sophie wouldn't help me with my homework

• PRO Courses Guides New Tech Help Pro Expert Videos About wikiHow Pro Upgrade Sign In
• EDIT Edit this Article
• EXPLORE Tech Help Pro About Us Random Article Quizzes Request a New Article Community Dashboard This Or That Game Popular Categories Arts and Entertainment Artwork Books Movies Computers and Electronics Computers Phone Skills Technology Hacks Health Men's Health Mental Health Women's Health Relationships Dating Love Relationship Issues Hobbies and Crafts Crafts Drawing Games Education & Communication Communication Skills Personal Development Studying Personal Care and Style Fashion Hair Care Personal Hygiene Youth Personal Care School Stuff Dating All Categories Arts and Entertainment Finance and Business Home and Garden Relationship Quizzes Cars & Other Vehicles Food and Entertaining Personal Care and Style Sports and Fitness Computers and Electronics Health Pets and Animals Travel Education & Communication Hobbies and Crafts Philosophy and Religion Work World Family Life Holidays and Traditions Relationships Youth
• Browse Articles
• Learn Something New
• Quizzes Hot
• This Or That Game New
• Train Your Brain
• Explore More
• Support wikiHow
• About wikiHow
• Log in / Sign up
• Education and Communications
• Study Skills
• Homework Skills

How to Get Homework Done when You Don't Want To

Last Updated: March 15, 2024 Fact Checked

This article was co-authored by Ashley Pritchard, MA and by wikiHow staff writer, Hannah Madden . Ashley Pritchard is an Academic and School Counselor at Delaware Valley Regional High School in Frenchtown, New Jersey. Ashley has over 3 years of high school, college, and career counseling experience. She has an MA in School Counseling with a specialization in Mental Health from Caldwell University and is certified as an Independent Education Consultant through the University of California, Irvine. There are 9 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 248,323 times.

Homework can be a drag, but it's got to be done to keep your grades up and stay on track during school. Going somewhere quiet, making a plan, and giving yourself breaks can all help you stay focused and on task to get your work done quickly. Try to keep your assignments organized and give yourself credit for completing hard or boring work, even if you didn’t want to.

Getting Motivated

• Keep a list of your assignments and check them off as you finish them. This can give you a sense of accomplishment that can motivate you to keep going.

• Make it the rule that you work for a certain amount of time, or until a certain amount of work has been accomplished. Afterward, you can hang out. Stick to this schedule.
• Try this out and see if it works. If you're too distracted by having friends around, make a date to hang out after homework instead.

• Make sure you keep the competition to yourself. Competing with your friends isn’t fun, especially over homework assignments and grades.

• Learning something that will probably help with future assignments, even if you don't know what they are yet.
• Proving to your teacher that you understand the homework so that they don’t keep assigning it over and over.
• Improving your GPA.
• Getting a good grade.

• Try not to reward yourself with food, as that can lead to snacking when you aren’t really hungry.

Staying Focused

• For instance, tell yourself that if you finish your first assignment in 20 minutes, you can go on your phone for 5 minutes.

• Make sure you stand up and do something when it's your break, or you won't get your wiggles out.
• Set a timer on your phone or use a kitchen timer to let yourself know when it's time to switch tasks.

• If you don't have control over the subject, try to find connections between the topic and something you care about. Find aspects of the subject that interest you.
• For instance, if you have to study History but you care the most about fashion, investigate the styles of the times and places you are studying. Learn how political and economical developments changed the way people dressed.

• You can find playlists on Spotify and YouTube that are made for studying and doing homework.

• When you're struggling to focus, sign out of your email and all social media so you don't check them as a reflex.

Creating Good Study Habits

• If you have many textbooks and worksheets, stack them and put them to the side.
• Get things like pencils, erasers, calculators, rulers, and paper.

• Having a planner will make it less tempting to procrastinate, as long as you have broken up your studying into manageable chunks.
• Your planner can be paper, or you can get one on your phone. Just make sure it has space for task lists as well as events.
• Once you have completed a task, cross it off or put a check next to it. Seeing that you're getting your work done will make you feel better, which in turn will motivate you to keep up the good work.
• Don't put more than you can do in one day on a list! Split up your week's work so that every day has a manageable amount.

• If you have a job or extracurricular activities that change your daily schedule, determine a weekly schedule that you stick to as much as possible.

• Sometimes just explaining what you have to do will help you understand it better.
• Talking to another person is a great way to brainstorm ideas. They may ask you questions or provide comments that can help you organize your ideas.
• Other times, the person you are talking to will notice something about the prompt that you overlooked.

Supercharge Your Studying with this Expert Series

Expert Q&A

Reader Videos

Share a quick video tip and help bring articles to life with your friendly advice. Your insights could make a real difference and help millions of people!

• Try asking a family member to help you remember when to start your assignments so you don’t forget. Thanks Helpful 4 Not Helpful 2
• If you’re really struggling with a topic, consider going to a tutor for extra help. Thanks Helpful 4 Not Helpful 2
• Getting motivated can be tough. Just try your best, and don’t be afraid to ask for help. Thanks Helpful 4 Not Helpful 2

Tips from our Readers

• Set up a dedicated study area at home with your needed supplies, to establish a consistent homework routine. Having everything in one prepared place helps minimize distractions.
• Use a planner to schedule out all your assignments. Break them into small, manageable pieces so it's less overwhelming. Checking tasks off as you finish motivates you along.
• If completely stuck on an assignment, reach out and talk it through with someone. Verbalizing it can provide new insights to move forward.
• Take short activity breaks every 45 minutes. Get up, stretch, grab some water. It refreshes your mental focus so you stay engaged.
• Incorporate a fun personal interest into an assignment when possible. Writing about something you care about keeps you absorbed.
• When you really need to concentrate, eliminate enticing distractions like your phone. Logging out keeps you on track.

You Might Also Like

• ↑ https://hwpi.harvard.edu/files/comm/files/smarttalk_staff_guide.pdf
• ↑ http://www.wcsu.edu/housing/wp-content/uploads/sites/55/2018/05/Handout-V6N6.pdf
• ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/worry-wise/201410/how-prevent-homework-procrastination
• ↑ Ashley Pritchard, MA. Academic & School Counselor. Expert Interview. 4 November 2019.
• ↑ https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/homework.html
• ↑ http://kidshealth.org/en/kids/organize-focus.html?WT.ac=p-ra#
• ↑ https://www.stonybrookmedicine.edu/sites/default/files/homework_tips.pdf
• ↑ https://childmind.org/article/strategies-to-make-homework-go-more-smoothly/
• ↑ http://kidshealth.org/en/teens/homework.html#

About This Article

• Send fan mail to authors

Reader Success Stories

Jan 10, 2019

Did this article help you?

Emily Chambers

Oct 8, 2018

Hermione Granger

Apr 11, 2016

Skylar Baird

Nov 29, 2016

Oct 28, 2016

Featured Articles

Trending Articles

Watch Articles

• Terms of Use
• Privacy Policy
• Do Not Sell or Share My Info
• Not Selling Info

Get all the best how-tos!

Sign up for wikiHow's weekly email newsletter

19 Strategies To Overcome Avoidant Behaviors With Homework

Task initiation is a critical skill to master. This skill allows us to get started, independently, on tasks even when they are non preferred tasks. Students engage in avoidant behaviors for different reasons. Some students avoid tasks because they have no idea how to get started while others avoid tasks because they have zero motivation or interest in the subject of the task. Being able to work through these avoidant behaviors is essential to achieving success not only in school but in all areas of life.

Here are some practical yet highly effective strategies to help students work through homework avoidance., 5 steps to the end goal: identify a major task you have been avoiding. this could be a research paper, science project, or a history presentation. once you have identified a task, write down the end goal. with your end goal in mind, think of at least five, actionable steps that will get you there. once you have a list of actionable steps, you will be able to get started with the task, working one step at a time., 5 minute challenge: set a small goal to achieve within 5 minutes. this could be answering 5 questions, writing 3 sentences, reading 2 pages, or writing three definitions. then, set a timer for 5 minutes. challenge yourself to surpass your goal within that 5 minutes. continue to challenge yourself until your finished with the task at hand., identify the first step : when tasks are abstract or involve a lot steps it can feel overwhelming. you might have study for history test on the to do list but what does that even mean rather than approach an abstract task like studying for history all at one, identify the first step and go from there. applying this approach takes a task like study for history and transforms it to print out the history study guide from google classroom., time yourself: anyone can work towards completing just about any task for 10 minutes. set a timer for 10 minutes. commit to working until the timer goes off. when the timer goes off, stop and acknowledge what you have accomplished. recognize this is a small victory. then, do it again. the goal is to work up to 30 minutes. find your threshold. if 10 minutes worked well for you, set the timer for another 10 minutes. before you know it, you’ll reach your 30 minute goal., visualize the process: when your stuck on a particular task, take a moment to create a vivid mental image on the steps you need to take to complete the task. when you focus on the process involved in achieving the desired outcome which in this case is simply completing the task, you will find it is much easier to begin working. in order to visualize the process, ask yourself: what materials do i need; what resources are available, who can i reach out to for help; how long will it take; where will i work, etc.., put your homework on your desk: many times, the hardest part is getting started. there is not much effort involved in simply taking your homework out of your binder or backpack and placing it on your desk. once it’s sitting there in front of you, you’ll be much closer to actually getting it done., get an accountability partner: ask a friend to be your accountability buddy. at the beginning of each day, tell each other what you plan to work on that afternoon. then at the end of the day, check in with each other to see if things went according to plan., change your environment: if your environment is part of your problem, then change it. bring your work to the kitchen table or head to a coffee shop and get it done there., get organized : when you can’t remember the details of an assignment or when it is due you'll naturally feel stressed. don’t rely on your memory; write everything down and refer back to it to help make things clear, self advocate: reach out to your teacher or someone who could help. send them an email and ask for clarification if you are unsure how to complete the assignment., replace “i have to” with “i choose to”: take control of your situation and replace i have to with i choose to. when you say i choose to do my homework, you’ll feel empowered and more motivated to get things done., reality testing questions: ask yourself, “is this thought really true” “has that happened in the past” if you say, “i’ll never get this done.” say, “is that true of the past or have i got my work done”, minimize distractions: turn off all sounds/notifications. let important people know if you need to. store your phone in a place beyond reach- drawer or better yet the other room., complete 2 minute tasks: if a task takes 2 minutes or less to complete, do it now. example: replying to your group projects email thread; asking your parents to sign a consent form; writing a checklist; sending an email to schedule a meeting; submitting a paper online, schedule homework appointments: these appointments are specific blocks of time reserved for working on a report, assignment, or project. scheduling appointments is effective because it makes the task more “official,” so you’re more likely to keep the appointment., break down tasks into steps: when assignments seem overwhelming, that is likely because they are abstract and require multiple steps. break down the task into smaller, manageable pieces. then get started, step by step., agree and move on: agree with your thought and then say, “and how do i move on.” if you say, “my teacher is so unfair.” say, “that may be true, my teacher is so unfair. and how do i move on”, motivate yourself: set a small goal to work towards. once you achieve your goal, reward yourself. example: goal- complete questions 1-10. reward- check my phone and text a friend., change the label to a description: example: change "this homework assignment is going to take forever" to "this homework assignment has a lot of steps involved and i can approach it 1 step at a time., which strategy are you going to encourage your student to try share your thoughts in the comment below..

A Simple, Fast, and Intelligent AI Homework Helper

HomeworkAI Is The Ultimate AI Homework Helper You Need

Struggling with piles of homework and tricky assignments? Let HomeworkAI help you out! Our smart AI homework helper delivers detailed, step-by-step solutions, transforming study sessions into smooth sailing.

Covering all subjects, from complex calculus to intricate biology, our homework AI is here to ease the stress and boost your grades. Say hello to effortless learning and wave goodbye to study blues with HomeworkAI!

Get Instant Answers From Our Homework AI

Description: This is how to unlock comprehensive answers and master your studies with our homework AI, in a fast, accurate, and educational fashion.

Upload Your Assignment - Simply upload images, text files, or type your question to get started.

AI Processing - Our advanced AI homework helper will process your assignment and provide detailed, accurate solutions.

Learn & Understand - Review the step-by-step guidance to improve your knowledge and complete your homework with confidence.

Gain Academic Advantages From HomeworkAI's Top Features

Instant Solutions

Quick, clear-cut answers are just a click away with an instant AI homework helper—skip the headache and let our homework AI do the heavy lifting for you.

Maximum Accuracy

Count on Homework AI for spot-on answers. Our advanced AI algorithm digs deep into a vast knowledge base to ensure you get the most accurate solutions every time.

Around-the-Clock Help

Day or night, our homework AI is at your beck and call, ready to dismantle any academic obstacle you encounter, so learning never has to pause for a break.

Comprehensive Support

Whatever the subject, our intelligent AI homework helper has you covered. Get expert help from algebra equations to zoological classifications with ease.

Easy to Use

Enjoy a super user-friendly platform with our homework AI, tailored to empower students and academic professionals at every level to navigate through assignments with confidence.

Our Homework AI Can Help You With All Subjects !

Turn to HomeworkAI for tailored homework and assignment assistance in every subject of your choice.

Mathematics

Solve complex equations and tackle calculus challenges with our AI-powered homework helper that turns numbers into knowledge.

From cellular structures to ecosystem dynamics, easily manage your biology assignments with clear, detailed explanations.

Balance chemical equations and understand reaction mechanisms with a quick online problem solver that simplifies the periodic table.

Analyze literary themes and decipher figurative language with insights that breathe new life into classic texts.

Connect historical dots with ease, as HomeworkAI helps you interpret events and understand their lasting impacts.

Discover Success Stories with Our Homework AI

Ever since using HomeworkAI for my math homework, studying has been way less stressful, and I can say that I'm enjoying math now. My grades are up and I actually get the hang of algebra now!

- Priya K., University Sophomore

I was dreading chemistry all semester, but HomeworkAI totally turned that around. I'm now breaking down reactions and acing quizzes with confidence. The step-by-step solutions it provides are a lifesaver for someone like me! Totally recommended. 

- Marcus D., High School Junior

HomeworkAI made sense of all those crazy bio terms I could never remember. HomeworkAI’s explanations have made it manageable. My test scores are also much better, and I'm not a bundle of nerves anymore!

- Lina J., College Freshman

No more panicking over biology assignments with this AI homework helper!! Nailed my biology midterm, all thanks to HomeworkAI! It's like having a tutor in my pocket, ready to help with homework anytime, day or night.

- Carlos M., High School Senior

Why HomeworkAI Is Your Go-To AI Homework Helper ?

What types of files can i upload to homeworkai.

HomeworkAI supports a variety of file formats, including text files such as PDF, DOC, DOCX, and image files like JPEG and PNG. This allows you to easily upload assignments, worksheets, and questions in the format that best suits your needs.

Is HomeworkAI suitable for all educational levels?

Yes, HomeworkAI is tailored for students and educational professionals of all levels—from middle schoolers to university undergrads—providing support and solutions customized to each educational stage.

Can HoweworkAI process practice questions from textbook material?

Yes. Simply upload the textbook material with practice questions, and our homework AI will analyze them to provide detailed solutions and explanations, just as it would with any other homework assignment or study query.

Does getting help from HomeworkAI considered cheating?

HomeworkAI is an AI question answerer designed to aid your learning process, much like a traditional tutor. Thus, utilizing HomeworkAI may not be considered cheating, as long as it aligns with your institution's guidelines for using external help.

Can I use HomeworkAI to prepare for my exam?

Absolutely, HomeworkAI can be an effective tool for exam preparation. It offers practice questions, solutions, and thorough explanations to help reinforce your understanding of the subject matter, giving you an extra edge in your study routine.

How does HomeworkAI handle problems with multiple solution methods?

HomeworkAI does have the ability to handle problems with multiple solution methods. It can provide a primary solution and, where applicable, may offer alternative approaches or explanations to give you a well-rounded understanding of the problem at hand.

Get Your Hands on The Best AI Homework Helper Right Now !

HomeworkAI doesn't just deliver answers—it teaches problem-solving, becoming your ultimate homework companion.

StudyMonkey

Your personal ai tutor.

Learn Smarter, Not Harder with AI

Introducing StudyMonkey, your AI-powered tutor .

StudyMonkey AI can tutor complex homework questions, enhance your essay writing and assess your work—all in seconds.

No more long all-nighters

24/7 solutions to questions you're stumped on and essays you procrastinated on.

No more stress and anxiety

Get all your assignments done with helpful answers in 10 seconds or less.

No more asking friends for help

StudyMonkey is your new smart bestie that will never ghost you.

No more staying after school

AI tutoring is available 24/7, on-demand when you need it most.

AI Tutor for any subject

American college testing (act), anthropology, advanced placement exams (ap exams), arabic language, archaeology, biochemistry, chartered financial analyst (cfa) exam, communications, computer science, certified public accountant (cpa) exam, cultural studies, cyber security, dental admission test (dat), discrete mathematics, earth science, elementary school, entrepreneurship, environmental science, farsi (persian) language, fundamentals of engineering (fe) exam, gender studies, graduate management admission test (gmat), graduate record examination (gre), greek language, hebrew language, high school entrance exam, high school, human geography, human resources, international english language testing system (ielts), information technology, international relations, independent school entrance exam (isee), linear algebra, linguistics, law school admission test (lsat), machine learning, master's degree, medical college admission test (mcat), meteorology, microbiology, middle school, national council licensure examination (nclex), national merit scholarship qualifying test (nmsqt), number theory, organic chemistry, project management professional (pmp), political science, portuguese language, probability, project management, preliminary sat (psat), public policy, public relations, russian language, scholastic assessment test (sat), social sciences, secondary school admission test (ssat), sustainability, swahili language, test of english as a foreign language (toefl), trigonometry, turkish language, united states medical licensing examination (usmle), web development, step-by-step guidance 24/7.

Receive step-by-step guidance & homework help for any homework problem & any subject 24/7

Ask any question

StudyMonkey supports every subject and every level of education from 1st grade to masters level.

Get an answer

StudyMonkey will give you an answer in seconds—multiple choice questions, short answers, and even an essays are supported!

Review your history

See your past questions and answers so you can review for tests and improve your grades.

It's not cheating...

You're just learning smarter than everyone else

How Can StudyMonkey Help You?

Hear from our happy students.

"The AI tutor is available 24/7, making it a convenient and accessible resource for students who need help with their homework at any time."

"Overall, StudyMonkey is an excellent tool for students looking to improve their understanding of homework topics and boost their academic success."

Upgrade to StudyMonkey Premium!

Why not upgrade to StudyMonkey Premium and get access to all features?

Making English Fun

How to Deal with Homework Struggles – Practical Solutions

One of the biggest fights that children and parents have is over homework . For some students, homework struggles are a frequent occurrence and can be extremely challenging without the benefit of the teacher present.

However, Having a plan in place and a little knowledge you can get through these with a little patience and commitmen t. Here are some tips on how to prevent those homework struggles from spiraling out of control.

Students struggling with homework is an increasing problem. Ever increasing demands on student’s time, and a shortening attention span globally are some root causes. Solutions can include: Schedule setting, regular break periods, extrinsic and intrinsic motivations, and teacher parent cooperation.

Many schools have gone to either online learning, remote learning, or in-person learning with remote or online days and times. This new learning format is challenging, even for older children. Young children with less experience in the classroom are miserable at times.

Homework struggles does not necessarily mean struggling students. Students who are not getting adequate instruction time are struggling even though they wouldn’t usually. We have compiled some tips for parents experiencing struggles with their young kids doing homework.

Understanding the Problem

If your child is struggling with homework, you need to understand what is causing the struggle. Are your children resistant to beginning homework or having trouble with a specific type of assignment? The answer to this question will determine what you do next.

If your child has trouble remembering instructions or comprehending them, you might have to look for alternate instructions or access to their coursework . Sometimes students forget assignments, and writing them down is the best thing they can do.

For other students, they hear the instructions and do not comprehend them. This type of challenge may indicate a learning disability, so you need to determine which issue your child is having . Keep in mind that not every child having trouble remembering or comprehending instructions has a disability.

Potential Problems and Possible Solutions

We want to address a variety of problems and their solutions. Each problem may have several solutions. They may even have solutions that we do not list. These are merely some suggestions to get your creative juices flowing.

Struggling with the Homework

Children who are struggling with assignments are often resistant to doing the assignment. Even if they sit down to do the assignment, students who are working to the point of frustration will sometimes fight or kick and scream and call themselves names . This behavior is not only frustrating for parents, but it is also heartbreaking.

Assist with Assignments

While homework is for student practice, they cannot practice what they do not know. Act as a facilitator. Help reread assignment instructions and go over the material again if you can. As a parent watching your child struggle, it can be tempting to tell them the right answer, but this does not help them learn . Help students discover the answer by slowing down and chunking the steps.

Talk to the Teacher

Encourage your child to work with the teacher to find solutions, but emailing or talking to the teacher may help you find ways to help your child at home. Ask for additional information that can help you and your child get through these challenges at home.

Asking for clarification may help you find new ways to explain the material to your child. If the teacher notices a trend, he or she may recommend interventions or tutoring for your child.

Flip The Classroom / Stop with the Worksheets

Although we are aiming this article at parents trying to combat homework struggles, this one if for the teacher. STOP GIVING BORING HOMEWORK ! try flipping the classroom. send home the materials to read, watch, engage with. Send home a game to play with their parents, or on their own, it can still all be assessed.

S ending home work sheet after worksheet will not achieve much more than causing problems and division. There are hundreds of games here on our site that offer a little more interaction. None of them are candy crush or Minecraft, but children will respond if they feel teachers are making an effort to make work more interesting.

If you need to edit games we even sell those in our shop , then you can arm yourself with a suite of tasks that if not quite as exciting as Disney at least they are a step in the right direction.

Procrastination and Attention

Procrastination is fun for kids. Legos, Elsa and Anna, dinosaurs , and balls are much more interesting than math, science, or writing. Children need help with self-regulation of behaviors.

Executive function is not an innate skill. It must be taught. Sometimes children just have trouble with procrastinating or paying attention.

Set a Schedule

Set a time to do homework. Nothing else is allowed to be done during homework time. You might even have to “countdown” homework time; a two-minute warning does not have to be reserved for Monday night football.

Take Frequent Breaks

When children are having trouble concentrating, taking a break is a good idea. Adults usually don’t work for more than 45 minutes or an hour before needing to stretch and losing their ability to concentrate . Set a timer for twenty to thirty minutes and then a five-to-ten-minute break.

This does not mean that your child should be done with a whole assignment in those thirty minutes. It simply means that they need a minute or two to gather their thoughts and begin again. For children with true Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, this can be the difference between success and failure . A few minutes to get the wiggles out is spectacular.

Find a quick movement video on YouTube if you want to give them something specific to do.

Lack of Interest In Homework

Lack of interest is probably the hardest one to overcome. Students who lack interest will procrastinate, misunderstand, and not be able to concentrate. This problem often has elements of the above two. You can combat it in small ways.

Incorporate Something They Like

Sometimes this one may feel like bribery. You can trade a few minutes of something they love for every thirty minutes of work and real concentration . They must work hard on the assignment and cannot rush through it. During their break, they can play five minutes of their favorite game, listen to their favorite song, or build with their Legos—trade a little fun for a little hard work.

Do It First and Get It Out Of The Way.

Teach your children to do the uninteresting thing first . Insist that they do it well or require it to be redone, but let them do the boring stuff and get it out of the way. Then they can move on to the exciting assignments. If there is a motivator to just get through it it may help them stop fighting it and just do it.

You can use extrinsic and intrinsic motivators here, but if you can help them understand we are all doing this for a reason and the reason is not to bore them out of their minds!! (that is just an unfortunate by-product)

With smaller children it is unlikely you will be able to explain to them there merit of their learning for the future right now. They do understand rewards they can see and touch.

Would We Work For Free?

I have a system in my classroom that rewards good behavior, a table on the wall. I add points for behavior helpfulness, kindness, exceptional effort and work. After they reach a certain number of points there is a tangible reward structure. that enables the children can choose what they would like with the points they have earned. Adapting this to avoid homework struggles is perfectly feasible.

Reward Factors

• Quality of work
• helpfulness
• Punctuality
• professionalism

Potential Rewards

• stationary, cool pencils, pens, erasers etc
• Trips to play areas
• Use of an iPad / tablet to play (educational) games for a recess
• lunch with the principal ( for me a punishment, for them an honor!)
• Award certificate for them
• Books to take home
• Monitor for a week

I designed that ( its actually bigger, for my classes in school) . I do this by introducing that we cant pay children money, its a shame but we cant. We tried it but then they didn’t go to school. So I can pay for good work a different way.

Now, i know teachers have mixed opinions on this. I don’t, if its done correctly. I regard extrinsic motivators as a waypoint on the path to intrinsic ones. I also believe that the are times when we just have to sit and do the boring task, stripping wallpaper, washing the pots and completing homework.

How much nicer is it to say after the wallpaper I will have a tea and cookie, after the pots I will sit and watch my TV show and after my homework I can play with my toys for 30 mins.

We are teaching more than the subject with methods like these we are teaching children how to monitor their time, how to be patient, how to negotiate and how to do boring task that just need doing!

Final Thoughts

There are only a few suggestions and issues here. If you are concerned about your child’s abilities, always seek advice from teachers or physicians first. Learning disabilities, visual problems, hearing challenges, and other medical and learning needs can be addressed with the appropriate interventions. However, for most children, homework struggles are simply a matter of disinterest, procrastination, or typical challenges with new material keep trying new approaches and you will find the way that works best for your own children.

Hi I’m Marc. A teacher of over 15 years, English, General Studies and Outdoor Education. Thought it was about time to sharing both what I have learnt during that time and the resources I have put together. On this site we aim to teach the theory and share our thoughts, but also go that one step further and give you access to the hard resources you need for your class or for you children

Share this:

• Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)
• Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)

Making English Fun!

I have been a teacher of English for over 15 years, in that time i made hundreds and thousands of resources and learnt so much i think its worth sharing. Hopefully to help teachers and parents around the world.

Similar Posts

What is The Difference Between 12 AM and 12 Pm?

Have you ever set an alarm for 12 PM thinking it’s midnight, only to realize it’s actually noon? Or scheduled a meeting for 12 AM and had everyone show up confused in the middle of the night? You’re not alone! The terms 12 AM and 12 PM can be a source of confusion for many….

FREE Printable Grade 2 Sight Word Worksheet – “Which”

The sight word “which” is crucial for Grade 2 students, representing a term used to introduce a question or clause referring to part of a group or a selection between alternatives. This guide, designed for educators, ESL instructors, and parents, provides a printable worksheet to help children master “which,” thereby enriching their ability to discuss…

Patchwork: Engage Study Activate Teaching Method

The ESA (Engage, Study, Activate) method has become a cornerstone for many educators. Among its variations, the Patchwork approach stands out for its flexibility and adaptability. Patchwork ESA method, as the name suggests, adapts to multiple learner ability levels and uses Engage, Study, Activate phases in non-linear patterns. It fosters student engagement through customized, responsive…

FREE Printable Grade 1 Sight Word Worksheet – “Some”

The sight word “some” is pivotal for Grade 1 students, denoting an unspecified quantity or number of something. This guide, intended for educators, ESL instructors, and parents, provides a printable worksheet to help children master “some,” thereby enriching their ability to discuss partial quantities, selections, and the concept of an unspecified amount. You can see…

Celebrity Interview Script Examples for Students.

Welcome to “Making English Fun,” where we explore creative ways to learn and teach English! Today, we’re diving into the world of role-playing with celebrity interviews. This exciting activity not only sparks students’ imaginations but also enhances their language skills. Whether you’re a young learner or a bit older, our tailor-made scripts offer a fun…

Foreign or Foriegn: Which is the Correct Spelling?

In English, correctly spelling words with ‘ie’ or ‘ei’ combinations can be challenging. This is evident in the frequent confusion between “Foreign” and “Foriegn.” Such spelling problems are common due to the English language’s complex rules and especially exceptions to those rules. The word “foreign” is used extensively in various contexts, such as international relations,…

Always welcome thoughts and comments, new blogs can be lonely!! Cancel reply

Check out our Premium Products in the shop today Dismiss

Discover more from Making English Fun

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading

You must be logged in to post a comment.

The 6 Best Tutoring Sites for Homework Help

Are you in desperate need of homework help? These online tutoring sites can help you succeed in school.

If you're struggling to grasp the concepts you learn in class, chatting with a personal tutor can help. With the help of the internet, you can have 24/7 access to tutors, and you don't even have to leave your house to meet with them.

In desperate need of some online homework help? These tutoring sites can help you succeed in school.

1.  The Princeton Review

The Princeton Review offers stress-free online homework help in over 80 subjects. Whether you're stumped on a math problem or need someone to proofread your essay, The Princeton Review has helpful tutors online 24/7. This makes it a great site that every student should bookmark .

After signing in to the site and entering your homework question, The Princeton Review will connect you with a tutor. From here, you can chat with your tutor and figure out how to fix your mistakes.

Keep in mind that The Princeton Review isn't just for high school students. The site also offers expert tutoring for college students in a variety of subjects.

And while The Princeton Review offers a free trial for its service, you'll have to pay from then on. For $40/month you can get access to one hour of tutoring. The price varies depending on how much time you need, and the tutoring plan you choose.

Although Chegg is known as one of the best sites to get cheap college textbooks , it also has a handy high school and college student homework help center. From subjects like biology, calculus, and even engineering, Chegg's tutoring service covers all your homework needs.

To get started, simply specify what exactly you need help with, and Chegg will match you with a tutor. Chegg tutors are available 24/7, so you can get help right when you need it.

Tutoring sessions can occur over audio, video, or text chats. In case you need visuals, your tutor can even use a live digital whiteboard to teach.

Fortunately, Chegg tutors are very affordable---you can get a one-time lesson over text chat for just $7. If you need more than one tutoring session, you can get a monthly subscription for $15. But just keep in mind that you'll have to pay $30/month for access to more subjects and video calls.

Wyzant has over 65,000 tutors who are experts in a number of different subjects. After you enter the subject you're struggling in, as well as your availability, you can start your search for an online tutor.

Each tutor's profile has a description of their expertise, so you can be sure you find the right match. Wyzant's tutors also have ratings and reviews from previous students, which gives you insight into the tutor's helpfulness.

Wyzant has an online tool made specifically for online tutoring sessions. This makes it easy to talk with your tutor, as well as grasp the concepts they're explaining.

As far as the price goes, it depends on the instructor you choose. Each tutor picks their own hourly wage, so you'll find a range of prices that's suitable for all budgets.

4.  TutorMe

TutorMe is an instant online tutoring service, and it says that it can connect you with a tutor in 30 seconds or less. It offers tutoring in over 300 subjects for all grade levels.

TutorMe also heavily screens its tutors, and only accepts applicants from some of the best universities around the world. On each tutor's profile, you can check out the tutor's education history, experience, and student reviews.

If you want a preview of a tutoring session, head to TutorMe's demo page . During your session, you'll get access to an interactive whiteboard, calculator, and code editor. You can also share files with your tutor through Google Docs, or you can upload them directly to the site.

When it comes to paying for the service, you have two options---you can either pay a monthly subscription price or pay by the minute. For ongoing tutoring, you can pay $69 for two hours of tutoring per month. But if you need to ask a quick question, you can pay $1 per minute.

5.  Varsity Tutors

Varsity Tutors offer school homework help for students of all ages. Whether you're a parent looking for a tutor for your elementary school student, or you're a college student studying trigonometry, Varsity Tutors can give you the help you need.

Varsity Tutors ensure that each instructor passes a background check, goes through an interview process, and even participates in simulations. This guarantees a quality learning experience.

In addition to offering large and small group classes, Varsity Tutors also provides one-on-one tutoring sessions. The site matches you with the best tutor for the subject you need help with and tailors the session to suit your needs.

One-on-one tutoring sessions start at $60/hour. You'll have to fill out an inquiry form to find out a more personalized price.

Skooli is another fantastic site for homework help, as it offers tutoring for students in kindergarten through college. In addition, it provides help in a long list of subjects, making it easy to find a tutor who has the right answers to your questions.

To preview what Skooli's online classroom looks like, head to its demo page . Here, you can play around with the site's whiteboard and text tools. You can also see how the video call with your instructor will look on the page.

You can begin your tutoring session by entering a question you're struggling with on the front page of the site. After that, you'll need to enter the subject you need help with, as well as your grade. Skooli can then match you with the best tutor for your needs.

Skooli offers competitive pricing for its one-on-one tutoring sessions. It uses a pay as you go pricing, so you'll end up paying 82 cents/minute.

Improve Your Grades With Online Homework Help

When you find yourself struggling in school, it never hurts to get some extra help. These online tutoring sites can definitely come in handy when you're working on an important assignment, or even when you're preparing for a test.

Before you start your online tutoring session, you'll want to make sure you have a reliable laptop or computer. Fortunately, you can always find student discounts on laptops if you're on a budget.

• Share full article

Advertisement

Supported by

Adolescence

How to Help a Teen Out of a Homework Hole

The more students fall behind in the pandemic, the less likely they are to feel that they can catch up.

By Lisa Damour

Pandemic school is taking its toll on students, especially teens. A recent study , conducted by NBC News and Challenge Success, a nonprofit affiliated with the Stanford Graduate School of Education, found that 50 percent more kids in high school report feeling disengaged from school this year than last. In December, Education Week reported that schools were seeing “ dramatic increases in the number of failing or near-failing grades ” on report cards.

A major symptom of school disengagement is not turning in homework, a problem that can easily snowball. The further students fall behind, the more overwhelmed they often become and the less likely they are to feel that they can catch up .

The good news is that finding out about missing homework is a first step to helping kids get back on track. You just need to keep a few considerations in mind.

Empathy will get you further than anger

At this point in the pandemic, finding out that your child has let schoolwork slide may trigger an angry response. Everyone is worn down by the demands of pandemic life and many parents are already operating on their last nerve . Getting mad, however, is likely to cause kids to adopt a defensive or minimizing stance. Instead, try to be compassionate. What students who have fallen behind need most are problem-solving partners who want to understand what they are going through.

If you’re having trouble summoning your empathy, bear in mind that there are many good reasons a student could fall off pace this year. For instance, Ned Johnson, a professional tutor and co-author of the book “The Self-Driven Child,” noted that most teens have very little experience managing email, which is now a main source of information for those in remote or hybrid arrangements. “We know how overwhelmed we as adults are by email. Imagine not being comfortable with it, and then suddenly getting everything — from Zoom links to assignments — that way.”

Some students learning remotely may also have unreliable broadband service; others may miss key information because their attention is split between the teacher on the screen and distractions at home.

“Many adults are having the exact same issues,” said Ellen Braaten, a psychologist and the executive director of the Learning and Emotional Assessment Program at Massachusetts General Hospital. “They are really productive when they can physically be at work, but may find themselves less attentive in the unstructured environment of working from home.”

Even teens who are attending school in person and using familiar systems for tracking assignments may be having a hard time managing their work now. The mental skills that help us stay organized — commonly called executive functioning — are being undermined by psychological stress, which is unusually high among today’s teens.

Work together to diagnose the problem

Finding out that your child is in academic trouble can tempt you to jump to solutions. It’s best, however, to properly diagnose the problem before trying to address it. Liz Katz, assistant head for school partnership at One Schoolhouse, an online supplemental school, suggested looking into the reasons students fall behind at school. Some don’t know what they’re supposed to be doing, others know and aren’t doing it, and still others “are doing their best and just can’t meet expectations.”

As you talk with a teenager about where things have gone off the rails, be kind, curious and collaborative. “This isn’t about you being in trouble or getting off the hook,” you might say. “It’s simply about figuring out what’s going wrong so we can solve the right problem.”

Students who are struggling to keep track of what’s expected of them may need to reach out to their teachers, either for clarification about specific assignments or for general guidance on where and when they should be looking for information about homework. As a parent or caregiver, you can coach them on how to approach their instructors. Start by pointing out that teachers are almost always eager to lend support to students who seek it. You can also offer to give feedback on a draft email to an instructor explaining where the student got lost and what they have already tried.

“For many students, the ability to ask for help is not fully formed,” said Ms. Katz, “or it can feel like an admission that they’ve done something wrong. Normalizing and praising self-advocacy is so important.”

For students who know what they’re supposed to do but aren’t doing it, other approaches make sense. They may be having a hard time sustaining motivation and need support on that front , or they may be swamped with commitments, such as caring for younger siblings, that make it impossible to complete their schoolwork. Here, parents and students will want to work together to make a realistic plan for addressing the biggest priorities in light of these circumstances. This might mean coming to an agreement about where the teen’s energies should be directed or exploring what additional support might be put in place.

In some cases, academic problems may be linked to issues with mental health. If there’s a question of whether a student is suffering from depression or anxiety; using drugs; or exhibiting any other significant emotional or behavioral concern, check in with the school counselor or family doctor for a proper assessment. Treatment should always take precedence over schoolwork. “If you’re depressed,” Dr. Braaten said, “no amount of executive function coaching is going to help, because that’s not the issue.”

Some students have subtle learning or attention disorders that became an issue only when school went online. Under regular conditions, said Mr. Johnson, instructors can notice when a student is tuning out and bring back his or her attention in a gentle way. Unfortunately, “Teachers really can’t do that effectively on Zoom.” If this is a concern, parents should consider checking in with teachers or their school’s learning support staff to get their read on the problem and advice for how to move forward.

Step back to see the big picture

“We all need to be easier on ourselves,” Dr. Braaten said, “and to sort through what students really need to do and what they don’t.” Well-meaning parents might hope to motivate students by emphasizing the importance of high grades, but that can make it harder for kids to recover from a substantial setback.

As students start to work their way back, give some thought to how comprehensive their turnaround needs to be. Do they really need to get equally high grades in every class? Could they instead direct their energy toward getting square with the courses they care about most? Could they work with their teachers to agree upon trimmed-down assignments for partial credit? According to Mr. Johnson, “Lowering expectations, for now , can actually help kids to get back on track.”

Dr. Braaten also noted that much of what students gain from school is not about content, but about learning how to solve problems. Engaging teens in constructive conversations to figure out how they fell behind can be an important lesson unto itself. “Having a 16-year-old who understands, ‘When I’m stressed, this is how I react,’” says Dr. Braaten, “may put us further ahead in the long run.”

In any school year, students learn a great deal beyond academic content. This year, more than most, might be one where students gain a deep understanding of how they respond when feeling overwhelmed and how to ask for help or rebound from setbacks — lessons that they will draw on long after the pandemic is gone.

Lisa Damour is a psychologist and the author of the New York Times best sellers “Untangled” and “Under Pressure.” Dr. Damour also co-hosts the podcast “Ask Lisa: The Psychology of Parenting.” More about Lisa Damour

9 Best Homework Help Websites

July 22, 2023

When I was in high school, resources for extra homework help weren’t exactly abundant. If you were struggling with a Shakespeare sonnet, you could always run to the bookstore and pick up a CliffNotes guide. SparkNotes was also gaining in popularity. But these early homework help resources had limited catalogs and were focused primarily on literature. Today, I imagine students suffer from the opposite problem—having too many choices when it comes to homework help websites. When the options are seemingly endless, knowing what to look out for takes on an added importance. Below, I’ll go through a list of 9 stand-out homework help websites and briefly discuss what makes them worth a visit.

Homework Help Websites – The Basics

The best homework help websites do more than just spit out an answer to that tricky math problem. They actually help students learn the material. Common features of homework help websites are educational videos and lectures, practice tests and quizzes, study tools like flashcards, and Q&As with experts. Many sites offer features that allow students to ask specific questions and get real-time feedback. There are also a number of services that offer one-on-one tutoring. Some homework help sites are free, while others require a paid subscription.

1) Khan Academy

Khan Academy is an amazing resource for students of all ages. It’s free, and it really is an academy—it offers full courses in a wide array of subjects, from pre-K math to high school physics. The courses consist of readings, video lectures, practice exercises, and quizzes. The breadth of material is impressive. In math alone, I see course listings for Algebra 1 and 2, Geometry, Trigonometry, Precalculus, Statistics, Multivariable calculus—you get the idea. Khan Academy also offers a wide variety of AP courses, state-specific curricula, test-prep programs, and life skill courses, like personal finance.

It’s important to note that Khan Academy isn’t a one-on-one tutoring platform. But because of their extensive library of material, the search function is especially powerful. Try it out. I did a search for argumentative essay help, and found a comprehensive guide to writing argumentative essays that was a part of a larger writing course.

Chegg is a paid homework help service. Unlike Khan Academy, Chegg isn’t built around specific courses. Rather, it offers a variety of homework-support resources. Among those resources are plagiarism and grammar checkers, a proofreading service, and a “math solver”, which allows students to enter a problem and get back both a solution and a detailed step-by-step explanation of how the problem was solved. Perhaps the most powerful tool Chegg offers is its “Expert Q&A” feature. This service allows students to take a picture of their homework problem, upload it to the site, and get a detailed response in return. Chegg’s emphasis on process and explanation make it a valuable educational resource for students—not just a way to get a quick answer.

Best Homework Help Websites (Continued)

Quizlet is a well-known and worthwhile study resource. It offers a variety of courses, and it also has an expert-response feature. But Quizlet’s best feature, in my option, is the flashcards tool. Students can create their own digital decks of cards and practice them on Quizlet—just like an old fashion set of index cards. I had a ton of success using Quizlet’s flash card feature to help me memorize words for my foreign language requirement in college. It’s a simple but powerful tool. Although often maligned as a learning method, rote rehearsal and spaced repetition are effective ways to encode information . Quizlet’s flashcard feature is a great way to put those techniques into practice.

4) Socratic

is an AI-powered homework support app that allows students to type or take pictures of questions and receive solutions right away. Since it works with AI, it relies on the web’s vast stores of accumulated knowledge—you’re not interacting with a human tutor. Nonetheless, I found it to be an extremely helpful tool. I tried it out first using a specific math problem. In just a few seconds I was provided with the solution and an explainer with relevant formulas, plus a graphic to help visualize the underlying logic. There were also suggested links to additional resources. For example, when I asked Socratic to explain how the German genitive case works, it suggested a YouTube video and a number of articles from blogs and other language-learning sites.

Since Socratic doesn’t feature courses or one-on-one tutoring support, I wouldn’t lean on it if I were really struggling in a particular class. But as a tool to check your work, make sure you’re on the right track, and become aware of additional resources, it’s worth a download.

5) Photomath

Photomath is, as you might have guessed, a site for math homework help. Like other homework help websites, Photomath allows students to take a picture of a problem and receive an instant, step-by-step solution. Included along with the solution is an explanation of relevant concepts and formulas, plus videos covering mathematical concepts. Photomath does offer a few basic courses, too. So if in addition to homework-specific help you want to brush up on the basics, they’ve got you covered in arithmetic, algebra, and calculus crash courses.

6) Studypool

Studypool is a paid homework support service that provides solutions to specific questions. Studypool offers support in all the major subjects, with a particular emphasis on science. Students can ask questions on everything from anatomy to physics. Like other services, students upload their exact questions or problems directly to the site. But Studypool’s payment model is a bit different: instead of paying for tutoring time or a monthly subscription, students pay for solutions to each question they submit. When a student submits a question, tutors submit bids to answer them. The student then can select which tutor/price option works best. After students select the price and tutor they want, they’re connected with the tutor and given the solution and explanation via messenger.

The draw of Studypool is that it gives students access to real (i.e., human) tutors who are experts in their field. The downside is that pricing isn’t transparent, and students pay per question.

7) College Info Geek

College Info Geek is the study-support website that I wish I knew about when I was in high school and college (they didn’t pay me to write that, I swear). The site focuses not on specific courses or questions, but on how to become a more effective learner. Here it’s all about “learning how to learn”—study tips, memorization and note-taking techniques, and much more. The articles are well-researched, clearly-communicated, practical, and comprehensive. For example, the article on how to improve your memory includes a breakdown of the different types of memory processes, memorization techniques, and even a discussion of how nutrition affects memory. College Info Geek is a great resource for everyone, not just high school and college students.

8) SparkNotes

Yes, Sparknotes made the list! The site offers lessons in a whole bunch of subjects—biology, chemistry, computer science, history, philosophy, math—but its specialty is literature. SparkNotes provides summaries and analyses of novels, short stories, poetry, and non-fiction, from The Canterbury Tales to Toni Morrison, Saul Bellow, and Junot Diaz. SparkNotes breaks down books into sub-sections and provides synopses and analyses for each section. There are also separate pages for character breakdowns, discussions of themes and motifs, and explanations of important quotes. I’d caution against using SparkNotes if you’re trying to “hack” a novel or poem and get simple answers about what it “means.” But as a way to supplement your own understanding and interpretation, it’s a great resource. Shmoop is also worth checking out for extra support in literature, poetry, mythology, and the history of literary movements.

9) Grammarly

I’m not sure if Grammarly is an obvious or unexpected choice to round out the list. Either way, it deserves a mention here. Grammarly is a writing tool. It checks and suggests corrections for incorrectly spelled words and misused punctuation. But Grammarly also scans and corrects for things like clarity and vocab usage. It flags sentences that are vague, or overly wordy, and alerts you if you’re using that flashy vocab word incorrectly. It even gives suggestions if it thinks your writing is a bit bland. I don’t see Grammarly as a crutch, but rather as a tool. It can help you master those pesky recurring grammar and usage issues. Always mix up effect and affect? Grammarly will continue to course correct until you’ve got it down yourself.

Homework Help Websites – Final Thoughts

None of the above homework help websites should be seen as a panacea. Each has benefits and drawbacks, strengths and weak points. The list is far from exhaustive. And the sites don’t have to be used in isolation. Try a few out, mix and match. College Info Geek is an excellent supplement to any study regimen. Socratic can be used as a tool to check answers for math homework, and at the same time you can use Grammarly to describe your problem to a tutor on Chegg. At their best, these sites are more than quick fixes to stubborn homework problems—they’re aids to genuine learning.

Additional Resources

You should also check out College Transitions’ “ High School Success ” blogs for help with a number of common high school assignments, including:

• Lord of the Flies Summary & Analysis 
• The Great Gatsby and The American Dream
• Analysis of Hamlet’s “To be or not to be” Speech
• Robert Frost’s Road Not Taken Analysis 
• High School Success

Dane Gebauer

Dane Gebauer is a writer and teacher living in Miami, FL. He received his MFA in fiction from Columbia University, and his writing has appeared in Complex Magazine and Sinking City Review .

• 2-Year Colleges
• Application Strategies
• Best Colleges by Major
• Best Colleges by State
• Big Picture
• Career & Personality Assessment
• College Essay
• College Search/Knowledge
• College Success
• Costs & Financial Aid
• Dental School Admissions
• Extracurricular Activities
• Graduate School Admissions
• High Schools
• Law School Admissions
• Medical School Admissions
• Navigating the Admissions Process
• Online Learning
• Private High School Spotlight
• Summer Program Spotlight
• Summer Programs
• Test Prep Provider Spotlight

“Innovative and invaluable…use this book as your college lifeline.”

— Lynn O'Shaughnessy

Nationally Recognized College Expert

College Planning in Your Inbox

Join our information-packed monthly newsletter.

I am a... Student Student Parent Counselor Educator Other First Name Last Name Email Address Zip Code Area of Interest Business Computer Science Engineering Fine/Performing Arts Humanities Mathematics STEM Pre-Med Psychology Social Studies/Sciences Submit

Choose Your Test

Sat / act prep online guides and tips, the 5 best homework help apps you can use.

General Education

We know that homework can be a real drag. It’s time-consuming, and can be difficult to complete all on your own. So, what can you do if you’re struggling?

You might try looking online or in the app store! If you’ve already looked around you probably know that there are tons of homework sites for students and homework apps out there that all say they can help you improve your grades and pass your classes. But, can you trust them? And what are the best apps for homework help?

Below, we answer these questions and more about homework help apps–free and paid . We’ll go over: 

• The basics of homework help apps
• The cost of homework help apps
• The five best apps for homework help
• The pros and cons of using apps that help you with homework 
• The line between “learning” and “cheating” when using apps that help you with homework
• Tips for getting the most out of homework sites for students 

So let’s jump in!

The Basics About Apps that Help You With Homework–Free and Paid

The bottom line is, homework sites and homework apps are intended to help you complete your take-home assignments successfully. They provide assistance that ranges from answering questions you submit through a portal all the way to one-on-one tutoring, depending on the help you need! 

The big plus for both homework help apps and websites is that they usually offer help on-demand. So if you can’t make it to after school tutoring, or if you're studying late into the night (it happens!), you can still access the help you need! 

If you’re specifically looking for an answer to the question: “what is the best homework help website ?,” you can check out our article on those here! [LINK COMING SOON]

What’s the Difference Between a Homework Help Website and an App?

So if they’re both designed to give you a little boost with your take-home assignments, what makes homework apps and websites different from one another? First off, homework help websites are optimized to be used on a desktop, while apps are designed to be run natively on mobile devices. So depending on which devices you have access to, you may decide to use a website instead of an app…or vice versa! 

The other big difference between homework help apps and websites is that they sometimes offer different features. For instance, with the Photomath app, you’ll be able to submit photos of math problems instead of having to type everything out, which is easier to do by using an app on your phone. 

If you’re trying to decide whether to go with a website or app, the good news is that you may not have to. Some homework help websites also have companion apps, so you can have the best of both worlds!

What Makes a Homework Help App Worth Using

Apps that help you with homework should ideally help you actually learn the material you’re struggling with, and/or help you turn in your work on time. Most of the best apps for homework help allow you to ask questions and provide answers and explanations almost immediately. And like we mentioned earlier, many of these apps let you send a picture of a question or problem instead of writing it all out.

But homework help apps offer more than just quick answers and explanations for your assignment questions. They also offer things like educational videos, lectures, tutorials, practice tests and quizzes, math solving tools, proofreading services, and even Q&A with experts.

And the best part is, most offer these services 24/7! 

What You Should Look Out For

When it comes to homework help, there are lots–and we mean lots –of apps willing to prey on desperate students. Before you download any apps (and especially before you pay to sign up for any services), read reviews of the app to ensure you’re working with a legitimate company. 

Keep in mind: the more a company advertises help that seems like cheating, the more likely it is to be a scam. Actual subject matter experts aren’t likely to work with those companies. Remember, the best apps for homework help are going to help you learn the concepts needed to successfully complete your homework on your own. 

If you’re not sure if an app is legitimate, you can also check to see if the app has an honor code about using their services ethically , like this one from Brainly. (We’ll go over the difference between “homework help” and “cheating” in more detail a little later!) 

How Expensive Are Apps That Help You With Homework?

A word to the wise: just because a homework help app costs money doesn’t mean it’s a good service. And, just because a homework help app is free doesn’t mean the help isn’t high quality. To find the best apps, you have to take a close look at the quality and types of information they provide! 

Most of the apps out there allow you to download them for free, and provide at least some free services–such as a couple of free questions and answers. Additional services or subscriptions are then charged as in-app purchases. When it comes to in-app purchases and subscriptions for homework help, the prices vary depending on the amount of services you want to subscribe to. Subscriptions can cost anywhere from $2 to around $60 dollars per month, with the most expensive app subscriptions including some tutoring (which is usually only available through homework help websites.)

The 5 Best Apps for Homework Help

Okay, now that you’re up to speed on what these apps are and how they can help you, we’ll run you through the best five apps you can use. 

Keep in mind that even though we recommend all of these apps, they tend to excel at different things. We’ve broken these apps into categories so that you can pick the best one for your needs! 

Best Free Homework Help App: Khan Academy

• Price: Free!
• Best for: Practicing tough material 

While there are lots of free homework help apps out there, this is our favorite because it actually supports learning, rather than just providing answers. The Khan Academy app works like the website, and offers the same services. It’s full of information and can be personalized to suit your educational needs. 

After you download the app, you choose which courses you need to study, and Khan Academy sets up a personal dashboard of instructional videos, practice exercises, and quizzes –with both correct and incorrect answer explanations–so you can learn at your own pace. 

As an added bonus, it covers more course topics than many other homework help apps, including several AP classes.

Best Paid Homework Help App: Brainly

• Price: $18 for a 6 month subscription, $24 for a year 
• Best for: 24/7 homework assistance 

Brainly is free to download and allows you to type in questions (or snap a pic) and get answers and explanations from both fellow students and teachers. Plus, subject matter experts and moderators verify answers daily, so you know you’re getting quality solutions! The downside is that you’re limited to two free answers per question and have to watch ads for more if you don’t pay for a subscription. 

That said, their subscription fees average around only $2 per month, making this a particularly affordable option if you’re looking for homework help on a budget. Brainly subscriptions not only cover unlimited answers and explanations on a wide variety of school subjects (including Art and World Languages which aren’t always included in other apps), they also provide tutoring in Math and Physics!

Best App for Math Homework Help: Photomath

• Price: Free (or up to $59.99 per year for premium services) 
• Best for: Explaining solutions to math problems

This app allows you to take a picture of a math problem, and instantly pulls up a step-by-step solution, as well as a detailed explanation of the concept. Photomath subscription services also include animated videos that break down mathematical concepts–all the way up to advanced Calculus!--to help you better understand and remember them. 

The basic textbook solution service is free, but for an additional fee you can get extra study tools, access to one-on-one tutoring, and additional strategies for solving common math problems.

Best App for STEM and English Homework Help: Studypool

• Price: Varies; you’ll pay for each question you submit
• Best for: Science and English homework help in one app

When it comes to apps for science and English homework help, there aren’t lots of great resources out there, much less out there all in one place. While Grammarly is a good service for proofreading, SparkNotes has some decent summaries, and Khan Academy covers science, the best of the bunch if you need help with both subjects Studypool. Instead of using lots of different apps for STEM and English help, they’re combined together here! But while Studypool has great reviews, there are some downsides as well. 

The Studypool Q&A model is a little different than other homework help apps. After you create a free account, you ask questions, and tutors submit bids to answer them. You’ll be able to select the tutor–and price point–that works for you, then you’ll pay to have your homework question answered. You can also pay a small fee to access thousands of notes, lectures, and other documents that top tutors have uploaded.  

The downside to Studypool is that the pricing is not transparent . There’s no way to plan for how much your homework help will cost, especially if you have lots of questions! It’s also not clear how they choose their tutors, so you’ll need to be careful when you decide who you’d like to answer your homework questions. That said, if you only need a few questions answered per month, this could be cheaper than other monthly subscription services.

Best Homework Scheduling App: MyStudyLife

• Best for: Keeping track of your schedule and deadlines

If the reason you’re looking for homework help is less about finding answers to questions and more about needing assistance with organization and time-management , MyStudyLife is a great option. This is a cross-platform planner that allows you to store your class schedule, upcoming tests, and homework assignments in the cloud so you can access it all wherever you are, and on any device. 

One of the unique things about it is that it easily works for daily or weekly rotating class schedules that can get confusing, helping you keep track of when you need to finish your homework based on your changing schedule. You can get reminders for upcoming classes and assignments as well as past-due homework and any revisions you may need to do. It can even let you know when you need to start studying for a big test!

Best of all, you can actually schedule assignments and study sessions for multiple nights, and specify how much of the task you got done each night. That way you’ll know how much additional time you’ll need to spend! 

While homework apps might seem like magic, it's important to weigh the pros and cons before you commit to one. 

What Are the Pros and Cons of Using Homework Help Apps?

Homework help apps can be useful tools if you’re struggling in any of your classes. But there are a few problems you might run into if you don’t use them ethically and responsibly. 

Below we’ll cover some of the good and the not-so-good parts of using homework help apps to complete your take-home assignments.

3 Pros of Using Homework Help Apps

Let’s start with the pros of using apps for homework help.

Pro 1: All-Around Better Grades

This is undeniably the main pro and the reason apps that help you with homework are so popular with students. Not only can you potentially get better grades on individual assignments, because they help you learn tricky concepts, you can also earn better grades overall .

Just keep in mind that if you want better grades you have to actually learn the material you’re studying, not just find easy answers. So be sure to use apps that provide good explanations . That way you’ll have the mental tools you need to succeed on your class exams and on standardized tests for college. 

Pro 2: Flexibility

It’s hard to beat homework help that you can access anywhere you are from your mobile device. You can also get assistance whenever you need it since the best apps offer their services 24/7. This is especially useful for students who need to study during hours when their free school resources aren’t available because of extracurriculars, jobs, or family obligations. 

If you need convenient and flexible homework help or tutoring services to fit your schedule, apps can be your go-to resource. 

Pro 3: Individualized Learning

Sometimes the kind of learner you are doesn’t match your teacher’s style of teaching. Or maybe the pace of a class is a little too fast or too slow for your tastes. Homework apps can help by allowing you to learn at your own speed and in ways that support your own learning style. 

You can use their features, such as educational videos, 24/7 conversations with experts and peers, and tutorials to review concepts you may have forgotten. These apps can also let you dive deeper into topics or subjects you enjoy! With homework help apps, you get to choose what you need to learn and how you learn it.

3 Cons of Using Homework Help Apps

Next, let’s look at the cons of homework help apps. 

Con 1: Questionable Info 

Unfortunately there are lots of less-than-reliable homework help apps out there. They might not hire actual experts in their fields to provide answers and create study tools, or they rely on user-submitted answers that they don’t verify. In those cases, you might not be getting the accurate, thorough, and up-to-date answers you need to really learn.

In addition to the possibility of running into plain-old wrong answers, even the best apps sometimes just won’t have a specific answer you need. This could be because you’re enrolled in an advanced class the app doesn’t really cover or because of the algorithm or chatbot a particular app uses. 

If that’s the case , your best bet will likely be to talk to your teacher or a free tutor (if your school provides them) to get help answering your question.

Con 2: Information Overload

While having tons of information at your fingertips can be helpful, the sheer amount and variety of videos, tutorials, expert answers, and resources a homework app provides can be overwhelming . It’s also easy to get sucked into a research rabbit-hole where you learn new things but don’t actually get your work done. This is especially true for students who tend to be easily distracted.

Additionally, you may be learning to do things differently than you’ve learned them in class , which could cause problems. For example, if your math teacher asks you to solve a problem one way, but you learned to do it differently through an app, you could get confused come test time! 

Con 3: Cutting Corners

There are a lot of apps out there that bill themselves as “the best app for cheating.” They allow users to type in a question or take a picture, then instantly provide an answer without any explanation of the material. Many of these are scams or provide unreliable answers, but not all. Some apps are legitimate and provide quick and easy answers that could allow you to do your whole homework assignment in minutes. 

The problem is that even though taking shortcuts on homework to save time is tempting, it can keep you from really learning. The point of practicing concepts and skills is so you develop them and can access them whenever you need to. This is especially true if skills build on one another, like in a math or English class. 

Sometimes s truggling with an assignment or question, trying, failing, then trying again until you succeed can help you learn difficult material. If you don’t let yourself really try, and instead take too many shortcuts, you may end up behind.

When Does “Help” Become “Cheating”?

When it comes to using homework help apps, sometimes the difference between “help” and “cheating” is really clear. For example, if you’re using an app to get answers while you’re taking a test, that’s definitely cheating . But what if you’re struggling with a math problem and need to know the correct answer so you can work backwards to learn the process? Is that “cheating” or is it “help?” 

The truth is, not everyone agrees on when “help” crosses the line into “cheating .” If you’re not sure, you can always check with your teacher to see what they think about a particular type of help you want to get. That said, a general rule of thumb to keep in mind is to make sure that the assignment you turn in for credit is authentically yours . It needs to demonstrate your own thoughts and your own current abilities. Remember: the point of every homework assignment is to 1) help you learn something, and 2) show what you’ve learned. 

So if you’re relying on an app to do all of the work for you, there’s a good chance using it might constitute cheating. 

Think of it this way: say you’re studying for an upcoming math test, and are stumped by a few of the questions on the study guide. Even though you’ve tried and tried, you can’t seem to get the right answer because you can’t remember the steps to take. Using an app to explain the steps as you’re studying is “help.” Using the app to get answers so you can make a good homework grade is “cheating.” 

The same is true for other subjects: brainstorming essay ideas with others or looking online for inspiration is “help” as long as you write the essay yourself. Having someone read it and give you feedback about what you need to change is also “help,” provided you’re the one that makes the changes later. 

But copying all or part of an essay you find online or having someone write (or rewrite) the whole thing for you would be “cheating.” Ultimately, if you’re not generating your own work or learning to produce your own answers, it’s probably cheating. 

5 Tips for Finding the Best Homework Help App for You

If you’re serious about using a homework help app, our expert tips can help you pick one that’s right for you and your budget!

#1: Decide What Tools You Need to Succeed 

While most apps offer Q&A services, the best apps provide study tools to help you learn the material you need to learn . 

For instance, if you’re a visual learner, you might need an app that provides lots of videos. If you learn best by reading, an app that provides lots of in-depth written resources might be better for you. Or, if you learn best by actually doing things, look for an app that provides practice tests and quizzes, along with explanations for correct and incorrect answers.

Before committing to an app, take a quick survey of the tools they offer users to make sure they meet your unique learning needs. 

#2: Decide Which Subjects You Need to Study

Not all homework apps are created equal. One might provide tutoring in math and science, but no proofreading services to help you with writing. Another might be perfect for American History, but what you really need help with is your Spanish class. So, before you can decide which app is best for you, make sure to create a list of the subjects you need the most help in.

#3: Do Your Research

As we’ve said before, there are tons of homework apps in the app store to choose from, and the most important thing you can do is research what they offer students. Services, prices for those services, and subjects that the apps cover all vary, so it’s important that you look into your options. We’ve compiled our all-around favorite (and reliable) apps here, but it’s still a good idea to do your own research to find out what might meet your individual needs best.

#4: Learn Why People Like and Dislike the App

Maybe you’ve heard the phrase “buyer beware?” It means that the person buying something should check for quality before actually handing over their money. This applies to both free and paid homework apps, but especially those that actually cost money.

Before you download anything, be sure to read the user reviews . While all apps will have both positive and negative reviews, you want to look for one that has more positive than negative. And if you’re considering paying for a service, be sure that users think it’s worth the price overall!

#5: Budget Yourself

If you find a paid app that provides the learning tools you need, covers the subjects you need to study, and that has good reviews overall, set a budget to pay for it before you hit that “install” button. The costs for paid homework apps vary, and especially if you’re using one that requires you to pay for individual questions or services, the prices can add up quickly. So make sure there’s money for it in your budget before you commit!

What’s Next?

If you’re not quite sure why you’re struggling with homework, or want to know how you can do your homework as quickly as possible , check out this list of 15 expert homework tips and tricks to make your life a little bit easier!

Effective studying requires the right balance of concentration, understanding, retention and rest. So if you need help striking that balance, read these 16 tips for better study habits in both the short and long-term.

Getting good grades is about more than just answering questions correctly on your assignments. It also requires planning ahead and participation. In this article we cover the academic survival strategies that can help you throughout high school .

Ashley Sufflé Robinson has a Ph.D. in 19th Century English Literature. As a content writer for PrepScholar, Ashley is passionate about giving college-bound students the in-depth information they need to get into the school of their dreams.

Student and Parent Forum

Our new student and parent forum, at ExpertHub.PrepScholar.com , allow you to interact with your peers and the PrepScholar staff. See how other students and parents are navigating high school, college, and the college admissions process. Ask questions; get answers.

Ask a Question Below

Have any questions about this article or other topics? Ask below and we'll reply!

Improve With Our Famous Guides

• For All Students

The 5 Strategies You Must Be Using to Improve 160+ SAT Points

How to Get a Perfect 1600, by a Perfect Scorer

Series: How to Get 800 on Each SAT Section:

Score 800 on SAT Math

Score 800 on SAT Reading

Score 800 on SAT Writing

Series: How to Get to 600 on Each SAT Section:

Score 600 on SAT Math

Score 600 on SAT Reading

Score 600 on SAT Writing

Free Complete Official SAT Practice Tests

What SAT Target Score Should You Be Aiming For?

15 Strategies to Improve Your SAT Essay

The 5 Strategies You Must Be Using to Improve 4+ ACT Points

How to Get a Perfect 36 ACT, by a Perfect Scorer

Series: How to Get 36 on Each ACT Section:

36 on ACT English

36 on ACT Math

36 on ACT Reading

36 on ACT Science

Series: How to Get to 24 on Each ACT Section:

24 on ACT English

24 on ACT Math

24 on ACT Reading

24 on ACT Science

What ACT target score should you be aiming for?

ACT Vocabulary You Must Know

ACT Writing: 15 Tips to Raise Your Essay Score

How to Get Into Harvard and the Ivy League

How to Get a Perfect 4.0 GPA

How to Write an Amazing College Essay

What Exactly Are Colleges Looking For?

Is the ACT easier than the SAT? A Comprehensive Guide

Should you retake your SAT or ACT?

When should you take the SAT or ACT?

Stay Informed

Get the latest articles and test prep tips!

Looking for Graduate School Test Prep?

Check out our top-rated graduate blogs here:

GRE Online Prep Blog

GMAT Online Prep Blog

TOEFL Online Prep Blog

Holly R. "I am absolutely overjoyed and cannot thank you enough for helping me!”

• wish + would (wouldn’t) — Exercise 2
• 1. It annoys me that Monique doesn’t help me with my homework. I wish Monique would help me with my homework.
• 2. It annoys me that Robin has so many strange acquaintances. I wish Robin wouldn’t have so many strange acquaintances.
• 3. It annoys me that Stuart makes so many spelling mistakes in his messages. I wish Stuart wouldn’t make so many spelling mistakes in his messages.
• 4. It annoys me that you don’t know how to explain this rule. I wish you would know how to explain this rule.
• 5. It annoys me that my sister spends a lot of time on the Internet. I wish my sister wouldn’t spend a lot of time on the Internet.
• 6. It annoys me that you refuse to play chess with me. I wish you wouldn’t refuse to play chess with me.
• 7. It annoys me that Myra’s clothes are old-fashioned. I wish Myra’s clothes wouldn’t be old-fashioned.
• 8. It annoys me that Rosie is late for work. I wish Rosie wouldn’t be late for work.
• 9. It annoys me that you interrupt me. I wish you wouldn’t interrupt me.
• 10. It annoys me that your friends are so arrogant. I wish your friends wouldn’t be so arrogant.
• wish + Past Perfect — Exercise 1
• wish + Past Perfect — Exercise 2
• wish + Past Simple or Past Perfect — Exercise 1
• wish + Past Simple or Past Perfect — Exercise 2
• wish + would (wouldn’t) — Exercise 1

• Newsletters
• Account Activating this button will toggle the display of additional content Account Sign out

Am I Supposed to Be More Involved in My Child’s Education?

Care and Feeding is Slate’s parenting advice column. In addition to our traditional advice, every Thursday we feature an assortment of teachers from across the country answering your education questions. Have a question for our teachers? Email [email protected] or post it in the  Slate Parenting Facebook group .

I have been wondering this since the early days of Zoom kindergarten (when our oldest started school). How much involvement do teachers want from parents at home? We’re not delinquent parents, but we are pretty hands-off when it comes to school. We engage our kid in activities, he excels in math, we read to all the kids daily (and have since infancy), but we don’t make sure he’s doing assignments or sit down by his side to walk him through a homework sheet. (Obviously if has a question we help him!)

I just remember my parents being very hands-off throughout my entire education, like they looked at my report card and that was the extent of it (granted I usually brought home A’s and didn’t give them trouble) but they never asked me what my homework was and sat me down to do it. I guess my question is, how hands-off is too hands-off?

Obviously no one likes a helicopter parent, but there’s probably a big gray area and I don’t know where I should fall in there. I don’t want to neglect their schooling but also isn’t the point of school to learn to do things yourself? When I see how friends help their kids with schoolwork and organization it makes me feel like I’m neglecting my kids. One time this year the teacher sent a message saying our son wasn’t completing phonics worksheets in school and she was sending them home with him, and we made sure he completed them, but that’s been about it. Thanks!!

—Too Hands-Off?

I don’t think there is any right or wrong answer here. I believe if your involvement is working for your child and your family then I wouldn’t change a thing. To say parental involvement is a grey area is an understatement. As a second-grade teacher, I’ve had parents request to basically serve as a teaching assistant, and parents with whom I interact 2-3 times a year. Every family’s philosophy here is different and most teachers are usually happy to meet you where you are.

If your child is happy, performing well academically, and has no behavioral issues, I see no point in fixing what isn’t broken. That is, unless the teacher requests some additional help with special projects like classroom parties or events. The truth is that managing parental expectations can become almost as difficult as managing student needs. Personally, I have always appreciated parents who are supportive but distant. Meaning, they’re available to help when needed, but also give their children the space needed to develop a strong sense of academic independence.

—Mr. Hersey (elementary school teacher, Washington)

Slate needs your support right now. Sign up for Slate Plus to keep reading the advice you crave every week.

Our son is 15 and a high school freshman. He is very quiet (always has been), a good but reluctant student, and a nice kid with a good sense of humor. He also sees a therapist and is on medication for anxiety. Sometimes I think one of his goals is to get through each day with no attention being drawn to him.

He had a tough time schooling from home for the end of seventh grade and about half of eighth grade. He went back into school in March 2021 as soon as in-person was an option. I think he missed some key elements of middle school—learning to juggle different classes and teachers, for example. His transition to high school has been a bit bumpy but for the most part he is handling things well. However, he is very reluctant to speak up for himself. Every week or so, I sit down with him to look at the electronic gradebook which shows all of the tests, quizzes, assignments, etc. that have been graded for each of his classes. We started doing this with him in middle school because he had difficulty handing things in electronically and had many assignments marked as missing that he thought he had completed and handed in.

This year missing assignments have been less of an issue but haven’t completely disappeared. Last night, we discovered a missing biology assignment that he said he handed in. (Unlike most of his work, this was an assignment that was actually done on paper so there was no way for us to resubmit it electronically). He didn’t want to talk to his teacher about it—he hates having to assert himself in this way. So we suggested that he write the teacher an email, which he also was reluctant to do. He can’t articulate why he dreads this. Eventually, we helped him come up with the language for the email and he sent it.

My question: How do we help him feel more comfortable speaking up for himself? We are trying to let him handle more on his own but I’m wondering if there are any ways we can help him build up his confidence. When I went to parent-teacher conferences in the fall, most of his teachers seemed to have a good grasp of who he is and appreciated his quiet manner and attentiveness in class. Do most high school teachers try to track down missing assignments? Our son seems completely shocked whenever we find one listed.

—Soft Spoken

Dear Soft Spoken,

I think the only way for your son to become more comfortable asserting himself is to have more experience doing so. I’m glad that you had him send the email himself, with your support. I think that is a step in the right direction. You might also try role-playing with him, where he practices what he will say to his teacher. I suspect that his fear of speaking to his teacher is related to his anxiety, so it would be good for him to discuss this with his therapist as well.

I will also say that some of this trepidation may improve as he matures. Many students who lack the confidence to advocate for themselves in ninth grade are able to speak with a teacher independently by senior year.

In my experience, most teachers make a good faith effort to collect missing assignments from students. However, that depends on how busy and stressed out they are. Give how difficult things have been for the past two years, our stress levels are through the roof. And while I certainly hope that your son’s teachers will follow up with him when he’s missing something, advocating for himself is an important life skill that will serve him beyond high school.

I wish your son good luck!

—Ms. Holbrook (high school teacher, Texas)

I’m looking for book suggestions for my 13-year-old son—a VERY reluctant reader with some reading comprehension issues. The last book we read together (it works best for us if we take turns reading) was Ender’s Game , and before that Adventures of Zorro . He can handle fairly adult subject matter and doesn’t like things “dumbed down.” The only caveat is that it cannot be an advanced reading level. Some things he likes are fantasy like Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit and military history—ancient Romans, Ottoman Empire, Samurai, etc., as well as Star Wars , but we are open to all suggestions!

—Raising a Reluctant Reader

If he liked Ender’s Game, Orson Scott Card has of course published a bunch of other books. I don’t buy them new because I like to vote with my feet , but I’ll occasionally pick them up in thrift stores.

How about Isaac Asimov’s books? They’re generally interesting to high school kids but written at a reasonable level for middle school. His whole Foundation series might catch your son’s attention. Same goes for many Ursula K. Le Guin novels, such as Wizard of Earthsea or the Annals of the Western Shore trilogy. He’d probably enjoy Starship Troopers by Robert A. Heinlein. It has a pro-military tone typical of the publication era, which could catalyze some interesting discussions. Or what about Shogun by James Clavell? Ken Liu has a series called the Dandelion Dynasty and a book of short stories titled The Paper Menagerie . Come to think of it, short stories are often less intimidating to reluctant readers.

The other thing you might consider is classics like The Count of Monte Cristo —wait, hear me out. That book is enormous and can be cumbersome for even enthusiastic readers, but what if you read the graphic novel or watched the movie first? I’ve found that when I give a synopsis or show a movie version to my students (which I do with Romeo and Juliet , for example), they are much more able to digest the text.

Lastly, I don’t know if you guys have abandoned any books, but I’m a big proponent of doing that. It’s good practice in general but especially for reluctant readers. Avoid slogging. Give a book 40-50 pages, and then if he’s not on board, ask him if he wants to ditch it and try something else.

Regardless, you’re doing a great thing for your son by being invested in his reading—keep it up.

—Ms. Scott (high school teacher, North Carolina)

I have a son who is 11 (so theoretically sixth grade), who is accelerated a minimum of two years in each subject and therefore is counted as an eighth grader. However, he has missed…a lot of school due to illness. A minimum of 7 days in quarters 1-3, and now four weeks into Q4 he’s not attended 13 days of school. These are clearly defined illnesses (active Omicron and associated quarantine counted for 9 days for instance, local stomach bug for two or three days, allergies so bad to need a day off), and the school has been great about sending work home and he’s generally been great about doing it. His grades have suffered a little, but on the level of an A to a B+ in most cases.

Given all of this, how much would you worry? The school is very flexible and has no concerns so far, and is assuming he will be in a ninth grade curriculum for most subjects next year, but 30 days is a lot of school to miss, even if about half of that has been made up with some form of virtual instruction.

A secondary question: He tends to fly through his makeup work and gets far lower marks (C+) compared to anything he’s in class for (A). Any advice on getting him to slow down on his makeup work? We don’t care about the grades. We do care about him learning the material and not missing instruction if possible.

—Slow Down?

Dear Slow Down,

I would not worry about the missed days if he is learning the content and mastering the skills required to advance. It’s not ideal to miss school, of course, but at your son’s age, a great deal of learning can be done independently. The real loss is likely in his opportunity to collaborate with peers, negotiate friendships, resolve conflict, and manage his relationships with teachers, coaches, etc. These are the skills that make in-person school so very important, even when a student is capable of mastering much of the content independently. But these skills can also be practiced in activities outside of school, through things like sports, drama, summer camp, arts classes, Scouting, and the like.

If your son’s teachers feel confident about his academic progress, you can, too.

As for the independent vs. in-person learning, it’s likely that not having peers to whom he can compare the quality and quantity of his work is impacting him negatively. When students work in isolation, their understanding of excellence is often entirely dependent upon their own opinion and judgment. In class, however, kids can eyeball the work of others, ask questions of their peers, and compare their efforts to those around them. Maybe your son could find a way on those at-home learning days to connect with a peer in school to compare work, or you could ask teachers to provide examples of excellence to which your son can compare. This may help.

—Mr. Dicks (fifth grade teacher, Connecticut)

More Advice From Slate

I feel like I am in crisis. I have three wonderful, adorable young children. For years, I have been unsatisfied in my marriage for very typical reasons. My husband and I have no physical and little emotional intimacy, though we do have a low-conflict household. I carry the bulk of the labor in our household concerning all domestic and child care responsibilities, despite the fact that I work full time at a stressful career. My husband is impatient with the kids and does not seem to like being around them. I can’t help but feel I’d be happier divorced.  What should I do?

People use me for my homework:

I am feeling really stressed at the moment. I have just moved up into Year 9 and the work has started getting harder. We are beginning to have homework piled on us, but everyone leaves it until the last minute. I manage to stay on top of mine most of the time and pretty much always have it done way before it is due. However some people in my class don’t, they will be doing their homework at break or lunch the day it is due. I am quite a smart person and so everyone turns to me for help, they all want the answers of the homework that I spent time doing. At the moment, I have just been handing the answers around, but it is beginning to stress me out. Yesterday, I was added into a group chat where people were asking about our science homework, everyone kept badgering me so in the end I just texted a picture of my homework. I want to stop doing that because I worry that if I get one wrong, and everybody has my answers, and so everybody gets that question wrong, I will be blamed and everyone will hate me. However, I also feel that if I don’t give them the answers, they will hate me. Most of the time, the only messages I get is from people wanting to copy my answers, people who have left their homework until the last minute. Let’s take today for example, I got two messages, but both of them were people wanting help with our English homework, due tomorrow. They were both from people I don’t usually speak to, and am not very close with. I didn’t give either of them my answers, but I had to lie, and say that I had already handed it in the stop them begging for the answers. I feel like I am being used and that people are only friends with me so that they can copy my homework and use my knowledge to benefit them. HELP!!

To take a phrase from Nancy Reagan, just say no.

It’s fine to help friends with concepts and can be a good way for you to solidify concepts, but this goes way beyond. At my D’s school this would have been an honors code violation for academic dishonesty. Not only for copying someone else’s homework, but also for knowingly letting someone copy off of you.

Do NOT give out your homework answers.

Just because someone messages you, you don’t need to respond. My D had this problem early on in HS (along with people wanting to be her partner for projects) and we told her to tell people that her parents sucked and we were taking her phone away in the evenings.

If confronted directly say the homework is not done yet, or that you turned it in (like you did). It’s up to you to set limits and learn to say ‘no’.

It’s hard because teenagers always want to be liked. You have to say no. Giving people your homework is cheating and you would be deemed to be as guilty as the person(s) copying your work. Use your parents as an excuse if you have to. People who are using you for your homework are not your friends and you are better off having nothing to do with them. You will see who your friends really are once you say and stick to no.

You’d definitely get in just as much trouble as them for giving your homework answers/photo/whatever out.

That said, just keep saying you already turned it in, or you haven’t done it yet either.

If there’s anyone who you could see yourself working on homework together, forming a study group or that sort of thing, then I’d give that a shot.

My daughter in 9th grade got in trouble for allowing others to copy her homework. The school designated this as “cheating” and teacher gave her a zero on the assignment.

Setting boundaries with others is an important skill to have.

To be honest, I’ve had the same dilemma. I’d say just say no to those who ask. Sure you feel very guilty at first but after your rejection, it’d take guts for them to ask again. However, if your friendship isn’t built off of a one sided homework exchange, I’d say help them out if it’s a one time thing.

If you’re afraid of saying no, just push yourself to lol

okay I’m joking. I sound like a huge hypocrite but I’m afraid of saying no so, I usually just send it to them and tell them I’m not responsible for any wrong answers. Honestly, don’t stress over such trivial matters yk?

If you can’t just say, no…

Your phone is out of charge.

Your phone has been taken away.

Your parents have limited the hours you can use your phone.

Leave your phone turned off all day in your backpack stating that you forgot it at home. (these answers are assuming you are sharing via phone)

“I didn’t get it done.”

“I have no idea. I’m lost.”

You need to put a stop to this for many reasons including the fact that you could get caught cheating. Even though you are the one supplying the answers, I can tell you the school that my son attends would charge you with cheating as well. You are also now competing with your classmates for class rank. Helping them, hurts you.

These kids using you for answers are not your friends. You can’t worry about letting them down.

I agree with @Empireapple . My kids used to be in the same position. The older one would tell people that she didn’t see the message, or if she did she would say she forgot to send it. Sometimes she would tell people that she wasn’t finish with her homework yet. After few times (people couldn’t count on you giving them your homework) they will move on.

Both of my kids were straight A students, but they didn’t talk about it with their friends. Whenever people asked how they did on a test they would just say, “I did fine. It was a tough test.” (or something like that).

As others mentions, it is cheating by giving your homework to others. You could get written up for it and it could stay on your record.

In college students are graded on curve. It gets to be a lot more competitive. I know there were times when my kids wouldn’t share their notes from class with someone if he/she consistently doesn’t show up.

How awful it would be to have to go through the rest of high school lying every day.

So don’t. Just say no, and say it with confidence. “No, I’m not risking getting suspended any more because YOU didn’t do your homework!”

You’ll probably only have to say this once or twice. Right now you’re enabling the others. You can put a stop to that any time.

If pressed, you can honesty say that some adults (the posters on this thread) have gone over the consequences with you and the price and risk is too high.

You are being used! In the end, no one respects that, even if sharing your homework may make some people act friendlier.

Some posters have suggested some lines like “I haven’t done it yet.” If that works for you, and they soon get the message and stop badgering you, then great.

But why not just take a social risk and be honest: “I’m tired of doing the work for everyone else. I’m not going to do that anymore.” or " Sorry, but it’s really not my problem " or, just “No, I’m not sharing homework but good luck with it” or “I’ll tutor you sometime if you want but I’m not your homework slave.” Or something in your own words. If they try to argue, don’t respond. You don’t owe them anything and they know it. Some people will be mad, but in the end you’ll get more respect. Your real friends will get it and understand.

OP, I am going to anticipate another problem you have or will likely encounter and that is group projects. You will be asked by the same people who ask you for your homework to be their partner/in their group and you will end up doing all the work. Don’t choose your partners based on “popularity” (unless the popular kid is also a hard worker). My kids ran into this and they learned to pick their partners based on kids who they knew to be hard workers as well. If the teacher designates the groups, the only thing you can do is be very clear at the beginning as to who is responsible for what. Unfortunately in those situations, you will likely have to cover for lazy/weak members, but that happens in the real world as well.

Some things to try:

“I just read a story about a kid who shared his homework answers and then he got suspended…So I can’t do that anymore. But if you tell me what you got for a question and can tell you if I got the same thing.”

“Show me how you approached the problem and I will let you know if you are on the right track.”

POPULAR STATES

Search sat scores, search act scores, search gpa’s, subscribe to our newsletter.

Stay informed with the latest from the CC community, delivered to you, for free.

CONNECT WITH US

© 2023 College Confidential, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Why It’s So Important You Never Help Your Kids With Their Homework

Published on 12/5/2018 at 5:15 PM

I can vividly remember sitting down to do my homework at the kitchen table as a kid while my mom or dad made dinner, squeezing every possible math problem in before they forced me to put my things aside and set the table. Despite either one or both of my parents always being within a few feet of me as I wrote out spelling words and answered social studies questions, never once did either of my parents help me complete my work at any point during my school career.

And that's not to say that I never asked — trust me, I asked — they just never agreed. They weren't being lazy, they weren't feigning ignorance (my dad's an engineer, the man knows his math), they weren't trying to be hard on me, and before you suggest it, yes, they definitely did care about my education and grades; they just didn't believe in helping me solve problems I was equipped to on my own.

Their thought process was this: If I needed help with a part of my homework, I was either being lazy or I was actually confused about something. If it was laziness, they could tell, and I'd get an eye roll and a "Nice try, kid." If it was confusion, they'd argue that I a) should have had notes or instructions somewhere that would help me to figure it out, or b) either forgot or misunderstood whatever it was my teacher explained that day, and that was on me.

They just didn't believe in helping me solve problems I was equipped to on my own.

It was usually the former, and I'd flip through my notebook only to find the exact information I needed to solve my issue, but sometimes it was the latter. In those cases I'd just have to own up to the fact that I either wasn't paying attention in class or that I should have advocated for myself when I didn't understand something I was being taught by asking for extra help. My parents would tell me to do my best in figuring it out with the information I had available to me, and to go into class the next day ready to focus and learn.

Of course, if I was extremely frustrated with something, they'd come look over my shoulder to see what I was working on, but rather than help me outright, they'd encourage me to take a deep breath and put what I was working on aside for a bit. I'd either move to a new subject, take a 10-minute break, or walk my dog then go back to it later. Most of the time, I was able to figure it out with clear eyes, but if not, I'd write myself a note about what was confusing me so that I could go over it with my teacher the next day.

And looking back now, I get it. My parents had already gone through school in the '50s and '60s, and they'd earned their diplomas without help from their parents (my mom's parents didn't even speak English back then, so she was truly on her own there). To them, it was a no-brainer that I'd be brought up the same way, solving my own problems and working to understand my various curricula, which I'd be tested on without anyone there to help me.

I understand that it can be tempting as a parent to help your child with something they're struggling with (especially looking at you, lawnmower parents ). They might feel overwhelmed by their workload or that they just "don't get" certain things. Their projects might seem too intricate for them to complete alone and their math problems might have to be solved in some backward way . Their assignment book may seem more full than you can ever remember yours being, and their backpacks probably seem way too heavy for their little frames. I get it, I really do, but I also get why my parents did what they did for me, and I'm so grateful to them.

Problem-solving is a daily part of life for every human.

Rather than do any type of work for me, which wouldn't have helped me to learn at all, they gave me the skills to work through any issue and to help calm myself down if I was feeling frustrated or stressed. And damn, has that paid off ten-fold, because those skills translate to so much more than elementary school homework — problem-solving is a daily part of life for every human.

So if you have a little kid — or even a big kid — at home who often feels like they need help when completing their homework or a school project, think twice before doing the work for them or even assisting them in a way that would give them the answers. Instead, take a few minutes in these situations to help motivate them and equip them with something so much more valuable: the skills to help themselves. "Good job!" stickers on homework that a parent did have nothing on the knowledge that a child can successfully problem-solve their way through life.

• Parenting Tips
• Personal Essay

• Tiếng Anh (mới)
• Thi thử THPT Quốc gia

Mark the letter A, B, C or D to indicate the correct answer to each of the following questions. You couldn't help me with my homework, _________?

A. couldn't you

B.  will you

C. won’t you

D. could you

Siêu phẩm 30 đề thi thử THPT quốc gia 2024 do thầy cô VietJack biên soạn, chỉ từ 100k trên Shopee Mall .

Đáp án D

Câu hỏi đuôi chứa động từ khuyết thiếu chia như thông thường: couldn’t → could

Tạm dịch: Bạn không thể giúp tôi làm bài tập về nhà à, phải không?

CÂU HỎI HOT CÙNG CHỦ ĐỀ

Mark the letter A, B, C or D to indicate the correct answer to each of the following questions. The biggest fear is that humans might _________ control over robots.

Mark the letter a, b, c, or d on your answer sheet to indicate the word(s) opposite in meaning to the underlined word(s) in each of the following questions. he’ll give joe a red rose and a lovey- dovey poem he wrote..

A. lovesick

D. romantic

Mark the letter A, B, C or D to indicate the correct answer to each of the following questions. The talks were meant to break down _________ between the two groups.

C. barriers

Mark the letter A, B, C or D to indicate the correct answer to each of the following questions. I saw a terrible accident while I _________ on the beach.

A. am walking

B. was walking

D. were walking

Mark the letter A, B, C or D to indicate the correct answer to each of the following questions. The Japanese market _________ 35 per cent of the company's revenue.

B.  accounts for

C. cares for

D. takes in

Mark the letter A, B, C or D to indicate the correct answer to each of the following questions. I really enjoy being with my father. He has got a really good _________ of humour.

Mark the letter a, b, c or d to indicate the correct answer to each of the following questions. they had sold out all the tickets _________..

A. until we were arriving at the theater

B.  when we arrived at the theater

C. because we have arrived at the theater

D. in case we had arrived at the theater

Hãy Đăng nhập hoặc Tạo tài khoản để gửi bình luận

ĐỀ THI LIÊN QUAN

Gọi 084 283 45 85

Hỗ trợ đăng ký khóa học tại Vietjack

CHỌN BỘ SÁCH BẠN MUỐN XEM

Hãy chọn chính xác nhé!

Bạn đã có tài khoản? Đăng nhập

Bằng cách đăng ký, bạn đồng ý với Điều khoản sử dụng và Chính sách Bảo mật của chúng tôi.

Bạn chưa có tài khoản? Đăng ký

Quên mật khẩu

Số điện thoại hiện tại của bạn có vẻ không hợp lệ, vui lòng cập nhật số mới để hể thống kiểm tra lại.

• Rules/Help/FAQ Help/FAQ
• Members Current visitors
• Interface Language

Follow along with the video below to see how to install our site as a web app on your home screen.

Note: This feature may not be available in some browsers.

• English Only

Help me <do / doing / to do> my homework

• Thread starter mink-shin
• Start date Jun 1, 2016

Senior Member

• Jun 1, 2016

I'm curious if there is subtle difference among root infinitive, to + infinitive and -ing after a phrase with a construction "help + objective". Because I learned those things are a okay in that case. But my teacher didn't teach me how difference there is among them. So would you mind if i ask you difference among them?  

Florentia52

Modwoman in the attic.

Please give us an example sentence that illustrates your question, along with the context in which you would use it.  

Florentia52 said: Please give us an example sentence that illustrates your question, along with the context in which you would use it. Click to expand...

And which do you think is/are correct?  

Florentia52 said: And which do you think is/are correct? Click to expand...

"Help me do" and "help me to do" are both correct and mean the same thing. Because the "to" is unnecessary, most people would omit it. "Help me doing my homework" is not correct.  

johngiovanni

I agree with Florentia, of course, but just to say "Help me with my homework, please" is also good. We could make up other sentences where the -ing form is appropriate. "I would like some help with doing the ironing"; "Could you please help me with tidying up the kitchen", etc.  

• Jun 2, 2016

Florentia52 said: "Help me do" and "help me to do" are both correct and mean the same thing. Because the "to" is unnecessary, most people would omit it. Thanks, Florentia52. "Help me doing my homework" is not correct. Click to expand...

johngiovanni said: I agree with Florentia, of course, but just to say "Help me with my homework, please" is also good. We could make up other sentences where the -ing form is appropriate. "I would like some help with doing the ironing"; "Could you please help me with tidying up the kitchen", etc. Click to expand...

mink-shin said: My teacher taught me that i could omit a phrase with construction "which+be". Is there any problem when i think of the sentence "Help me doing my homework" as the sentence without "which am"? Click to expand...

Florentia52 said: I'm sorry, but I don't understand your question. How would "which am" fit into a version of the sentence "Help me doing my homework?" (To be honest, I can't think of any sentence in which "which am" could be used.) Click to expand...

"Help me doing my homework" does not work. "I need some help doing my homework" would be fine (but that is with the noun help , not the verb).  

Forero said: "Help me doing my homework" does not work. "I need some help doing my homework" would be fine (but that is with the noun help , not the verb). Click to expand...

The verb "help" is followed by an infinitive: She helped me (to) do my homework. It may be followed by the -ing form in negative sentences of this type, where the meaning of "help" is different: I couldn't help noticing that her fingernails were dirty.  

sagar grammar

Even I was taught and I have also read it in a grammar book which says... The verb "help" can be followed by an infinitive , "bare infinitive" and also a "preposition+ gerund". With no grammatical mistake. Means. 1- he helped me to do my h.w. (√) 2- he helped me do my h.w. (√) 3- he helped me doing my h.w. (×) 4- he helped me in doing my h.w. (√) Sentence 3 is wrong.. But 4 is correct... While 2 is more usual than 1 Hope this will help you  

Hi sagar, I don't think I would use your (3). He helped me by doing my homework is possible, but the meaning changes. Here, he does all the work for me.  

velisarius said: Hi sagar, I don't think I would use your (3). He helped me by doing my homework is possible, but the meaning changes. Here, he does all the work for me. Click to expand...

velisarius said: I'm sorry, sagar grammmar - I meant to write "I don't think I would use your #4 either". I'll help you in doing the washing-up. I'll help you (to) do the washing -up. Click to expand...

Attachments

I certainly wouldn't recommend anyone to use "help someone in doing something", since we normally simply use the infinitive. You can compare here frequency of usage: Google Ngram Viewer  

sagar, thanks very much. After careful reading your post, I'm totally understand now. All your example helped me to study about the verb "help". Especially, your example about difference of prepositions is most. And velisarius, Thanks.  

velisarius said: I'm sorry, sagar grammmar - I meant to write "I don't think I would use your #4 either". i) I'll help you in doing the washing-up. ii) I'll help you (to) do the washing -up. Click to expand...

I'm not assuming anything, but in this example: "A Pilot engaged for airspray work had to supervise the work of persons who helped him in doing the work he himself had to perform." I see no difference in meaning. The example is from Law on Industrial Disputes , by Vithalbhai B. Patel Commentary on sections 1 to 40 I have no way of knowing whether Vithalbhai Patel was educated in India, but perhaps the construction is more common in Indian English. Most (not all) of the examples I could find online were by non-native writers. Edit: this particular example sounds almost okay to me, but I find it a little ambiguous: does he mean "helped him to do the work" or helped him by doing the work"?  

velisarius said: I'm not assuming anything, but in this example: "A Pilot engaged for airspray work had to supervise the work of persons who helped him in doing the work he himself had to perform." I see no difference in meaning. The example is from Law on Industrial Disputes , by Vithalbhai B. Patel Commentary on sections 1 to 40 I have no way of knowing whether Vithalbhai Patel was educated in India, but perhaps the construction is more common in Indian English. Most (not all) of the examples I could find online were by non-native writers. Click to expand...

sagar grammar said: Even I was taught and I have also read it in a grammar book which says... The verb "help" can be followed by an infinitive , "bare infinitive" and also a "preposition+ gerund". With no grammatical mistake. Means. 1- he helped me to do my h.w. (√) 2- he helped me do my h.w. (√) 3- he helped me doing my h.w. (×) 4- he helped me in doing my h.w. (√) Sentence 3 is wrong.. But 4 is correct... While 2 is more usual than 1 Hope this will help you Click to expand...

There is not any difference in meaning... - sagar Click to expand...

Sentence 4 might be grammatically correct. But it doesn't sound as natural as 1 and 2.  

And in my opinion .. These both are correct but have different meaning.. 1- He helped me in doing the work.(i was doing my work and he helped me in that ) 2- He helped me by doing the work. ( i wasn't doing the work he helped me and did all my work himself ) That's what i think.. being a non native speaker i can only tell you my thinking and how i have seen it's usage. It's your choice believe it or not..  

sagar grammar said: And in my opinion .. These both are correct but have different meaning.. 1- He helped me in doing the work.(i was doing my work and he helped me in that ) 2- He helped me by doing the work. ( i wasn't doing the work he helped me and did all my work himself ) That's what i think.. being a non native speaker i can only tell you my thinking and how i have seen it's usage. It's your choice believe it or not.. Click to expand...

mink-shin said: Sagar, you're one of best teacher i've ever met. Thanks ! There are a lot of people who use English, I think that's why this forum exist. Click to expand...

mink-shin said: Sagar, you're one of best teacher i've ever met. Thanks ! There are a lot of people who use English, I think that's why this forum exist. So I don't care if you're native or not. Click to expand...

sagar grammar said: There are some mistakes in your post .. The sentence should be written as.. "You're one of the best teachers I've ever met. " Thanks.. Click to expand...

"They helped him in doing the work" does not always mean the same as "They helped him do the work". The latter means they did part of the work; the former could mean they did all or part of the work, or that they did something else while he did the work. The sentence about the pilot sounds odd to me overall, but the part "helped him in doing the work he himself had to perform" is a little weak/wordy but acceptable with the meaning "by doing work" = "by doing some work".  

Hi Forero, I don't think "They helped him in doing the work" can mean "they did something else while he did the work", but I agree that the version with preposition "in" may be ambiguous. I think it's rare to find an example of "help in doing" in current usage, but here's Conan-Doyle (Study in Scarlet ): "Now the skillful workman is very careful indeed as to what he takes into his brain-attic. He will have nothing but the tools which may help him in doing his work ..." Annotated A Study in Scarlet with English Grammar Exercises  

velisarius said: Hi Forero, I don't think "They helped him in doing the work" can mean "they did something else while he did the work", but I agree that the version with preposition "in" may be ambiguous. Click to expand...

mink-shin said: I agree with you. Before reading some examples, it'd been weird for me to understand the version with preposition "in". But after reading them, I think that those versions are same meaning. "I felt that he was inquiring and looking for something to help him in deciding my length of stay." (A Good Pair of Boots and A Road to Walk On - C. H. Evers) Click to expand...

Forero said: I take this as "help him as he decides", but it could mean "help him to decide". Click to expand...

"I felt that he was inquiring and looking for something to help him in deciding my length of stay." (A Good Pair of Boots and A Road to Walk On - C. H. Evers) It's interesting, as the writer has used the same construction at least three times in the book. On page 79 - "I went to the credit bureau and told them my problem: they were not at all concerned and they refused to help in correcting it ." (Refused to help correct it.) On page 198 - "She told me to keep track of every blank call [...] by marking it on a calendar, as this would help them in searching their own records." (This would help them when searching their own records - not equivalent to "this would help them to search their own records")  

• Jun 3, 2016

velisarius said: "I felt that he was inquiring and looking for something to help him in deciding my length of stay." (A Good Pair of Boots and A Road to Walk On - C. H. Evers) It's interesting, as the writer has used the same construction at least three times in the book. On page 79 - "I went to the credit bureau and told them my problem: they were not at all concerned and they refused to help in correcting it ." (Refused to help correct it.) On page 198 - "She told me to keep track of every blank call [...] by marking it on a calendar, as this would help them in searching their own records." (This would help them when searching their own records - not equivalent to "this would help them to search their own records") Click to expand...