fun For Back To School

    Instruct students they need to do five activities this week. If a word list, a game, or other resource is useful for completing the activity, you can attach it to the bingo card. You can even use the same card for more than a week. Let students know if they can repeat any activities or have to do all new ones in week 2.

  8. 13 Ways to Make Homework More Meaningful and Engaging

    The brain loves to do tasks in contexts with which it is familiar. 7. Allow students to collaborate in determining how homework will be assessed. If they help design the criteria for success, such as when they create the rubric for an assignment, they "own" the assignment.

  9. 10 Helpful Ways to Make Homework Fun and Engaging

    8. Short Breaks are Essential. Kids are energetic little munchkins and expecting them to sit still for hours is highly unreasonable. When homework sessions are longer than usual, or exams are near, let them study efficiently by allowing them short breaks in between.

  10. 3 Simple Ways to Make Homework Fun

    The trick to make homework fun. These three skills of controlling their own schedule, making homework time a game and knowing how to reward themselves puts kids ways ahead when it comes to making homework fun. Grab our FREE Drama Free Homework quickstart guide HERE. It'll give you the tools you need to start a stress-free homework routine.

  11. Is Homework Ever Fun? 10 Ways Teachers Can Make It More Engaging

    Incorporate Art. Most students enjoy engaging in creative thinking. Help make homework more fun and relaxing by adding art-focused assignments to the mix. One idea is to give students options to draw, write a song, or play an instrument in response to a certain book. Chris Cotter, director at Alpros, a language school in Japan, adds that ...

  12. 10 Ways to Make Homework Fun

    Make sure the space is well-lit as well, because squinting is no good for homework effectiveness. Tools. Colorful pens, paper, pencils and other tools make doing homework more fun. These can even be a reward themselves, as getting to head to the dollar store or shop online for desk accessories can be just as fun as using them. Attention

  13. How to Make Homework Fun for Kids

    Build on Doubles. Subtracting 9. Subtracting 10. PLUS a game that includes a mixture of strategies. You can also grab a pack of multiplication games. They cover each fact from multiplying by zero and one to multiplying by twelve. The pack also includes two mixed multiplication games.

  14. 13 Fun Homework Ideas: The Best Ways To Make Homework Fun

    Set up a homework play date. Go outside. Turn it into a game. Let them play teacher. Use a timer. Create a special homework space. Remember to be positive. Get help if you need i t. Thankfully, there are ways of making homework less boring and that little bit more fun for your child.

  15. 10 easy Ways How to Make Homework Fun

    9. Study with a partner. 10. Try your favorite snack or drink. 1. Set up a Homework Game Board. To make homework more enjoyable, try setting up a board with different activities kids can do at home. You can use a whiteboard, poster board, or even cardboard boxes. Just make sure that the items on the board are age appropriate.

  16. How to Make Homework Fun for Kids: 5 Easy Ways for Parents

    3. Learning Apps. Homework can be frustrating if your child doesn't understand the material. Fun math practice apps can be a great resource for visual examples and games that help your child practice concepts he is struggling with. So, make homework fun by getting an app that makes the subject easy for your child. 4.

  17. 5 Ways to Make Homework More Meaningful

    1. Less is More. A 2017 study analyzed the homework assignments of more than 20,000 middle and high school students and found that teachers are often a bad judge of how long homework will take. According to researchers, students spend as much as 85 minutes or as little as 30 minutes on homework that teachers imagined would take students one ...

  18. 5 Ways to Make Homework Fun

    Draw sums in the dirt, use chalk on the pavement or paintbrushes and water. Find leaves, sticks, and rocks and build those numbers or letters. Place the rocks in heaps of 2's, 5's, etc., and count in 2's, 5's, etc. Lay on the hammock and just read a book. Get creative!

  19. How to Make Homework Fun

    Homework Dos: Create enticing names for home assignments. For example, I never teach script or cursive. I teach roller-coaster letters! Generate excitement about upcoming assignments by sharing your own excitement and enthusiasm for the content. Bring creative options such as drawing, sculpting, and music into assignments.

  20. 5 Ways to Make Homework Fun

    5 Ways to Make Homework Fun . Let's face it - homework is not fun. After 6 hours of working at school, no child is in the mood to come home, sit at a desk and do more work. I am talking about traditional homework here, where repetition is the main focus.

  21. How to Make Homework Fun

    1. Do Homework With a Friend. Doing homework with friends is a great way to get through all of your work quickly, and it gives everyone a chance to socialize as well. It's also the best way to keep motivated and have fun. Studies find that friends who regularly do homework together have more fun, learn more, and have better mental health ...

  22. Make Homework Fun at Home

    These children are faster at learning to read or memorize pictures or objects. Visual children understand and remember information at a glance. When having a conversation with your children about a given topic, show them materials that they can relate to the concepts in question. During help with homework, parents can use props such as toys and ...

  23. How to Make Homework Fun: 10 Tips

    It is one of the most important points of the how to make homework fun topic. Relax and think about the result you need to achieve. 6. Have a break. You should realize that exhausted brains need to have some restart. If you are tired and bored, your brain takes little information even if you try hard.

  24. Summer School

    Summer school is what you make it, and you can make it a lot of fun! Let's be honest - kids would rather be home during the summer, and so would you. So since both parties are of like mind, why not take that into consideration when approaching summer school. ... Let's be honest - kids would rather be home during the summer, and so would ...

  25. 12 Ways to Make Homework Fun for Students of All Ages

    Getting kids to enjoy (or even accept) doing their homework can be a struggle at any age, especially in the fall when students head back to class after a summer of freedom. Beyond the effects of summer learning loss, there are lots of other reasons homework can be hard for kids, too. Unfortunately, many households in the U.S. can't provide consistent adult supervision after school. A 2014 ...

  26. Jun3 23, 2024, FIFTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

    GATHERING Chiming of the Hour Prelude "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God" UMH (110) C.P. Welcome *Call to Worship Written by Dr. Lisa Hancock *Hymn "How...

  27. PGA Tour: 15-year-old Miles Russell set for more fun in debut

    Two months ago, 15-year-old Miles Russell set an incredible record, becoming the youngest player to make a cut in a Korn Ferry Tour event.He eventually finished in a tie for 20th at the LECOM ...