Bridging The Gap Between Home And School (NAPSA)—Every year, parents face the age-old question as their children return to school: How do you get them to focus on their homework? While it’s so often a maligned subject, homework helps teach children persistence and A ~~ 1. tf Ses Pa a , | Fal attentiveness, as well as organization and time management. While there are many instructional tools that parents can use to help reinforce the homework lesson, a pivotal factor to making a difference is getting kids excited about it. That’s why the Dunkin’ Donuts Grade “A” Donuts Homework Achievement Program has been a growing part of thousands of teachers’ classrooms—to help students get excited about doing their homework. Developed by JMH Education and Dunkin’ Donuts with the guidance of a teacher advisory board, the Grade “A” Donuts Homework Achievement Program helps teachers bridge the gap between home and school. With fun-filled homework ideas, reproducible activities to get kids and parents actively involved, and a system for rewarding homework superstars, the program is a key tool for homework success. The Homework Walk of Fame Here are a few homework guidelines for parents to follow with their kids: e Set up a quiet space just for homework. Stock the space with all the supplies kids will need to stay on-task. Have your child get phone numbers from classmates who can share ideas and details about homework assignments. e Have your child use a weekly homework planner to write down each day’s assignments. e For a reading assignment, children should write down impor- A popular program is helping students get excited about doing their homework. tant points and look up unfamiliar wordsin a dictionary. e At the end of a reading assign- ment, have your child summarize out loud what was read. For a writ- ing assignment, read over their work and correct mistakes. Lights! Camera! Homework! Putting a spotlight on homework, the expanded Grade “A” Donuts program asks students to create a commercial “selling” other students on the importance of homework. As a group, classes are encouraged to write, direct and star in their own commercial. Advertising professionals evaluate the commercials and more than $10,000 in electronic and audiovisual equipment will be awarded to the winning classes. Entries must be postmarked by April 8, 2004. For more information about how to get involved in the Grade “A” Donuts: Honoring Homework Stars program, as well as other Dunkin’ Donuts WEE CARE initiatives, educators and parents can call 877-WE-DUNKN (877933-8656). won eee enn e enn n een nee. QS eee e een n nee e eee eee Note to Editors: Program only available in the following states: Connecticut; Delaware; District of Columbia; Maryland; New Jersey; New York; Pennsylvania; Virginia.
