1St Grade Homework - Joliet,IL

First grade can be a big transition for some children. I would suggest you ask the teacher if you bring him in 15 minutes early or have him stay 15 minutes later so she can help him would be your best bet. I believe most teachers are supposed to offer extra help when needed. If he can go in early for a few days and have some one on one it should help him. Homework should really only be a review of what was done during the day so, I would ask the teacher if she notices him struggling during classwork as well. Most teacher's have an e-mail set up so you can communicate with them. Good luck!!

Explain it to him just like his teacher explains it. (Ask the teacher how s/he has explained the concept in class.) Children sometimes need a concept explained MANY times in order to understand it. This is completely normal developmentally. For instance, if your son is learning to add and subtract, maybe the teacher has taught him to use manipulatives (small objects). If that's the case, then use pennies or other small items that he can use to visualize his math problems. Or maybe the teacher has taught him to count on a number line. If that's the case, then always use a number line when you help him with math. If he says, "I don't get it," don't try to think of a different way to explain it. Just say, "Let's try the problem again." And then calmly review the problem in the exact same way you did before. I know it sounds weird, but I promise it does work if you stick with it. Just stay calm and be patient, and realize that these concepts that seem very basic to you are brand-new to him. It will take a lot of practice for him to understand the concepts and master them. If you keep changing the explanation, it will take him longer to understand it.

I think a good first step would be to ask his teacher how some of these concepts are being taught in class, and go from there.

If you have any questions, I think you should talk to the teacher. Try to figure out where she is going with things as far as the end result and see what you can do to help with that. I actually had pretty creative ways for helping my kids with things. We made up songs or rhymes to help with remembering. My kids still remember some of our "tricks" and I'm sure will pass them on to their kids.
First grade is a transition time and you need to try not to get frustrated so your child won't get frustrated on top of it. Both of you frustrated is a bad combo.
I vividly remember one assignment my son had about "silent E".
It showed a picture of a tub + e = (then a tube of toothpaste).
Tub + e = tube
But, being visual in his thinking, he didn't understand how a bathtub turned into toothpaste. How did a baseball cap + e = superman? (cape).
He got the hang of it once he realized it wasn't about naming the pictures...the pictures were just clues.
They do have "aha!" moments.

Try not to get frustrated. Patience is the key sometimes. Work with the teacher. In the first grade, homework shouldn't be too much pressure.

Just my opinion.

It may just be the way you two work together (personalities clashing). Would you consider hiring a tutor? Even a highschool student in your neighborhood could be of great help. If it's only 15-30 mins a day (for the tutor to explain in depth) then the cost would be very minimal. (maybe $40-$80/ week). You could use the tutor until you get the hang of helping your child by yourself (trying the methods the tutor used to help your child).

You could also try a relative, time after school with his teacher, a librarian or a homework help center (ie Sylvan, Kumon, etc).

Read the homework assignment alone first then after a much needed break/snack from for 1st grader set at a quiet place read the assignment outloud to him then do 1 question at a time.
I have a 1st grader this yr. tonite he had 2 assignments plus study sight words for a spelling test this Thursday typically on Friday but noschool.I understand your frustration it is so easy to us but not them & when he tell's me i'm going to fast I have to stop & rephrase myself the more attention I give the better results I get back in return he learns really well I see that the school work is correct the ones he does at school, I did'nt think homework would be every nite.Be patient don't drag it out my son's teacher say's no more than 20 min for homework if they are not getting it beingstubborn not paying attention acting out let it go then come back later retry.

That's a huge question! And simply put, it would take a long list of books depending on what he is having trouble with and what his learning style(s) are.

Do go to the teacher. And like the other responses have said, ask her how she is teaching concepts.

Do ask what the titles and publishing companies are for each subject. Today there are online components for each text and there is usually a child/parent section that may help

Do go to a teacher's store. Ask for recommendations that would teach the same concepts as what your child is learning.

Do break every task into its smallest parts. If he is working on a math worksheet get tangible items to count like pennies or crayons, pasta, etc... Solve each problem using these items so he can 'see' the problem.

If he is working with reading. Do a picture walk first. That means, look at the pictures the first time through while ignoring the words. Talk about the story, plant the vocabulary in his head while you talk about the pictures. Then after you look at the whole book, go back and have him read it. Only ten percent of the book should be work. If he brings something home that he is stumbling on every word, you read the book to him. It is better that you read it to him then having him get frustrated.

Do make homework fun. Break it up into small ten minute sections.

Do make sure he gets a snack before.

Don't let the situation get stressful. If you find yourself getting frustrated, stop and let him play for awhile.

Do pat yourself on the back. The fact that you want to help your son and that you are trying to find an appropriate way is huge!

You could try asking him questions. My dad found that to be increadibly helpful when we were working on math concepts he had never done. He said he really never knew what we were talking about, but more often than not we answered our own question. Start by asking him what he did in class that day and what he heard the teacher say about the homework. He will more than likely figure it out with minimal help from you.