How much is too much homework for my 2nd grader?

I have two 2nd graders, one tested as a skill level much higher and as a result was put in an accelerated course. However, she works at her own pace. They both receive homework packets (12-15 pages due on Friday). In addition to that there is reading, math.. and for the accelerated the math often had 50 problems or more... the accelerated gets 2-4 pages extra...long story short it takes her about two hours + to complete her homework... What should I do?

Parent Answers to "How much is too much homework for my 2nd grader?"

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I'd suggest getting hold of a book called The Homework Myth - if you have time. That said, how are your children's teachers? Are they approachable? Some teachers are and others are not.
For there's a great deal of discussion about homework in the world of education - and most schools and teachers these days are giving a lot of it. Some schools have a rule - 10 minutes per subject per night for example and in middle school 20 -30 minutes per subject per night. Some schools require homework, others don't.
As a teacher I found homework to hurt more children than it helped. And I'd say this - any one homework assignment can never be the right assignment for every child in the room any more than one prescription of an antibiotic would be the right prescription for every child in a doctor's office.
But no teacher can individualize for every child every day and night so - your child and many others can have too much or the wrong homework for their own idividual needs. Perhaps your daughter in the accelerated program would be better placed in the regular program despite her abilities. If the teachers are approachable, you could try talking with them. If they're not - and not every teacher is - it sometimes comes down to generously helping our children with homework so they don't fall behind or get overwhelmed. Some teachers and some other parents will say that two hours of homework are night are 'character building' but this TeacherParent thinks two hours of homework a night for a second grader are simply too much homework.

The general rule of thumb, is that homework should take 10 minutes per grade level, plus reading. Certainly an accelerated child could complete more work than a child in general ed unless that work is correspondingly more difficult.

Do you know what the other parents are thinking of all this?

I think the place to start is with the teacher. Discuss how this is too stressful for such a small child and making school a negative experience. If the teacher balks, get together with some other parents and then present the problem as a group. One complainer can be viewed as a crackpot, but several with the same message must be taken seriously. If the teacher still sticks to her guns, take the problem to the principal.

I have an intelligent daughter that is in 1st grade. All of her combined work on a daily basis is about 4-6 pages a day plus reading. This seems to be about the same amount of work as your child. It probably takes my daughter about 45 minutes to finish the homework then she reads for about 20-30 minutes. Now, my daughter is only in first grade, so your daughters work is obviously harder, but maybe she just works slowly but very efficiently. Most children that are above average need to be challenged. Does she get frustrated that it takes too long? I would talk to her teacher and see what she says. I think getting children in the routine of doing homework in elementary school, helps prepare them for junior high and high school, but you don't want her to get too frustrated and hate school.

If i understand you correctly , she has 1 packet of 12 -15 pages--PLUS, she is bringing, 2 hours of homework a night also. If i have that right that does sound like a lot! How you child feel about it? You other child- what kind of homework does she/ he have?

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