I believe that the purpose of homework is to reinforce the lessons learned from daily classroom activities.  Homework is given to students for two main reasons.  One is that it provides a way for me to determine whether or not students understand the material that was presented during class time and allows me to adjust the next day's lesson to ensure that all students are progressing at a steady pace.  Secondly, homework teaches students about organization and responsibility which are skills that are especially necessary as students' progress into middle school.  

My belief is that parents should schedule a regular time for students to complete their daily homework and keep to the schedule as much as possible.  This will help students to learn the organizational skills that are necessary to stay on top of their work.  I do not attempt to put a definite time limit on the amount of homework students are given daily because all students are different and complete their work at different paces  - what takes one student 10 minutes to complete could take another student 30 minutes to complete.  Therefore I believe it is the parent's discretion to see that their child is working an appropriate amount of time on their homework everyday. 

Sometimes your child may be working on a homework assignment that is difficult for them.  Perhaps they thought they understood how to complete the assignment however when they got home they realized that they didn't quite understand it.  My policy is that parents should try to assist their child with the assignment as best as they can.  Have your child attempt to complete the homework to the best of their ability.  However, do not let your child sit and struggle for a long time as this just leads to frustration which is not my intention with homework.  In fact, it's quite the opposite.  Remember, homework is the way for me as the teacher to determine whether or not your child understood the assignment.    

Instead,  allow your child to attempt the assignment and complete as much as they can.  A parent can sign the homework assignment and/or write me a quick note indicating that their child tried but could not complete the assignment due to a lack of understanding.  Your child's homework grade will not be adversely affected.  Homework is graded in class and all students are given a chance to correct homework.  Sometimes corrections can be done in class and other times corrections are given back to the student to complete at home.