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How much homework is too much? I am hearing from my mom friends that some of their children have as much as an hour or even two a night of homework in elementary school! My kids have been pretty lucky on that so far as they have homework but not an amount I consider too much...most of the time! I have heard that for ecah grade level, about 10 minutes of homework a night is good. A child psychologist I know once told me that research shows no amount of homework in elementary school is beneficial based on tests. Where do you find yourself in this debate, and how much homework do your kids have? And do you have to fight them to do it, or will the go along with it willingly? I have one who takes care of it pretty much without help from me, and one who has to be reminded every day to get on his homework. What are your experiences with homework?

So far, for my 2nd grader, homework takes about 45 minutes. Now, he's got excellent grades, so its not like I have to fight him or keep on top of him, but most days consist of timed reading worksheets (with a questions), timed math worksheet (and sometimes an extra math worksheet), writing short stories or sentences for his spelling words, and reading from his reader book. All in the same night. I think homework does have its benefits, but sometimes we do feel burned out by the amount.

--Jenn

My stepson has between an hour or two of homework almost every night and he's only in third grade. I have to fight him, even searching his bookbag to look for hidden assignments. His daycare has even said that students of his same grade in different schools or with different teachers don't have anywhere near that amount of homework. His grades are really bad and it's always a battle. Half the time he says the teacher didn't show them how to do it, but I'm not even sure. It's been almost two decades since I was in third grade and most of the time the teacher doesn't send home instructions on how to do the work, especially his math. I know if they sent home some kind of instructions telling what is expected for the work and what the different terms mean it would be a lot easier for me to help him. But as it is homework is a complete nightmare. I think the standardized tests have put too much pressure on students and teachers alike. Learning should be fun, but as it is I dread the nightly ritual of doing homework and studying for fcat, mainly because he hates it so much. What's a parent to do?

I had a similiar situation with my son. I scheduled a conference with his teacher and asked her how long she expects them to spend on homework. You may also ask if she offers extra help after school for those that are struggling. I don't know if she would be willing to provide a weekly progress report, but these are wonderful for keeping track of assignments and grades. This will eliminate some of the frustration for you and your son and help him to get back on track where he needs to be!

Good luck!
Chris
Tyler's mom

I have a third grader and a first grader and the rule of thumb in our house is homework comes first. As soon as we get home, homework is to be done. My third grader does have spelling words every week, math three times a week, and reading and writing throughout the week which he struggled with throughout the first part of the year, but now has the hang of and it really isn't a problem. I think it is getting them into the routine of doing the homework more than it is the actual "homework". Granted, there will be times when they struggle with some of the work and I have to find that balance between trying to help him without giving him the answer, as I am sure he would love for me to do. lol I am sure most of you can relate to that delimma, lol I don't remember there being so much homework when I was in elementary school. However, during middle school and high school, the amount of homework doubled, if not tripled and became much more difficult. Therefore, I think the amount of homework that is placed on my boys now while they are in elementary school is laying the foundation and preparing them for what is to come in middle and high school and if they learn to put their school and homework first and make doing their homework their top priority, they will have no problem keeping up in middle and high school when the volume of work increases and the work becomes that much harder on them.