Forgot to mention, I teach 7th grade.
There's a world of difference between a 7th grader and a 1st grader.
I think the only homework a young child should have is reading with his/her parents every night.
Starting in about 2nd grade, I could also see a spelling list that the kids have a test on once a week. Let the parents and kid decide the best way to study the words.
I would probably have a math test once a week, and have some worksheets that are optional. If the kid understands the work, he doesn't need the worksheets. However, some kids might need some extra practice.
When kids can read (3rd or 4th grade), then you start giving them some book reports like once a month.
By 7th grade, kids can handle a lot more. They don't need as much sleep as the younger kids.
My middle school son is still in public school. The one thing that really irritates me is that his school starts at 9:30 am. He doesn't even need to go to sleep until 11 to get enough sleep.
His 9 year old sisters' school starts at 8:30am. They need more sleep than him, and they have to start earlier. They really need to be asleep by 9, but he ends up bugging them (and me and his dad).
I really wish that school started at 8am for him. He could go to bed about the same time as his sisters then.