Celia,
I don't think time is the best measure for homework since it takes different children different lengths of time to do the same amount of work. My daughter (2nd grade) often completes her homework in a few short minutes while it takes other children in her class longer to do the same assignment. Gifted kids can usually get through their homework pretty quickly.
I'm not a big homework fan anyway. I figure kids spend 7 hours a day in school why not do something different when they get home. I choose to provide after-school challenges for my daughter through activities such as music and art. I think she has learned more about the value of applying herself through having to practice her piano than through doing homework. The piano is harder for her. Sometimes even a good educational adventure game can provide her more of a challenge than a homework assignment.
