"Are You Done with Your Homework?"

by Kelly Knowlden

When you ask this question of your child, you can be pretty sure that they are thinking only about the actual ‘physical’ work that needs to be done—like answering questions, doing their workbooks, or writing an assigned composition. It is a rare child that includes into that equation studying. That means studying spelling words, vocabulary [yes, high school students have a vocabulary test weekly], or even notes for a specific subject, all are not considered “homework.”

So when the question above is asked, they can respond with clear conscience that “Yes, indeed! I am finished with my homework.” Of course they are flummoxed when they fail their next science test or don’t do well in their elements quiz because they didn’t study.... After all, it wasn’t “assigned.”

Obviously, we need to be on top of their schedule at least enough to ask if they studied the definitions and terms for math. We need to quiz them on their vocabulary definitions. We need to interact with them on their reading assignments, book reports and poetry memorization. All of this takes time, but then it will save a lot of time and headache over students who may be failing when they simply need to study.

So, when you ask the question above, be specific: “Did you study your terms for math class?” You will be helping them to be successful.

Third Quarter

by Kelly Knowlden

Today is the half-way point of the third quarter. In listing the interim report grades for my records, I was reminded that the third quarter is a difficult one for students. They often feel both the drudgery of routine as well as the “oppression” of being inside all winter. Motivation is low - and that sometimes translates into grades. They often settle for a “bare minimum” approach to their work. Motivation needs to be “inner-driven” but to get kids there is often difficult at any time of year.

Here are some things to consider. The book of Proverbs talks about seeking understanding. Desire to know as much about everything as possible is a quality that comes from understanding that God made this world and all in it. We should be profoundly concerned ourselves with knowing all about God’s World. Our desire to know will model for our children the delight there is in finding out about plants, weather patterns, clouds, food additives, what fractals are, how snowflakes are made, where sodium erythorbate comes from [not earthworms!], and so on. Inspiration to know comes from reading. Make sure that they see you reading God’s Word and read it with them.

Another motivation that can be modeled is the way you approach learning. Don’t ever let your children hear you say, “I’m not a math person.” You are giving them ammunition to use against you when you ask them to study. When they bring math home, don’t throw up your hands in despair. Ask them questions. “Now why did you put that number there?” is a great question! You don’t need to know the answer. You are demonstrating your interest in that which is foreign to you as well as forcing them to give you some sort of logical explanation. My kids all knew that Dad did not know anything at all about math. But that never stopped us from having great times talking about the processes of which I knew nothing. It was actually fun - and funny!


My last note for today is for you to consider what the world of digital toys is doing to your kid’s brain. To be able to have the brain-adrenalin take place while sitting down [not moving about] and having the stimulus of rapid moving images play across the screen of the mind makes a textbook - or any book - extremely dull. I am not necessarily against such toys. I do think that great limitations need to be put on them.


Enjoy learning about the world together. It is what makes young people be motivated to know and understand.