What do you do when your child gets really struggles on daily work? It can be confusing! Let me suggest a few ideas. Check the curriculum, try to motivate kids to work more carefully, consider using a test to inform you on a grade, or provide a grade that reflects their poor scores. Karen asked a question about her son’s math, and you can see how those ideas work in the real world of real homeschooling.
HI Lee, I bought your book, Setting the Record Straight and want to ask what to do on my son’s records (age 14) when his math (Saxon) scores on his daily work are about a C- to D- grade, which he has to fix on his own and score 100% before he passes, but this is a consistent problem he is unable to correct. If I say he is an A or B grade because he self corrects and eventually gets 100%, that isn’t going to work w/ college because they only give 1 chance, and the truth will be known. I don’t test him–just give him daily work. What grade should I give him? I am confused and really think he might have some learning problems.
Thank you,
Karen
If your son is doing very poorly on daily work, then that may not be the best math program for him. I know that Saxon is rated very highly, but he will learn more if he uses a curriculum that’s a good FIT – even if it isn’t rated quite so highly. So check our my article on “Love of Math” and see if you can find a curriculum that’s a good fit for him.
For the Love of Math
If you believe the curriculum is a good fit for him, then you might want to try rewarding him for working carefully on his daily work. To do that, you ask him to do 1/2 the problems (odd numbers or even numbers.) If he gets a good percentage correct (say 90%) then he can skip the other problems. If he gets less that you want, then he needs to correct the problems he gets wrong and he needs to do the other half of the assignment.
Occasional tests can provide some college preparation. You’re right, in college you can’t just get a bunch of problems wrong all the time and still end up with a good grade. Colleges use a lot of bubble tests, so it’s important for kids to do well on simple tests. In fact, some of my friends with college kids tell me they wish they would have prepared their children for test situations. Not that you have to test every subject, but having a regular test in something like math can help kids figure out what tests are like, so they don’t become fearful.
If you are happy with your strategy and curriculum, and you just want some ideas about grading and how it will work when he gets in college, that’s a different issue. It’s hard to decide what an appropriate class grade will be for him. I think you’re best bet is to give him a test once in a while, so he know it “counts” and will actually help determine his grade for the class based on comprehension. Without a test, I think I would consider whether this level of math might not be too hard for him. With poor daily grades, the grade for the class is likely poor as well. Your goal is comprehension, of course, not a grade, but if daily work doesn’t show understanding, it won’t be a good grade. At the most, I would only increase his course grade slightly, perhaps by 1/2 a letter grade.
In general, focus on comprehension and mastery – not working at a certain speed. The grade isn’t as important as his understanding.
If you need any extra help, you will really appreciate my Gold Care Club, as well as lots of templates and tools that will help you along.
Related posts
- Born to Drive You Crazy!
- A Shameless Plug for Apologia Science
- Coping Through Not Cooking
- Follow-up on High School Science Labs
- Homeschool Transcript Not Necessary?
- NEWSFLASH! Teenagers can be hard to deal with!
- It Doesn't Happen Overnight
- "Man Gives Birth"...News at 11
- Creative Course Creations
- Homeschool High School: Fine Arts vs. Technology Credit
Christianbook.com Curriculum Page
Rebecca says:
I would also suggest making sure he knows his arithmetic facts well (or have him use a calculator) and have him write out every step to the problem. When I was in school, I failed algebra the first time I took it, simply due to errors in arithmetic and faulty reasoning due to skipping steps. I took the class again with a different teacher who required that we write out every single step in solving the problem, and that we check our arithmetic with a calculator, and I passed with a good solid B.
February 21st, 2012 at 11:09 am
Margaret says:
This post is very helpful and timely for me! But it brings up another question. You say: “In general, focus on comprehension and mastery – not working at a certain speed.” My son is struggling with algebra and it will take him longer than a typical academic year to complete it. Can I grant a credit for algebra if it takes him, say a full 12 months or even longer? Does a course have to be completed within an academic year to count for a credit? That is something I’ve never been clear on. Thanks!
Margaret´s last [type] ..A miscellaneous post
February 21st, 2012 at 5:42 pm
Lee says:
Margaret, you can give credit either by the book (1 textbook = 1 credit) or by giving 1 credit per year of work, perhaps calling it Algebra 1A and the next year Algebra 1B. for more information, see my free class on grades, credits, and transcripts here: http://www.thehomescholar.com/homeschool-transcripts-webinar.php
Blessings,
Lee
February 23rd, 2012 at 1:04 pm
Margaret says:
Lee, thank you so much! That is helpful.
Margaret´s last [type] ..A miscellaneous post
February 23rd, 2012 at 2:45 pm