I am planning on doing some notebooking projects as well as lapbooks. I like these concepts for showing what a child has learned. But am not sure how to grade them. As I have some expectations or hopes of what my daughter gets out of each lesson I am not locked into it as I want her just to learn so I am looking more on what she gets out of each piece of learning. Obviously grammar, spelling, and neatness is important so these things effect a grade but am curious as to how those of you that do notebooking regularly grade these projects. Do you have a rubric or do you have your children have at it and present you with their imagination piece? If you have anything to share I would greatly appreciate it.
Why do you feel the need to grade them? I really feel grades are silly in a homeschooled environment. You are working one on one with your student. You know if they have grasped a concept or not, if not you stay put until they do. If something needs fixed, it gets fixed.… sloppy? write it over, spelled wrong? fix it, poor grammar? work to make it better.
I agree with Crazy. Depending on their ages, don't worry about grades. The only time it "really matters" is in High School (or in middle school, if they're taking classes such as language or higher math that go on transcripts.) Believe me (speaking from experience here!) KEEP TRACK AS YOU GO and it makes doing high school transcripts for college MUCH easier!!!
Lapbooks and Notebooking are ways to teach kids a skill in my opinion. I would not worry about grading them. The key is for them to learn how to gather the important information.
I like having grades. So we do tests and grades. I use a Rubic with points for spelling, grammar, content, and neatness. It gives my kids an exact idea in writing of what I'm looking for, so they can't come back and say I didn't know. And they always like to do better than before, so it gives them something concrete to strive for. It helps us keep track of their progress easier. At least it works for us.
I need grades because of the type of homeschooling program we are in. We are attached to an accredited public school, so they require much of our assignments to be graded.
That doesn't make sense. Are you sort of a cyber-school then? I really wouldn't stress it. If they do it and do it mostly well, give them an A.
No it's a public school that offers a home school alternativec but we still have to submit grades once a month. We are allowed to choose our curriculum and everything. To a certain degree. If we want christiAn curriculum we have to buy it but we can use it. They have some suggestions and guidelines but we have most of the say. They just require grades. We are in Alaska. A lot of rural families use this option rather than having to transport children 50 miles or more every day in subzero temperatures.
Sorry, this has nothing to do with your question but- we are in the same state! I go through a state-wide program and I just have to turn in 'grades' twice a year- so you are obvioulsy going through a local program? They (state wide) are so easy-going about it too, can't imagine turning in grades every month! If you ever decide it is too much, maybe look into our state wide programs?? Good luck!
I see. So you are actually public school students who use (kinda) your own curriculum, and are doing it at home!!! OK, I think I got that ! Well, if you are under their regulations, then you do what they want (ie: grades). The biggest thing is to not stress over it.
I am definitely not stressing I was just wondering how people choose to grade notebooking projects. I will just treat it like a report.