HW - middle school

[Anonymous]

We go to a catholic k-8 in VA. My 6th grader is doing 1-2 hrs of HW every night - closer to 2 most. We’re new to this - is this normal?

[Anonymous]

For us yes.

[Anonymous]

We attended a k-8 private in Maryland and by 6th and it was about 1 hour of homework a night, sometimes a little more around projects or crunch time. The school said they aimed for about 10 min of homework time per grade and that mostly held up.

[Anonymous]

Yes. And beneficial.

[Anonymous]

Not uncommon. I think it also takes time for kids new to the workload to get efficient at it. Better to work through it now than in high school.

[Anonymous]

Should be about an hour in 6th: https://www.nea.org/professional-excellence/student-engagement/tools-tips/how-much-homework-too-much

[Anonymous]

It was way less for my MS in an independent K-12. An hour would have been a heavy night.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Should be about an hour in 6th: https://www.nea.org/professional-excellence/student-engagement/tools-tips/how-much-homework-too-much

No, it "should" not be an hour in 6th. Many schools follow a guideline of no more than 10 minutes per grade. This guideline is not based on any kind of research. Someone just made it up and it stuck.

In fact, all the research points to the fact that homework provides no benefits-- and in fact has negative impacts-- until high school, where the benefits are marginal at best.

[Anonymous]

Yes, 6th was a huge homework transition. Def 1-2 hours for public. Mine wasn't great at moving quickly but it’s a skill they need to learn. Setting a timer for 20 min then one for a 10 min break and repeat cycle helped keep the focus and keep them moving. Now in 7th and homework is even a bit more some days (now in private) but being efficient is really what helps.