Homework

In general, school, homework and learning can be a real struggle for many children -and as parents we struggle with how to help with homework for science and other projects too. I know this firsthand from watching my boys. Early on, I decided that my guys should never have to look far for the proper tools. Like a busy executive, they needed to concentrate on the task before them, and should have anything they need close at hand. There is a closet in our house that looks like the school supply section at Wal-Mart. The boys have tools to stay organized. They have plenty of socks, underwear, and soccer clothes. We have calculators, computers, dictionaries, encyclopedia, rulers, compasses, and yes, we keep spare science display boards. (We even keep completed projects, as you may have read

To prepare for this article, I walked through my house and made a list of the supplies we keep on hand. This list can be a springboard for getting supplies ready for your children. Let this list help you as you help your children to help themselves.

Lots of pencils Erasers Pens Markers – wide tip & fine point Permanent markers Highlighters in several colors Zip lock bags – all sizes Protractors Compass Rulers Glue and glue sticks Spray adhesive Scotch tape – wide and thin Duct tape and packing tape Sticky tack Thumb tacks Paper clips Paper fasteners Index cards LOTS of Notebook paper, wide and college rule Notebooks – 1 & 3 subject in both rules- with the THICK cardboard covers Graph paper Graph paper NOTEBOOKS (invaluable for math) Card stock in white and colors Colored computer paper Construction paper

White drawing paper Folders – pocket and prong Manilla file folders Envelopes – including large yellow ones Full sheets of sticker paper Labels Newsprint, bought for $1 at the newspaper office Pencil cases Bookbags (one of the boys broke his yesterday and I was grateful we had a spare) Notebook dividers Looseleaf binders in several sizes Sheet protectors Baby food jars Old magazines – including National Geographic, given away free by our local library Tempera paint Globe Wall Map Atlas Old set of encyclopedias Dictionary Thesaurus Electronic Dictionary – for the short definitions and the easy look up Calculators, some cheap, some not Extra Ink Cartridges Memory sticks/thumb drives

I’m quite aware that this is a LOT of stuff. But you will be amazed at how much help with homework those supplies will give you! Cut down on the stress and buy it in advance, you’re going to end up buying most of it anyway

Get your free copy of “The Non-Scientist Parents’ Guide to a Science Project” at 24 Hour Science Projects for more ideas of things you can do at home.