Where I'm from in elementary schools the only work given has homework during the school week was 10 spellings and multiplication tables for tests on Fridays (up to age 11). I do remember getting some Spring Break type projects though - as we didn't have other homework the rest of the time it seemed o.k and kind of fun. I'm pretty certain extra time was given if someone went on vacation, and I'm certain they didn't have a grade assigned. Different times, different places. Maybe it's the school week homework that is ridiculous.
