Ever wonder if you’re grading too nicely, or if you should have your child redo an assignment? Lesha Myers, author of the book Making the Grade, will address these questions on today’s Home School Heartbeat with host Mike Smith.
Mike Smith:
Lesha, in your book you talk about the difficulty some parents have evaluating their own children’s schoolwork. How did you overcome these feelings of inadequacy, yourself?
Lesha Myers:
I have to be honest with you, Mike, and admit I never completely did; I always considered myself a work in progress. But, the first thing I did is I gave myself permission to experiment, and that way, I didn’t need to be “the expert.” I also could unhitch my mind to the idea that my grading methods had to be the same as the methods that my teachers used for me. Some classroom models work really well in the homeschool setting and others don’t. So, I needed to try out different methods until I found one that worked for me, for my children, and the subject. And one of the things that I realized about the way that I tend to grade is that I did it way too soon. I didn’t give my children time to learn a lesson before I evaluated them. Sometimes I had to throw out the bad grade, re-teach, and try again. But finally, I had to come to the realization that my confidence comes from the Lord. Ultimately, it’s His school, it’s His children, it’s His plan, and I don’t have to worry, because He is completely adequate, even if I am not.
Mike:
Lesha, thank you for that great advice. And until next time, I’m Mike Smith.
