On average, most elementary and intermediate grade schoolchildren get about one hour or more of homework every night. 

While some parents sit down with their children and help with their homework, some parents do not have the patience, or they work and do not have the time. 

So where do your students go for homework help?   

For starters, try the local public library system Web site which offers a free comprehensive tutoring service that is designed to help children with tough homework problems, learning academic skills, or writing papers. 

Called "Help Now," this program is available daily from 1 to 10 p.m., and can be accessed from any computer with Internet access.  You log into the program using your library card number.  Help Now, is available for students in grades three to adult learners in the following subjects: Math: Algebra I, Algebra II, Geometry, Trigonometry, and Calculus; Science: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Earth Science; Social Studies: US History, and World History; English and Language Arts.  

Through this program students can access the following services:

• Homework Help - Students submit a question, to which they receive live, one-on-one assistance from a Brainfuse tutor.
• Skills Building - Includes online lessons presented by Brainfuse tutors in one-to-one sessions.
• 24-Hour Writing Lab - Students submit their writing and a writing instructor will provides them feedback.  
• Test Center - Take online standardized tests such as the SAT, ACT, and GED.  Students will receive immediate test scores.  
• 24/7 Help Center - Students submit questions via an online form and a tutor will respond within 24 hours to the student's question.   
• Foreign Language Center - Students receive live online help with their foreign language homework from foreign language tutors.
• Full Spanish-Speaking Service: Spanish-speaking tutors are offered with English-speaking tutors.

To check out this program: www.piercecountylibrary.org/kids-teens/online-homework-help/Default.htm.

Below are some other online programs recommended by local educators:  

www.aplusmath.com -  This is an interactive Web site that includes: flashcards to flip through online, a flashcard creator to print, worksheets and answers that you can print, or do online, games, and homework help.

www.mathway.com - get answers to any math problem instantly. 

www.FunBrain.com - play games such as Math Baseball, and Grammar Gorillas to learn.  This interactive Web site offers kids fun games to play to learn concepts that they may be struggling with in school.

www.coolmath.com - This Web site provides math lessons for people age 13 and above.  The site includes math lessons, practice, dictionary, geometry and trig references, pre-algebra, algebra, pre-calculus and calculus, puzzles, worksheets, and games. This site takes students through a step-by-step process to learn math concepts.  It starts with basics and allows students to progress at their own pace through worksheets and other interactive activities.

http://www.familyeducation.com/home/ - This Web site offers grade by grade assistance to students about what they will learn as well as help with their homework as they progress through their school year.  This site also provides skill-builders help in math, reading and English, social studies, science and history; and printable worksheets.