Helping teens succeed at school

(NC) Homework can be tough to deal with at any age, but once your kids hit high school, the assignments get more complex, and you find yourself wondering how you ever graduated when you can’t remember Grade 10 fractions. Fortunately, the internet has plenty of resources to help. Here are some of the best ones for popular subjects.

History. Textbooks can make historical events and figures seem dull and disconnected, when the behind-the-scenes motivations and politics are often fascinating, and everything is interconnected. Educational YouTube videos are great at breaking down complex events like wars to make them interesting and memorable. A standout series is Crash Course, which takes a nuanced look at world history and tries to go beyond a Eurocentric view of the past.

Writing. Being able to write well is a critical skill that will help your child succeed in post-secondary studies and in their career. Since it is often taught as part of a broader English course that primarily focuses on literature, it’s a smart idea to devote some extra time to honing writing skills specifically. The Language Portal of Canada is a free website from Public Services and Procurement Canada that has resources on clear communication, punctuation, prepositions, vocabulary, grammar and more, to help high school students of all grades become better writers.

Math. One of the trickiest subjects for many of us, math is another important life skill we all need to master. Fortunately, there are plenty of online resources that help, no matter how your child learns best. The BBC has some great videos and tools, and some provincial governments even offer one-to-one afterschool online tutoring with certified teachers.

French. Knowing another language – especially an official one – is an invaluable ability that will pay dividends in years to come, eventually helping your child stand out when applying for work and qualify for more jobs. The Language Portal can also help them improve their French, with translation glossaries and vocabularies, and language quizzes.

Get access to tools and resources for help with grammar, writing and English and French homework at canada.ca/our-languages.