Guest Author - Jeanne Rutgers

All too often I hear parents complain about getting worksheets for homework. I hear them described as busy work and a waste of time. Work sheets, if done improperly can be an absolute waste of time. However, even the simplest work sheet can be turned into a learning opportunity.

Handwriting Practice

Every worksheet is an opportunity to improve handwriting or printing. If a worksheet is so boring and unchallenging, insist that your children use the worksheet as a chance to show off their best writing.

Many people feel that good handwriting or printing is a waste of time in today's computer driven world. I totally disagree. Take a look at some job applications. The type of job your high school student is likely to apply for won't require a resume. It will require a neatly filled out application.

Spelling Practice

Use your child's worksheets as a chance to practice spelling. I know most worksheets have the words you are required to spell at the top of the page. To make the lesson more challenging, simply cover up those words, and see if your student knows how to spell them on his own.

Time Management
One of the most important lessons we learn in school is the ability to organize our time. Children are famous for saying, "I don't have any homework." To well trained ear that expression translates into, "I don't have anything due tomorrow. But I do have a book report due at then end of the month, and I haven't started reading my book. I have a math test in two days and a vocabulary test on Friday. But tonight I wasn't planning on doing any homework."

No matter how much a parent may think worksheets are a waste of time, they still need to be completed. Teach your children that just because the due date for something is Friday, doesn't mean that you can't finish it earlier in the week.

However watch out for the trap of doing the easiest part of the homework first. Many students like doing their favorite subject or easiest assignment first. This is a bad idea. Instead teach your student to start with your most difficult subject, when he is the least tired and more likely to give something his complete attention. Save the easy worksheets for when he is waiting in the doctor's office, or during the drive to soccer practice.