Academic and Behavioral Interventions

21 Strategies to Help Learners Who Have Trouble Finishing Homework Tasks

Are you looking for strategies to help students who have trouble finishing homework tasks? If so, keep reading.

1. Chart homework tasks finished.

2. Converse with the student to explain (a) what the student is doing wrong (e.g., not turning in homework tasks) and (b) what the student should be doing (i.e., finishing homework tasks and returning them to school).

3. Urge the student to lessen distractions to finish homework (e.g., turn off the radio and/or TV, have people whisper, etc.).

4. Take proactive steps to deal with a student’s refusal to perform a homework task to prevent contagion in the classroom (e.g., refrain from arguing with the student, place the student at a carrel or other quiet space to work, remove the student from the group or classroom, etc.).

5. Select a peer to model finishing homework tasks and returning them to school for the student.

6. Urge the student to realize that all behavior has negative or positive consequences. Urge the student to practice behaviors that will lead to positive outcomes.

7. Urge the student to set up an “office” where homework can be finished.

8. Get the student to assess the visual and auditory stimuli in their designated workspace at home to ascertain the number of stimuli they can tolerate.

9. Create an agreement with the student and their parents requiring that homework be done before more desirable learning activities at home (e.g., playing, watching television, going out for the evening, etc.).

10. Make sure that homework gives drill and practice rather than introducing new ideas or information.

11. Designate small amounts of homework initially. As the student shows success, slowly increase the amount of homework (e.g., one or two problems to perform may be sufficient to begin the homework process).

12. Provide consistency in assigning homework (i.e., designate the same amount of homework each day).

13. Make sure the amount of homework designated is not excessive and can be finished within a sensible amount of time. Remember, secondary students may have six or seven teachers assigning homework each day.

14. Assess the appropriateness of the homework task to determine (a) if the task is too easy, (b) if the task is too complicated, and (c) if the duration of time scheduled to finish the task is sufficient.

15. Praise the student for finishing homework tasks and returning them to school: (a) give the student a concrete reward (e.g., classroom privileges, 10 minutes of free time, etc.) or (b) provide the student an informal reward (e.g., praise, handshake, smile, etc.).

16. Praise the student for finishing homework tasks based on the number of tasks the student can successfully finish. As the student shows success, slowly increase the number of tasks required for reinforcement.

17. Praise those students who finish their tasks at school during the time given.

18. Send home only one homework task at a time. As the student shows success finishing tasks at home, slowly increase the number of homework tasks sent home.

19. Show the tasks in the most attractive and exciting manner possible.

20. Find the learning materials the student continuously fails to take home. Give a set of those learning materials for the student to keep at home.

21. Consider using an education app to help the student sharpen their organizational skills. Click here to view a list of apps that we recommend.

17 Interventions for Kids Who Have Trouble Completing Classroom Tasks

Are you looking for interventions for kids who have trouble completing classroom tasks? If so, keep reading.

1. Organize their surroundings to give the student an increased chance for help or assistance on tasks (e.g., peer tutoring, instructions for work sent home, frequent interactions, etc.).

2. With the student, chart those tasks that have been finished within the time given.

3. Get the student to record the time it took them to finish each task to accurately determine how much time is spent on each task.

4. Show one task at a time. As each task is finished, deliver reinforcement along with the presentation of the next task.

5. Get the student to use a timer to finish tasks within a given period.

6. Create challenges in designated tasks to increase interest and motivation (e.g., cooperative learning strategies, etc.).

7. Give an incentive statement along with an instruction (e.g., “On occasions where you finish your classwork, you may go to lunch.”).

8. Create task rules (e.g., listen to instructions, wait until all oral instructions have been given, ask questions about anything not grasped, make sure you have all the appropriate learning materials, and begin the task when you are sure about what you are supposed to do, etc.).

9. Make sure that the student knows the relationship between unacceptable behavior and the consequences that follow (e.g., failure to perform or finish classroom tasks will result in a low grade).

10. Inspect the student’s classwork when they are finished so you can be sure that everything is finished.

11. Praise the student for beginning, working on, and finishing tasks.

12. Take proactive steps to deal with a student’s refusal to perform a task to prevent contagion in the classroom (e.g., refrain from arguing with the student, place the student at a carrel or other quiet space to work, remove the student from the group or classroom, etc.).

13. Let the student have additional time to finish class tasks or homework.

14. Show the student that work not done during class/work time will have to be done during other times (e.g., recess, break time, leisure time, before/after school, lunchtime, etc.).

15. Follow up a less desirable task with a highly desirable task. Make the student finish the first to begin the second.

16. Give the student step-by-step written instructions for finishing class tasks.

21. Consider using an education app to help the student sharpen their organizational skills. Click here to view a list of apps that we recommend.

21 Techniques for Supporting Learners Who Have Trouble Completing Classroom Tasks

Are you looking for techniques for supporting students who have trouble completing classroom tasks? If so, keep reading.

1. Organize time units so the student knows how long they have to work and when to be finished.

2. Make sure the student achieves success when following instructions.

3. Prioritize tasks by importance (e.g., task A must be done today, task B can be done today, and task C can wait until tomorrow).

4. Teach the student organizational and task conclusion skills (e.g., begin with a clean desk, read instructions carefully, collect all the appropriate learning materials, ask for assistance if needed, look for the main idea, follow examples given, answer questions you know first and leave those you are unsure of for last, etc.).

5. Assess the appropriateness of the task to determine (a) if the task is too easy, (b) if the task is too complicated, and (c) if the duration of time scheduled to finish the task is sufficient.

6. Give the student more than enough time to finish a learning experience. As the student shows success, slowly decrease the amount of time given to finish a learning experience.

7. Make sure the student knows that classwork not finished and turned in on time must still be finished and turned in at a later time.

8. Urge the student to realize that all behavior has negative or positive consequences. Urge the student to practice behaviors that will lead to positive outcomes.

9. Get the student to orally repeat the instructions to the teacher.

10. Get the student to explain to the teacher what they should do to finish the task.

11. Communicate clearly to the student the duration of time they have to finish a task. The student may want to use a timer to finish the tasks within the given period.

12. Praise the student for finishing the tasks or tasks during the time given: (a) give the student a concrete reward (e.g., privileges such as leading the line, handing out learning materials, 10 minutes of free time, etc.) or (b) give the student an informal reward (e.g., praise, handshake, smile, etc.).

13. Provide instructions orally to increase the likelihood of the student’s comprehension of class tasks.

14. Make sure the student knows the logical consequences for failing to finish tasks or tasks during the time given (e.g., students who do not finish their work are not allowed to do more desirable learning activities ).

15. Talk about the student’s duties at the beginning of each class period so they know what is expected.

16. Provide visibility to and from the student. The teacher and the student should be able to see each other at all times. Make eye contact possible at all times.

17. Minimize distracting stimuli (e.g., place the student on the front row, give a table or “office” space away from distractions, etc.). Use this as a way to reduce distractions, never as a punishment.

18. Get the student to gather all the learning materials appropriate to work on a project, task, etc., to lessen the need to search for learning materials and create unnecessary distractions.

19. Complete a few problems of the task with the student to serve as a model and start the student on the task.

20. Select a peer to help the student with class tasks.

21. Consider using an education app to help the student sharpen their organizational skills. Click here to view a list of apps that we recommend.

21 Simple Ways to Support Kids Who Do Not Complete Classroom Tasks

Are you looking for ways to support kids who do not complete classroom tasks? If so, keep reading.

1. Let the student have the option of performing the task at another time (e.g., earlier in the day, later, on another day, or at home).

2. Provide instructions in an assortment of ways to enable the student’s comprehension (e.g., if the student fails to understand oral instructions, present them in written form).

3. Reward the student for concentrating on a task for a specific duration of time (e.g., smile, oral praise, a note acknowledging their effort, etc.).

4. Minimize the amount of information on a page (e.g., less print to read, fewer problems, isolate information that is presented to the student, etc.) if it is visually distracting for the student.

5. Minimize emphasis on academic and social competition. Fear of failure may cause the student to not want to finish tasks during the time given.

6. Praise the student for the steps of beginning, working on, and finishing each individual task during the time given.

7. Give the student the chance to perform tasks/learning activities in an assortment of ways.

8. Get the student to time tasks to monitor their own behavior and accept time limits.

9. Provide consistency in the tasks to be finished within the time given.

10. Stop the student from becoming overstimulated by a learning experience (e.g., frustrated, angry, excited, etc.).

11. Get the student to find a peer who has the capacity and ability to finish work tasks. Train the student to observe that person and try to model the behaviors that let them finish tasks.

12. Give the student access to pencils, pens, etc., only after instructions have been given.

13. Urge the parents to make positive remarks about school and the importance of finishing classwork.

14. Give the student a schedule of learning activities so that they know what and how much there is to do in a given period.

15. Give the student a selection of tasks and require them to select a minimum number from the total (e.g., present the student with 10 academic tasks from which 6 must be finished that day).

16. Ask the student why they are not finishing tasks in the time given. The student may have the most accurate perception as to why they are not finishing the required tasks during the time given.

17. Give the student more decision-making chances relative to class learning activities and tasks.

18. Give the student increased chances for help or assistance on academic tasks (e.g., peer tutoring, instructions for work sent home, frequent interactions, etc.).

19. Assess the visual and auditory stimuli in the classroom. Ascertain the number of stimuli the student can tolerate. Remove the unnecessary stimuli from their surroundings.

20. Draft an agreement with the student stipulating what behavior is required (e.g., finishing tasks or tasks during the time given) and which reinforcement will be implemented when the agreement has been met.

21. Consider using an education app to help the student sharpen their organizational skills. Click here to view a list of apps that we recommend.

21 Ways to Teach Learners to Complete Classroom Tasks

Are you looking for ways to teach students to complete classroom tasks? If so, keep reading.

1. Teach the student time management skills. Get the student to make a daily plan and follow it. Urge the student to avoid becoming distracted by activities, impulses, and moods.

2. Talk regularly with the student to help them follow instructions for the tasks.

3. Tell the student, when they do not finish a task correctly, what they are doing wrong, what they are supposed to be doing, and why.

4. Get the student to ask for help when they need it.

5. Get the student to schedule their own time for tasks (e.g., 20 minutes for each of 3 tasks, 15 minutes for each of 4 tasks, etc.) to pace themselves.

6. Urge the student to manage their everyday lives as if they were self-employed. This should increase their motivation to finish tasks successfully.

7. Support the student in performing their classwork. As the student shows success, slowly decrease the assistance, and require the student to independently assume more responsibility.

8. Talk regularly with the student to continue involvement with class tasks (e.g., ask the student questions, ask the student’s opinion, stand near the student, seat the student near the teacher’s desk, etc.).

9. Give simple, concrete, clearly stated instructions in written or oral form.

10. Show the task in the most attractive and exciting manner possible.

11. Get the student to finish tasks in a private space (e.g., table, “office,” quiet study area, etc.) to lessen the anxiety of public failure.

12. Repeat instructions to increase the likelihood of the student’s comprehension.

13. Manage tasks by dividing them into small segments. Establish deadlines and reward the student after finishing each segment of the task.

14. Do not require the student to learn more information than they are capable of learning at any time.

15. Make sure that the student is paying attention to the teacher when instructions are given (e.g., making eye contact, hands free of writing learning materials, looking at task, etc.).

16. Inform the student when it is time to do classwork.

17. Take into account the student’s capacity and ability level and experience before assigning tasks to him/her.

18. Give the student high-quality content to finish the task (e.g., pencil with eraser, paper, dictionary, handwriting sample, etc.). Make sure that the student has only the appropriate content on their desk.

19. Finish the first few steps of a task with the student to serve as a model and start the student on the task.

20. Assess the clarity and quality of directions, explanations, and instructions given to the student.

21. Consider using an education app to help the student sharpen their organizational skills. Click here to view a list of apps that we recommend.

21 Strategies to Help Learners Who Have Trouble Finishing Classroom Tasks

Are you looking for strategies to help students who have trouble finishing classroom tasks? If so, keep reading.

1. Teach the student instruction-following skills (e.g., listen carefully, write down essential points, ask for clarification, wait until all instructions are received before beginning, etc.).

2. Practice instruction-following skills on nonacademic tasks.

3. Create task rules: • Listen to instructions. • Wait until all instructions have been given. • Ask questions regarding concepts that you do not comprehend. • Begin the task only when you are sure about what you are supposed to do. • Make sure you have all the appropriate learning materials, etc.

4. Provide directions/instructions before handing out learning materials.

5. Provide consistency in the classroom’s daily routine (schedule).

6. Let logical consequences happen (e.g., may not take part in extracurricular sports, may not earn graduation credit, etc.) due to the student’s failure to finish classwork.

7. Give the student shorter tasks (e.g., modify a 20-problem math learning experience to 4 learning activities of 5 problems each to be done at several times during the day). As the student demonstrates success, slowly increase the length of each task, and decrease the number of tasks.

8. Connect with the student’s parents (e.g., notes home, phone calls, etc.) to disseminate information about their child’s progress. The parents may reinforce the student at home for finishing tasks at school.

9. Indicate what is to be done for the conclusion of a task.

10. Designate one task at a time. Provide the student with ample time to finish it.

11. Support the student in writing an agreement for themselves designating a time to finish a task and avoid procrastination.

12. Create a timeline for finishing a project. Expect the student to meet each deadline to finish the project on time.

13. Provide consistent expectations within the capacity and ability level of the student.

14. Reinforce all measures of improvement.

15. Urge the student to create an understanding of the consequences of their behavior by writing down or talking through problems that may happen due to their failure to finish tasks (e.g., if the student does not focus on tasks in class, they may not pass the course. If they do not pass the course, they will not earn credit, etc.).

16. Urge the student to create an understanding of themselves and their surroundings. Train the student to periodically step back and ask himself/herself, “Am I on-task and finishing my tasks?” “What should I be doing now?”

17. Select a peer to model appropriate conclusion of the tasks during the time given for the student.

18. Observe the student during class tasks to encourage on-task behavior.

19. Praise the student for finishing tasks based on the amount of work they can successfully finish in a given period. As the student shows success, slowly increase the duration of tasks.

20. Give the student shorter tasks, which are given more regularly.

21. Consider using an education app to help the student sharpen their organizational skills. Click here to view a list of apps that we recommend.

16 Ways to Teach Learners to Solve Math Problems Using Columns

Are you looking for ways to teach students to solve math problems using columns? If so, keep reading.

1. Teach the student the zero concept in place value (e.g., there are no tens in the number “207” so a zero is put in the tens column).

2. Utilize money ideas to help the student learn place value by association (e.g., $1.26 is the same as six pennies or six ones, two dimes or two tens, one dollar or one hundred).

3. Give practice with an app or a hand-held educational device that gives instant feedback to the student.

4. Give the student a masked window to help the student use columns accurately.

5. Give the student learning experience s in grouping concrete objects into groups of ones, tens, hundreds, etc.

6. Utilize vertical lines on graph paper to help the student visualize columns and put a single digit in each column.

7. Teach the student to space a number in the ones column and transfer it to the left to the next column from ones to tens, hundreds, thousands, etc.

8. Utilize manipulative objects (e.g., base ten blocks, connecting links, etc.) to give a visual image when teaching the student place value.

9. Give the student many chances to indicate the value of columns in multiple-digit numbers (e.g., 56 = ( ) tens and ( ) ones; 329 = ( ) hundreds, ( ) tens, and ( ) ones; etc.).

10. Give the student color-coded columns to help the student use columns accurately.

11. Praise the student for accurately using columns when solving math problems: (a) give the student a concrete reward (e.g., privileges such as leading the line, handing out learning materials, 10 minutes of free time, etc.) or (b) give the student an informal reward (e.g., praise, handshake, smile, etc.).

12. Make the student check all their math facts for accuracy. Praise the student for each correction made in the use of columns.

13. Give the student self-checking learning materials to reinforce the use of columns.

14. Consider using Alexa for the Math Classroom.

15. Try gamifying your math lessons.

16. Consider using one of the apps and tools from our many math app lists:

9 Must-Have Apps and Tools for Kids Who Hate Math

10 Apps to Teach Preschoolers Math

20 Math Apps for Learners of All Ages

Advanced Math Apps, Tools, and Resources for That We Love

Elementary School Math Apps, Tools, and Resources That We Love

Fraction Apps, Tools, and Resources That We Love

High School Math Apps, Tools, and Resources That We Love

Interactive Math for the Google Classroom

Math Apps, Tools, and Resources That I Would Use If I Were Still in the Classroom

Math Manipulatives Apps, Tools, and Resources That We Love

Middle School Math Apps, Tools, and Resources That We Love

Multiplication Apps, Tools, and Resources That We Love

PreK Math Apps, Tools, and Resources That We Love 

YouTube Channels for the Math Classroom

16 Strategies to Help Learners Who Have Trouble Solving Math Problems Using Columns While Working Math Problems

Are you looking for strategies to help students who have trouble solving math problems using columns while working math problems? If so, keep reading.

1. Select a peer to model the use of columns when working math problems for the student.

2. Create a marked column format (e.g., /thousands/hundreds/tens/ones/) that can be copied from an original for the student to use in solving all designated math problems.

3. Get the student to exchange 10 pennies for a dime and correlate that learning experience with grouping ten ones and placing a 1 in the tens column and a 0 in the ones column.

4. Get the student to practice labeling columns to represent ones, tens, hundreds, etc.

5. Get the student to practice regrouping a number in various positions and determining its value (e.g., 372,723,237).

6. Get the student to practice using columns when solving math problems by using a computer program that automatically selects the correct column to input.

7. Get the student to talk through math problems as they are solving them to find errors they are making.

8. Get the student to use a calculator to solve math problems involving the use of columns.

9. Make sure the student has the prerequisite skills to learn place value (e.g., counting orally, comprehension sets, writing numbers to 100, etc.).

10. Teach the student the ideas and terminology appropriate to learn place value (e.g., set, column, middle, left, digit, etc.).

11. Teach the student why they are learning a math concept. Give the student concrete examples and chances for them to apply the theory in real-life situations.

12. Teach the student that math problems of addition, subtraction, and multiplication move from right to left beginning with the ones column.

13. Teach the student that the shared value of ten “ones” is equal to one “ten” and that ten “tens” is equal to one hundred.

14. Consider using Alexa for the Math Classroom.

15. Try gamifying your math lessons.

16. Consider using one of the apps and tools from our many math app lists:

9 Must-Have Apps and Tools for Kids Who Hate Math

10 Apps to Teach Preschoolers Math

20 Math Apps for Learners of All Ages

Advanced Math Apps, Tools, and Resources for That We Love

Elementary School Math Apps, Tools, and Resources That We Love

Fraction Apps, Tools, and Resources That We Love

High School Math Apps, Tools, and Resources That We Love

Interactive Math for the Google Classroom

Math Apps, Tools, and Resources That I Would Use If I Were Still in the Classroom

Math Manipulatives Apps, Tools, and Resources That We Love

Middle School Math Apps, Tools, and Resources That We Love

Multiplication Apps, Tools, and Resources That We Love

PreK Math Apps, Tools, and Resources That We Love 

YouTube Channels for the Math Classroom

17 Ways to Teach Learners to Solve Math Problems That Require Math Facts

Are you looking for ways to teach students to solve math problems that require math facts? If so, keep reading.

1. Give practice of math facts using an app or a hand-held educational device that gives instant feedback to the student.

2. Give the student many concrete experiences to help learn and remember math facts. Utilize popsicle sticks, tongue depressors, paper clips, buttons, etc., to form groupings to teach math facts.

3. Using the tracking method to help the student learn math facts, present a few facts at a time. As the student shows success, slowly increase the number of facts, the student must memorize.

4. Daily, examine those skills, ideas, tasks, etc., that have been previously introduced.

5. Praise the student for improving retention of math facts: (a) give the student a concrete reward (e.g., privileges such as leading the line, handing out learning materials, 10 minutes of free time, etc.) or (b) give the student an informal reward (e.g., praise, handshake, smile, etc.).

6. Make the student practice facts at home with flash cards, computer programs, or hand-held games.

7. Play class games to reinforce math facts (e.g., Bingo, Jeopardy, teacher-made games, etc.).

8. Teach the student that subtraction facts are the inverse of addition facts. The same concept holds true for multiplication and division.

9. Utilize daily drill learning activities to help the student memorize math facts (e.g., written problems, flash cards, etc.).

10. Utilize fingers to teach the student to form addition and subtraction combinations. Get the student to hold up fingers and add or subtract other fingers to find the correct answer.

11. Do not require the student to learn more information than they are capable of learning at any time.

12. Utilize manipulative objects (e.g., peg board, abacus, base ten blocks, etc.) to give a visual image when teaching the student basic math facts.

13. Minimize the emphasis on competition. Competitive learning activities may cause the student to hurry and make mistakes when solving math problems.

14. Consider using Alexa for the Math Classroom.

15. Try gamifying your math lessons.

16. Consider using one of the apps and tools from our many math app lists:

9 Must-Have Apps and Tools for Kids Who Hate Math

10 Apps to Teach Preschoolers Math

20 Math Apps for Learners of All Ages

Advanced Math Apps, Tools, and Resources for That We Love

Elementary School Math Apps, Tools, and Resources That We Love

Fraction Apps, Tools, and Resources That We Love

High School Math Apps, Tools, and Resources That We Love

Interactive Math for the Google Classroom

Math Apps, Tools, and Resources That I Would Use If I Were Still in the Classroom

Math Manipulatives Apps, Tools, and Resources That We Love

Middle School Math Apps, Tools, and Resources That We Love

Multiplication Apps, Tools, and Resources That We Love

PreK Math Apps, Tools, and Resources That We Love 

YouTube Channels for the Math Classroom

23 Strategies to Help Learners Who Have Trouble Solving Math Problems Requiring Remembering Math Facts

Are you looking for strategies to help students who have trouble solving math problems requiring math facts? If so, keep reading.

1. Make sure addition and subtraction facts have been learned before introducing multiplication and division facts.

2. Split the essential addition and subtraction facts into “sets.” Make the student memorize each set in succession.

3. Develop and reinforce math facts the student has learned. As the student shows success, add one new fact at a time.

4. Select a peer to drill the student each day on math facts (e.g., flash cards).

5. Select one fact the student has not learned and have them study it during the day.

6. Create a math facts reference sheet for addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division for the student to use at their desk when solving math problems.

7. Create and post essential addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division charts that the student can use in solving math problems.

8. Give chances for the student to use math facts in real-life scenarios and situations.

9. Get students to finish a math facts quiz sheet as they arrive each morning.

10. Get the student to finish a math facts worksheet and use a calculator to check and correct the answers.

11. Get the student to independently solve half their math problems each day. Let them use a calculator to solve the other half of the task as reinforcement.

12. Get the student to use a number line attached to their desk to add and subtract.

13. Get the student to perform timed drills to reinforce basic math facts as reinforcement. The student “competes” against their own best times.

14. Get the student to play a math facts game with other students. Let each student take turns answering and checking facts.

15. Get the student to practice skip counting to reinforce multiplication facts (e.g., 5s: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, etc.).

16. Get the student to use a calculator for drill learning activities of basic math facts.

17. Get the student to use a calculator to reinforce the memorization of math facts. Get the student to solve several problems each day using a calculator.

18. Get the student to use math facts CDs and recordings for drill learning activities.

19. If a student has difficulty memorizing facts, let them keep a chart of facts at their desk to use as a reference.

20. Give practice and reinforcement of math facts using apps programs that has game-like learning activities.

21. Consider using Alexa for the Math Classroom.

22. Try gamifying your math lessons.

23. Consider using one of the apps and tools from our many math app lists:

9 Must-Have Apps and Tools for Kids Who Hate Math

10 Apps to Teach Preschoolers Math

20 Math Apps for Learners of All Ages

Advanced Math Apps, Tools, and Resources for That We Love

Elementary School Math Apps, Tools, and Resources That We Love

Fraction Apps, Tools, and Resources That We Love

High School Math Apps, Tools, and Resources That We Love

Interactive Math for the Google Classroom

Math Apps, Tools, and Resources That I Would Use If I Were Still in the Classroom

Math Manipulatives Apps, Tools, and Resources That We Love

Middle School Math Apps, Tools, and Resources That We Love

Multiplication Apps, Tools, and Resources That We Love

PreK Math Apps, Tools, and Resources That We Love 

YouTube Channels for the Math Classroom