So my son was an A student in private school. I mean he was in 2nd grade so we did expect As and so did he. I think I had the vision that when we homeschooled he would not make mistakes because he would know it "better" than in school. We are using Abeka - same as we used in Private School and we love it. He IS getting As on the tests - but I do get frustrated when he misses simple things. So he has gotten a 94 and a 93 in Language and Math for the first tests. 100s in spelling and he does great with reading. I need to let go of expectations of perfection correct? a 93-94 still means he knows the material? Do I make him correct every problem he misses in his daily worksheets? How do you ladies handle these things? Sorry - I am new at this.
Yep, I would say anything above 80 means a sufficient grasp of the concepts. Homeschool does not mean perfection. If my students score below 80 we review and do it over and test again (most of the time), OR if it's "close enough", I'll give them a chance to redo any missed items without looking back or getting any additional help. If it's now correct on the second try, I'll give back half the points for that question. If they get above 80 (even 80 or 81), we move on. My grade scale (IF I used letter grades, which I don't) would be 94-100 = A, 87 - 93 = B, 86-80 = C, below 80 = unsatisfactory.
Are you required to send in grades? I've never graded any of my kids stuff, ds usually ask for a letter grade in red pen at the top of his paper, but I think that's just because he thinks it looks more official.LOL But other than that, since I'm working right next to them, I know whether or not they are "getting" it. We just work on it till I feel comfortable that they know it, then move on when they do. Missing one or two is usually just an indicator that they got careless or in a hurry. Perfection is not a requirement, loving and learning the material is.
No - not required to do anything. We are in TX home of the free Anyway I think it is more my issue than his. You know what I mean? I am a perfectionist. Trying not to pass that trait on to the next generation. I am more worried about him Knowing things well - but those 100s sure make me feel good. ha!
Even adults make mistakes and they are much more mature (usually) and more aware of how the world works than kids, of course kids will make mistakes! We don't do grades either, my kids get 100 on everything because if they miss it we go back over it and discuss it, if they still don't get it we come back to it later, sometimes it's a maturity issue. 93-94 is NOTHING to be worried about! Relax and enjoy your time with your son!
On my DS's daily work, we go over every question that he misses, just to ensure that he knows the material, and is not making mistakes because he just doesn't get it. Most of the time, he is just being careless/getting distracted. On tests, we still go over the questions he misses, but I don't change grades. IF he gets a low score (which almost never happens), below an 80, then I will sometimes give him another test, if I KNOW that he knows the material, but if he is really struggling, then we will go over the material all over again. I also give him an incentive to try hard, if he ever gets a 100%, then he gets a special treat. It keeps him wanting to strive, which is always a good thing. I don't "expect" 100's, but I want him to try his hardest, and most of the time, I think he is capable of achieving that score, he just has a hard time sometimes with following directions/checking his work and really focusing.
I have two children who are perfectionists. I could be considered one too. If your son was getting 100 then the work was too easy. I'd even say that if he is getting 93 and 94 that the work is too easy. 80% is proficient and more along the lines of working at the correct level, imho. That said, I rarely use grades or percentages. If your son has a tendency for perfectionism I would definitely make the work more difficult and lower your expectations for a perfect score. Practice saying "that's good enough" when your son scores 93 on a test or when he turns in a paper that isn't perfect. Richard Rusczyk (from Art of Problem Solving) said this in a lecture/talk
Hi, fellow perfectionist here! I have found my son is usually very, very good in schooling. When he does miss some things, I am taken back as well! I am guilty of harping on him at times in the past, but have let that go, because he is very smart and homeschooling doesn't = perfect grades all the time. I also don't "grade" his work. This past week he has whizzed through math, and gotten nearly everything with no problem, but this is also review from this past year, so I imagine in the weeks ahead, learning will be more challenging! Sounds like your son is doing just fine!
I encourage my kids to be 'B' students. I was an A student throughout school, but never really learned anything. If you're getting all A's, the material is too easy. If you're getting C's, it's a little over your head. If you're getting B's you're properly challenged and grasping the material well enough to move ahead.
I would be very happy with that. I would not want to train another perfectionist. I would not have them do corrections if there that few mistakes. Instead, I would mention the type of mistakes I found to them. Example, Great job that was an almost perfect score, your only mistakes were with carrying, keep an eye on that. I my students were consistently getting such high scores on well contructed tests, I would cut a portion of each problem set, then double up on lessons until they became challenged. It they consistently could do long division correctly, for exmaple, I would only give them a problem or two for refresher and move on every time it came up.
Even perfect scores of 100 can be misleading. Why? Because I could get very good grades in high school history (public school). I don't know how many 100's I received, but I know I usually made A's on my report card. BUT, I would have been hard pressed to remember ANYthing a week or two after the test. So, I don't really think I "learned" a whole lot. Knowledge is built slowly, concept upon concept. There is also a lot of repetition. That is good news. What he doesn't get now, he might get later. What he sort of understands now, will be seen again and his retention will be greater. Also, most adults would have a hard time earning perfect scores.
Learning means challenges, which require the real risk of failure. If your child is used to getting 100%, they are working below their level. Pick work that requires stretching their abilities. Then look at the effort and improvement of the child as much as the final score.
You have to look at mistakes as feedback. Scores can be so misleading so I look for various ways to gage my ds. Of course students need to know how to pass exams with high scores but like some others have stated if your kid is acing everything maybe the currc. is too easy. The only way to really know where your child is standing is by staying engaged and assessing their skills frequently- I like small pop quizzes myself to test my ds...
