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Goal100™LEARNING

← Families · Parent-teacher conferences

Homework help without doing it for them

Your job is not to know every answer. Your job is to help your child think, keep going and ask for help. Here are words to say, a plan for when your child is stuck, and how to use Goal100 at home.

General tips for families. Your child's teacher and school homework rules come first. Ask the teacher how long homework should take.

⭐ 1 · Try it (5 minutes) 2 · Tap 🆘 I'm stuck for a hint 3 · Ask a question 4 · Take a short break Got it, or ask teacher
In 10 seconds: try, use a hint, ask a question, take a break. If it is still hard, the teacher needs to know.

10 things to say

Short questions help your child do the thinking. Pick 2 or 3 to start.

  1. Tell me what the question is asking, in your own words.Instead of reading it for them and explaining it.
  2. What do you already know that could help?Instead of: “Here, let me show you.”
  3. Show me the part you understand. Start there.Instead of starting over from the beginning.
  4. What did your teacher do in class? Can you find an example?Instead of teaching a different method.
  5. Try one step, then tell me what you did.Instead of doing the first step for them.
  6. That is a “not yet”. What could you try next?Instead of: “That's wrong.”
  7. How could you check your answer?Instead of checking it for them.
  8. Let's take a 5-minute break, then try again.Instead of pushing through when everyone is tired.
  9. Write a question for your teacher. That is a smart move.Instead of finishing the hard part yourself.
  10. I saw you keep going. That effort is how brains grow.Instead of: “You're so smart.”

What to do when your child is stuck

Follow the arrows from top to bottom.

  1. 😕 My child is stuck.

    First, read the question together. Ask: “What is it asking?”

  2. 1 · Try the I'm stuck ladder

    In Goal100, tap 🆘 I'm stuck. It gives a hint, one step at a time. On paper homework, look at the class notes or an example.

    Got it? Great. Finish and check the answer.
    Still stuck? Go to step 2.

  3. 2 · Ask a question (not for the answer)

    Use a phrase from the list above, like “Show me the part you understand.”

    Got it? Great. Keep going.
    Still stuck? Go to step 3.

  4. 3 · Take a short break

    5 minutes: water, stretch, a short walk. Then try one more time.

    Got it? Great. Keep going.
    Still stuck? Go to step 4.

  5. 4 · Stop and write a note

    Your child writes one question for the teacher: “I tried ___ and got stuck on ___.” That is a strong, honest finish for tonight.

Time plans by grade

These plans use made-up minutes to show the idea: short focused work, short breaks, then plan for tomorrow. Your school and teacher set the real amount.

Example with made-up numbers

Four sample evenings

Grade 2

10 min · Read3 min · Break10 min · Math2 min · Pack bag
Total: 10 + 3 + 10 + 2 = 25 minutes Focused work: 20 minutes

Grade 4

15 min · Math5 min · Break15 min · Reading5 min · Check + pack
Total: 15 + 5 + 15 + 5 = 40 minutes Focused work: 30 minutes

Grade 6

20 min · Math5 min · Break20 min · ELA5 min · Break10 min · Science5 min · Plan tomorrow
Total: 20 + 5 + 20 + 5 + 10 + 5 = 65 minutes Focused work: 50 minutes

Grade 8

25 min · Math5 min · Break25 min · ELA5 min · Break15 min · Social Studies5 min · Plan tomorrow
Total: 25 + 5 + 25 + 5 + 15 + 5 = 80 minutes Focused work: 65 minutes

Try it yourself (made-up): if your grade 6 child has 3 subjects and each takes about 15 minutes, with a 5-minute break between them:

Work: 3 × 15 = 45 minutes Breaks between: 2 × 5 = 10 minutes Total: 45 + 10 = 55 minutes

If homework is often much longer than the teacher expects, that is useful for the teacher to know (see When to talk to the teacher).

Using Goal100 at home

Every lesson goes one step at a time. These tools help your child learn without you needing to know the answer.

Listen

Tap Listen and the screen is read aloud. It uses your device's own voice at a calm speed you can change. Great for younger readers and for families learning English.

Movie

A short lesson movie shows the big idea. Watch it together first, then ask: “What was the one big idea?”

3D: Build it and Explore

Many lessons have a 3D model you can turn, Build it and take apart. Ask your child to explain the model to you, like a teacher.

I'm stuck

Hints come one step at a time, then a fresh problem with new numbers. Using it is a smart move, not cheating.

Goal: 100%

“Not yet” means still learning. 95% or more is Mastered; 100% earns a gold Perfect star. Praise the second try.

Send to my teacher

Progress stays on your device. Your child can make a code and send it to the teacher, so the teacher sees what was practiced.

Example with made-up numbers

A 20-minute Goal100 session

Movie: 3 minutes Build it in 3D: 5 minutes Practice with I'm stuck: 10 minutes Quick check: 2 minutes Total: 3 + 5 + 10 + 2 = 20 minutes

Check score: 9 of 10 = 90%. That is a “not yet” for Mastered (95%). Tomorrow: one fresh check. 10 of 10 = 100% = Perfect star.

When to talk to the teacher

Teachers want to know. Send a short note if:

Dear [teacher's name], [Child's first name] worked on [subject] homework for [number] minutes tonight. We tried the hints and took a break. The part that is still hard is: [skill or question]. Could you help with this in class, or tell me how I can help at home? Thank you, [Your name]

Meeting the teacher soon? Use our parent-teacher conference guide.

Questions people ask

I don't remember this math. Can I still help?

Yes. You don't need to know the answer. Ask the questions on this page, and let Listen, the Movie and I'm stuck do the teaching.

I don't read English well. How can I help?

Ask your child to explain the work to you in your home language. Talking about ideas in any language helps. Goal100 has Spanish help and a Listen button.

Should I fix mistakes before my child turns in homework?

Usually no. Mistakes show the teacher what to teach next. Ask your child to check their work instead: “How could you check this?”

Is it OK to stop before homework is done?

If your child tried, used hints, asked and took a break, stopping with a note to the teacher is a good choice. Then let the teacher know.

Sources

This page shares general tips. Homework time is set by your school and teacher. The minutes above are made-up examples.