Homework Strike..

I remember the 4th grade very well. I went to a small private school and my teacher was Mrs. Key. The biggest issue I had in 4th grade was the fact that out of our class of 18, there were only 5 girls. I vividly recally Mrs. Key taking the girls outside and talking to us about "why couldn't we just get along"!!! LOL Oh how I wish that was all I had to deal with now. Don't get me wrong...I really like the twins school. I have no problem with the teachers or the students, or the PTA. It is great. My problem is the amount of homework and tests. I just don't remember my mom having to sit with me and go over everything. I don't remember going home and putting my math workbook in front of my mom and saying " help me I don't get this". I am perfectly willing to answer questions and assist in the work, but what I am having a hard time with is the VOLUME of work. A typical day will consist of at least 3 written assignments and then there are anywhere between 4-6 tests per week. They also have to read 400 pages a month and do a book report. This month they had to do an ORAL "famous person" book report and that included dressing up like the person they chose. I stressed about that but thankfully I was able to convince Madeline that Annie Oakley was alot easier then Betsy Ross!!! ;) Please understand, I don't expect my children to have no homework, but I do think that they should not be spending over an hr on the work and then having tests on top of that. A typical Thursday for me involves the twins having a total of about 7 tests the next day. Do you know how hard that is? I know this is only going to get worse, and I for one am not looking forward to it. In fact, I am in total countdown mode until summer vacation. I can't wait to scream " no more pencils no more books....!