Tip of the Week

November 2, 2015

Fostering academic (homework!) independence

Help your child become more independent with his schoolwork by employing the “gradual release of responsibility model.” Here’s the straightforward framework:

  1. Model the task for your child: Explain the strategy you’re using, demonstrate using it successfully, and think aloud to make the strategy explicit.
  2. Guided practice: Practice the strategy together while offering feedback and support.
  3. Independent practice: Remove yourself from the equation and let your child practice the skill on his own.
  4. Encourage new applications: Have your child apply the strategy in a new format, genre, or more difficult context. Taking this final step helps make the strategy “stick.”