Monday, March 1, 2010

To grade or not to grade . . .

. . . that is the question.

Or, at least, it's THIS WEEK'S BLOG CRUISE QUESTION.
If you would like to learn more about the Blog Cruise, click here.

I DO KEEP GRADES.  

Here in PA, we are required to have our children evaluated each year, in addition to turning in a portfolio of sample work to the school district.  I like to have our grades in the porfolios as well.  I tend to be a paperwork perfectionist; and like things to be "just so".  

That being said, I'm not a real "stickler" about our grades.  I'd much prefer to give the same spelling test 3 times  - working on it until all the words can be spelled correctly - rather than scoring an 80% (or whatever) and leaving a few words misspelled.  This is just an example, but I lean this way with all our subjects.  I'd much rather be assured that my children are learning and that they know the material; rather than just scoring a grade and leaving things misunderstood or unlearned. 

I think this is one of the perks of homeschooling.  In a classroom setting, the teacher doesn't have the liberty or the time to work through something until EACH STUDENT totally understands or knows the materials.  In homeschooling, we can do that! 

I'm curious to hear what YOU think about grades and how you handle them in your homeschool.  I hope you'll leave a comment with your thoughts!  If you'd like to know what other Crew member's are saying about grades, click here.  Be sure to check back next week when we share how we organize our homeschool space (or, in my case, lack thereof!)

6 comments:

Kathryn said...

In our state we are not required to keep records, or anything like that. But I like to do it, just because I like things "just so" as well. :) I don't do grades here though. We go over everything until the kids know it 100%, and then move on. That's the beauty of homeschool like you said. I love that we can take the time to do that. I do like that I keep records, so that if our state ever does change the homeschool requirements, I'm ready...there is talk of it, but nothing yet.

Kimberly said...

I hope you have a lovely day. I was just stopping by to see you.

I homeschooled my kids for preschool, but they attend a private school now.

Good luck with the grading.

Angie said...

Portfolio?? Evaluated?? Aak!

Here in Tennessee, we have an option to sign up under a Christian umbrella school, and that option means we do only what the umbrella school requires because the state doesn't technically know we're homeschoolers.

It's beautiful....

Great post!
Angie (from the Crew)

Debbie Phillips said...

I am so much more laid back than you Heidi. I do keep a portfolio though in DE we are not required to if we report to the state directly. We only have to sign a paper saying we completed 180 days with each student. I only keep grades for High School. We do strive for mastery in all our classes.

Great post.

maria said...

It sounds quite good and like some activity camp. I hope that I also can join in this camp. The article you have posted here is really very nice and it gives inspiration to do work like you.
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Jodi said...

I knew there was alot more required of PA homeschoolers. You'll have to tell me all about THAT one day ;) Great post! Looks like we share the same philosophy on this one!

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