It takes only a few minutes to see that--even in the most well managed classrooms--one on one attention is impossible to achieve. Some students can pick up the material quickly. Some get to sit in the front row so they can see and hear clearly. Some go to break out lessons for remediation or advancement. And some fall some where else.
Homework is an insurance policy that will help you make sure that your child does not fall through the cracks. It is your opportunity to see what your child is learning in the classroom and help him navigate the content and concepts that are the building block for future learning. Homework can solidify any topics that seem a little fuzzy, and hopefully it can help clarify any miscommunications that have taken place.
So what is an appropriate amount? Of course it depends upon the age of the student and the subject matter that is being covered. In early elementary (kindergarten through second grade) 30 minutes covering phonics skills, numeracy or other early math concepts is a good thing to have every few days. Once your child gets to third grade, expect 30- 45 minutes a day. In fourth and fifth grade, you should not be shocked if your child has 45 minutes to an hour. Additionally, free reading should take place 20-30 minutes per day. This is a chance for your child to pick any book that interests him in that moment. Beyond elementary, expect 30 to 40 minutes for core subjects like math, language arts, science and social studies. Add a foreign language and your child can expect two and a half to three and a half hours. In high school, three hours or more is normal.
Is this a good thing? It’s up to you and your student. What are their interests and talents? In middle school and high school, it’s time to ask the hard questions. Is my child a talented enough gymnast? ...singer? ...actor? ...ice skater?...football player? (you fill in the blank) to warrant the amount of time and energy these activities take? Or is it more likely that their livelihood will use another talent supported by academic interests that they would learn in a traditional school setting? Are you all willing to run the risk of being a small fish in a big pond?
These are some things to think about as you determine the role homework should/ should not play in your child’s life. In my next blog post, I will address what material homework should cover and the types of homework, as well as what to do if you don’t understand a concept.