We almost have a full month of school wrapped up, and I am exhausted. Between early mornings, late evenings, and weekend activities too, we are extra busy. Getting the kids back into a school routine has been tough, especially when it comes to homework.

Thade has homework Monday-Thursday, and I also give him at home homework to do too. He calls it mom-work. It isn’t much, but I think it is really helping him out with his reading and spelling too.

Every night and even on the weekends, I have him read a chapter from a non-school book. It doesn’t take him too long, and he usually reads two or three chapters.

He will also read board books to Agnes and Dylan, they love to listen to their big brother read.

Thade has been frustrated this year by the school’s reading limitations on reading materials. He has gone to the school library several times and tried to check out a very specific library book ( he is reading at a higher level) and he isn’t allowed to check out the book. I don’t think that this practice is fair at all, and I’m a bit of a stinker when it comes to rules, so…

To help keep him interested in and excited about reading, I let him go to the public library, use his library card, and pick out whatever book he wants to read. He knows the children’s section well, and sticks with the third grade level books. He is so proud when he gets to use his card, and find a favorite book to read.

I also have him write out his spelling words nightly, and we even do a practice spelling test on Thursdays.

We use a Composition notebook at home, it keeps all of this spelling “worksheets” nice and neat. I can also keep an eye on how his handwriting is improving. I have seen a big improvement in his spelling already, most weeks he gets a 106% on his spelling tests.

It isn’t much, in fact after snack time it only takes about 20 minutes for Thade to finish his homework and his mom-work too. I plan on carrying on this tradition when Dylan enters school next year too.

So what about you… How do you help your kiddos with their homework?