If your third grader is doing this independently and well, s/he should be spending a maximum of 50 minutes per day on homework. I understand that there will be times when that is impossible. In those cases, I suggest that the reading portion be the last thing to be skipped.
*Every third grader should be reading or being read to for 30 minutes. Generic conversation starters will be distributed at Curriculum Night. If you need another copy, please let me know.
*Every third grader should be practicing the recorder 10 minutes daily.
*Every third grader should be practicing math facts as outlined below:
Weekly Reading Logs are always available for families who like using them. WeekendReading Logs are available to record the time spent reading on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. A total of 1.5 hours is recommended. The Reading Log is optional although always available. Weekend reading should be a well-established routine. If your family would like a hard copy to record reading, remind your child to pick one up from the tray on Monday for the week and Friday for the weekend.
Use these ideas to REALLY learn your add/sub facts;
later we'll do the same with multiplication!
*5 to 10 minutes per day*
*narrow the scope (a few facts per day)*
*over-learn*
use flashcards
study with a friend
learn the facts one group at a time
play Pass the Ball: first person asks a fact while passing the ball and other player answers the fact when returning it
use a fact chart made by you!
play on-line drills
practice facts you don't know first
use skip counting to help you
A Parent's Part in Motivating Independent Reading by Rob Furman
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/rob-furman/a-parents-part-in-motivat_b_2784016.html
The Effects of Independent Reading on Reading Achievement
http://www.eduplace.com/rdg/res/literacy/in_read1.html
Comprehension
Sometimes the content of the book makes it too hard. To choose a book that is "just right" answer yes to most of the questions below:
"Just Right" Books:
1. Is this book new to you?
2. Do you understand a lot of the book?
3. Are there just a few words on a page that you don't know?
4. When you read, are some places smooth and some choppy?
It is "Too Easy" if you answer yes to the following:
1. have you read it lots of times before?
2. do you understand the story really well?
3. Do you know almost every word?
4. Can you read it smoothly?
5. Does it have a picture on every page?
It is "Too Hard" if you answer yes to the following:
1. Are there more than 5 words on a page that you don't know?
2. Are you confused about what is happening in most of this book?
3. When you read, does it sound very choppy?
4. Is everyone else busy and unable to help you?