Resolving Struggling Readers' Homework Difficulties: How Elementary School Counselors Can Help

Increasing struggling learners’ self‐efficacy: what tutors can do and say

“…Unless tutors are adequately trained, skilled, supervised, and comfortable with relaxation training, they should avoid it. Instead, they might follow the organization's procedures to refer highly anxious learners to counseling to reduce anxiety (Margolis, et al, 2004).…”

The role of parents' motivation in students' autonomous motivation for doing homework

“…Yet, interestingly, as a topic of research, homework has been rather neglected (Murray et al, 2006;Trautwein & Köller, 2003). Moreover, commonly, rather than contributing to learning and achievement, homework constitutes a stressful issue among many parents and students (Coutts, 2004;Levin et al, 1997;Margolis, McCabe, & Alber, 2004). Hence, research is required for identifying processes and practices that could facilitate more adaptive engagement in homework.…”

Resolving Struggling Readers' Homework Difficulties: A Social Cognitive Perspective

“…Teachers can often prevent, reduce, or eliminate negative affective reactions by providing struggling readers with continual success, especially on moderately challenging tasks that readers' value. Teachers can also improve readers' physiological responses by creating a pleasant, supportive atmosphere (McCabe, 2003) and arranging for relaxation training (Margolis, 1987(Margolis, , 1990 or counseling to address homework problems (Margolis, McCabe, & Alber, 2004).…”

“…Some readers, however, need more (Dawson & Guare, 2004). They may need daily, after-school help from an in-school homework support center; access to a homework hotline (Patton, 1994); ongoing reading instruction, by a reading specialist, that is carefully coordinated with in-class instruction (Allington & Cunningham, 2002); ongoing, frequent, skilled counseling to help them deal with their academic problems and any emotional difficulties arising from these problems (Margolis et al, 2004); and fun and enjoyment, lots of it, to give them a cushion, a psychological shield to minimize and balance the hurt their reading problems cause. Some, who come from chaotic, neglectful, or dangerous homes, may need social service supports.…”