Parent to Parent: School Daze: Hitting the Books

Instead of diving into the pool, it's time to dive into the books. School's back in session!!!

And that means homework is making a return.

Louisa Gonzalez, Mom
"There's a good maybe couple hours a day."

And Sara and Amanda Gonzales from West Roxbury are ready. They have an after school system, which begins with a "set time".  Before dinner hits the table, Sara and Amanda hit their books for a nightly helping of homework.

Sara Gonzalez, 8th grader
"I take the easiest subject first and then take the hardest. And I just pace myself."

Another lesson learned -- never wait until the last minute. Sara and Amanda keep a homework journal.

Louisa Gonzalez, Mom
"If there is a quiz next week we might go over a chapter a day, or if it's a vocabulary quiz we might do 10 or 15 words one day or another 10 or 15 the next day."

Experts say it's the parents assignment to be there to help their kids.

Amanda Gonzalez, 5th grader
"I usually go to my dad for my math, and then my mom usually helps me with Reading and English."

And when parents get stumped, don't fear. There is help for them too! Starting this fall, the Boston Public Library is starting an online system to give parents the resources they need to help their kids.

Ruth Kowal, Boston Public Library
"If you're a parent and your child comes home and needs help on a math question, it actually will help walk you through how to solve the math question and in a way that you will be able to then help your child with it."

The online homework program will be available 24 hours a day starting in October. But there are also free tutoring sessions at public libraries throughout the state.

(Copyright (c) 2006 Sunbeam Television Corp. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

Have comments or questions on a "Parent to Parent" piece? Share them with 7News here!

Boston Public Library
Homework Help
Kids' Page
http://www.bpl.org/kids/homeworkhelp.htm