To grade or not to grade…that is the question.  This is one of those topics where homeschoolers may have strong opinions one way or the other.  Some don’t like the hassle of taking grades.  Some work toward mastery of subjects, so they don’t see the point in taking grades.  Others feel that grades are one of the most important aspects of  school work.  If you don’t take grades, how do you know if your children are really learning?  So many opinions…and all of them are right.  It really comes down to personal preference.  So which way do I swing in this debate?  I am glad you asked.

I keep grades.  I didn’t at first, because we were working on a mastery program.  But I quickly changed my ways when I discovered the benefits to ME in keeping grades.

I quickly determined that I had fewer questions from friends and family about our homeschooling, if they knew we were keeping grades.  I was tired of questions about what I was teaching, so to save my sanity, I purchased Homeschool Tracker Plus.  This program allowed me to enter in the lessons I was teaching my son, and keep track of what I might need to for school records.  I liked it.  I felt empowered as an educator.

But I would have to say that the major turning point in our homeschool was when I began to take grades last year.  My son felt responsible for learning the lessons.  This year, I have upped it even more and began to send report cards quarterly through the mail.  I wanted him to take this seriously.  He loves getting that report card and sharing it with his Dad.  I decided that I liked mailing his official report card that the Homeschool Tracker Plus program generates for me, because it helps me to distinguish between my role as a teacher and a parent.  My husband is supportive in this, even though I could just hand it to him.  My son loves getting mail, so he loves getting something so important there as well.

It has been funny how the level of respect from extended family members has increased as well.  They know that I keep grades, and now the questions about homeschooling have stopped.  Even my family member who teaches professionally has been impressed and has commented that we are doing it right and obviously take it seriously.  Which I have to admit, is a teensy weensy bit nice.  It makes me feel better knowing that my capabilities are not being questioned anymore.

The other reason I began keeping grades is that I feel it is great practice for high school.  Transcripts used to scare me.  But now that I am in the habit of keeping grades, I am less worried about everything.  I know we will be just fine.

So what are your feelings on keeping grades?  Do you choose to or choose not to keep them?  Why or why not?

Welcome to the February 24, 2010 edition of a homeschooling carnival.

Photo by sanja gjenero, sxc.hu

I have once again edited out several spam type posts.

home education

Tiana Krenz presents The Whole World In His Hands posted at God Made, Home Grown

NerdMom presents Frugal Homeschooler: Purim posted at Nerd Family Things.

Susan Gaissert presents That’s Not School; That’s Home posted at The Expanding Life.

Peggy Stoppelmoor presents 50 Incredibly Weird Facts About the Human Body posted at BSN Program, saying, “Our bodies truly are amazing. You might be surprised at what your body is capable of after reading these 50 weird facts about the human body.”

family

Rachel Lynette presents 8 Ways Not to Say No posted at Minds in Bloom.

technology and higher learning

Lane Donaldson presents 7 Reasons You Should Consider an Online School posted at Online School.

Herbert Aitken presents 25 Most Famous College Professors Teaching Today posted at College Stats.org, saying, “You might also want to learn more about the professors who teach at the school of your choice. Are they published? Is their work cited in other scholarly publications? Are they famous — perhaps, even infamous?”

Gracyqueen presents 50 Free Career Aptitude Tests That Everyone Should Take posted at AccreditedOnlineColleges.org.

Ally Peterson presents The Ultimate Guide to SAT Test Statistics posted at College Stats.org, saying, “The SAT is owned, published and developed by the College Board, which is a non-profit organization that claims the SAT can determine whether or not a person is ready for college. But, how valid is this test, and how well do you need to score to enter the college of your choice. Even further — do you really need to take the SAT?”

Diana Diego presents Which College Scholarships Are Easy to Get? We Have the Data posted at College Stats.org, saying, “There are loads of scholarships available to students who need a little extra cash to pay for their expenses, some of those scholarships are actually pretty easy to get.”

Rowena Hebert presents 100 Video Sites Every Educator Should Bookmark posted at AccreditedOnlineColleges.org.

That concludes this edition. Submit your blog article to the next edition of a homeschooling carnival using our carnival submission form. The next edition of a homeschooling carnival will be available on March 10, 2010.

Technorati tags:

a homeschooling carnival, blog carnival.

Welcome to the February 10, 2010 edition of a homeschooling carnival.

Photo by sanja gjenero, sxc.hu

I had to eliminate a lot of spam postings again.  I am revising the categories a bit in the hopes that this will eliminate some of them.  Thank you for your patience and contributions!

education

Linda Lichtenstein presents Student Success Resolution #3: Find a Work Space | posted at Colleen Palat.

Dana presents Fervor over learning styles a waste of time and money? posted at Roscommon Acres.

Janna Rudolph presents 7 Must-Read Books About Special Education posted at Masters in Special Education.

Joni Richter presents 10 Famous Teachers Who Changed the World posted at Masters in Teaching.

Glory Scott presents How to: Research the Web Like a Librarian Does posted at Masters in History, saying, “One of the benefits of being naturally able to research, hunt down, compartmentalize and cubbyhole information is that you are a cinch for a librarian’s job.”

Sophia Nelson presents 50 Brain Facts Every Educator Should Know posted at Associate Degree – Facts and Information.

Rose King presents Top 10 Myths About Homeschool–Debunked posted at Online Degree Programs.org.

NerdMom presents Starting to Homeschool: Academics posted at Nerd Family.

family

Rachel Lynette presents Blokus 3D – A Chip off the Old Blok posted at Minds in Bloom

Steven and Debra presents Are YOU a Hoarder? Are You Sure? (Part I of a Four Part Series) posted at The END TIMES Hoax, saying, “The answer to the title question may surprise you.”

Kerry Fletcher presents How to make a candy topiary posted at Examiner.

That concludes this edition. Submit your blog article to the next edition of a homeschooling carnival using our carnival submission form. The next edition of a homeschooling carnival will be available on February 10, 2010.