FACT: Homework is a necessary part of figuring out what you are able to do on your own and away from class work. Homework reinforces what you learned earlier in the day, and reactivates that part of your brain. Your brain may have to work a little harder to remember, but once you have recalled what you did in class, you will also be able to discuss and make better progress the next day in class :) Moreover, each day we add something new to what we learned the day before. So if you don't do your job, how will I be able to do mine?
Your child should be maintaining a homework notebook to copy assignments listed by his or her teacher. This way, homework is always in one place and helps build organizational skills for your child.
Chicago Public School Homework Policy - Some of these time amounts may be outdated - still checking...
Kindergarten receives 15 minutes of homework daily.
Grades 1-3 receive 30 minutes of homework daily.
Grades 4-6 receive 120 minutes of homework weekly.
Seventh grade receives 90 minutes (an hour and a half) of homework daily.
Eighth grade receives 90 minutes (an hour and a half) of homework daily.
Ninth grade receives 120 minutes (2 hours ) of homework daily.
The benefits of homework to students are: learning responsibility, reinforcement, increased self-esteem, and a sense of accomplishment.
Children need encouragement and support from their parents. Talk to your child and ask questions about what they did in school today. Check your child's homework while they are working on it in a quiet area of the home. Praise them for their hard work and effort. Display their good work on your refrigerator, too. Yes, even 7th and 8th graders appreciate that :)
Here's a list of helpful interactive websites to exercise your brain:
MATH -
SCIENCE -
http://illiniweather.com/pages/kids_weather_links.htm
http://kids.niehs.nih.gov/recycle.htm
http://www.socialstudiesforkids.com/subjects/funandgames.htm
LANGUAGE ARTS GAMES
http://www.kidzone.ws/cursive/index.htm
Also, have your child work on www.studyisland.com in a different section for 30 minutes to an hour nightly.