19 Lessons I'll Share With You After 19 Years of Homeschooling - #4

#4 Children need to know their grade level.

Homeschooling allows you to customize your children's curriculum. This can be so beneficial. You can tailor your textbooks, workbooks, subjects, extra-curricular activities, and even grade levels to fit the needs of your child and your family. All in all, this is such a positive attribute of homeschooling.

However, even if you customize every aspect and every subject of your children's homeschooling program they need to know the answer to the question, "What grade are you in?"

It can be awkward and uncomfortable for your kids when they are questioned about their grade level and they can't give a definitive answer. I know it sounds great to be able to say, "We don't worry about grade levels." But let's face it, we all know about where are kids are academically. You know if they are reading at a 3rd, 5th, or 6th grade level. You know about what grade level they are working in math.

I'm not trying to box you in. You can give your kids an answer to hang their hat on and still retain the beauty of flexible grade levels. Even if you are doing unit studies with several grade levels, even if your child is working in several different subjects with different grade levels attached, and even if you don't have a clue as to what grade they were in last year, start now and assign them a grade level. Take an average of the levels of all of their subjects or give them a quick assessment test or just pick an age appropriate grade level. It can be a dual grade level like "5/6" or "6/7". 

So, life might be a little more comfortable for your children if you assign them a grade level. It's also motivating. They will be thrilled next spring when they advance to the next  grade, whatever that might mean for your family.

Comments

[Monica Jacobson]

I've been going back through the backlog of your tips, and I was surprised (perhaps I shouldn't have been) that my parents and you shared a very similar School plan. Calculadder, Mavis Beacon, daily piano, we did Saxon Math rather than Abeka, though Marty's parents did dabble with Abeka. I've stared my boys on Saxon 1 and 2, and they absolutely love it. It's extremely comprehensive.

We're also doing the "Story of the World" for history, which is a great overview to revisit every few years. The boys find it as interesting as a story book, which helps.

All that aside, I will definitely take your advice to heart -- and if you're on top of things, you have the benefit of being extremely encouraged when your kids are at or ahead of their grade, and are suitably chastised and encouraged to work harder if they're behind.

[momofnine]

Monica, I am so excited that you and Marty have started working with your boys. You are using terrific material. Your parents instilled a love for homeschooling in you. It will be a wonderful experience for you and your family because of your dedication and heart. Keep me posted as you travel down the wild wonderful world of homeschooling! ~Kathy