Flexibility in Grading

When I was a professor, I didn't always assess traditionally. There was always an element of nontraditional assessment in addition to my very traditional ways of essays, short answers, and multiple-choice tests. Sometimes I assessed classroom participation and I combined that with test grades. Other times, I assigned papers. Sometimes, a project was the assessment. What about homeschool?

When a subject requires traditional assessment, I go with it. I have done the most traditional assessments in science, math, and history. However, I have also done nontraditional assessments in these areas! I might use cartoons or family movies to apply information the children learn, as I can find them. For example, after we studied South American history, we watched the newer Dora the Explorer movie. The kids and I pointed out archeological findings that were accurate (or not) and flora and fauna that were accurately or inaccurately portrayed. We had a great time, but I also saw just how much they had learned! I was genuinely surprised at their depth of learning!

Another way to know kids are learning is to pay attention to the questions they ask. Our dinner table is sometimes littered with kiddos telling Dad what they learned that day, but it is more often littered with questions. These questions show just how deeply they are thinking about the topics explored. It is not unusual to say, "ask Google," during dinner. Dinner-time discussions of academic material provide an assessment of what the kids have learned and a new learning opportunity. Win-win!

This is most relevant to young children, but observing how children incorporate ideas into their play is a way to assess learning. I have often found what we discussed being applied to play or even child-to-child conversation. Maybe a child learns a song about photosynthesis and they act out a song later. Maybe a child learns about Benjamin Franklin and then points out when a cartoon makes a historically inaccurate portrayal of him. A child might use toys to portray the metamorphosis of a butterfly.

Finally, projects can be huge assessments of learning. (Projects can be great for everyone, but especially good for children with specific learning disabilities or ADHD who may not excel with traditional testing). What if child uses new botanical knowledge to plant and harvest a garden in the back yard? What if a teen uses new botanical knowledge to harvest wild plantain and use it medicinally with success? Those are assessments! Maybe a child learns how to cook for health class or even creates their own culinary arts class by checking out cookbooks from the library and trying out new recipes throughout the year? Assessment is naturally built into the experiences of success or challenges of these real-world projects.

Take heart if you hate traditional assessment. There are so many ways to assess learning! I hope you now feel even a little bit empowered to explore the ways that best suit you and your students (within the confines of your state law).