Grading

[hopeofglory]

I don't give grades for most work, but I do like to give an actual grade along with feedback for tests. How do you assign points to the different types of questions (multiple choice, fill in the blank, identification, comprehension, etc) asked on any given test? Although I weigh comprehension questions greater than matching or word bank type questions, I feel like I'm arbitrarily doling out grades. Some of the curriculum (i.e. Christian Studies I) comes with a point system printed on the actual test, but most, so far in our homeschool journey, have not. Is this something that could be provided for tests in the future editions or updates?

[pickandgrin]

Re: Grading

Hello, just realized you are in China! Waving from the other side of the globe---

Could you let us know the ages of your children and for which subjects you are most curious? That will make a huge difference in what we chip in with.

Many thanks!

[hopeofglory]

Re: Grading

I've got a Jr. K, 1st, 3rd, and 5th grader and we are just wrapping up the school year.

I don't give grades for any of the younger kids, but my 5th grader appreciates having an actual grade on his tests, especially his final tests that he's taking at the end of the year. We don't fret much over quizzes or tests throughout the year; I mark them and he makes corrections and knows those are areas he needs more review on. I'm not required to keep or report grades to anyone so it's really just for "fun" but I suppose I'm asking because I do want it to be a fair measure.

Subjects of interest are Latin & Famous Men of Rome. Many of the others like math, geography, spelling, etc. are straightforward and easier to figure out, in my opinion.

[pickandgrin]

Re: Grading

My Latin philosophy is give as many points as you can, acknowledging everything they do know. I think I found about 405 on the final exam! I'm sure you'll get more specifics, but that's a start.

[SaintJude7]

Re: Grading

I don't give grades, other than perhaps, "That essay was about a C+. You need to rewrite it." Or, "Wow, that was A+ work." They have friends who attend public school, so they know the A, B, C, D, F scale.
If they get something wrong, they have to correct it. They can't move on until they master a subject. I'll even make them repeat a subject (summer school), if I don't see mastery. No student wants to repeat Algebra II. I didn't think my fourth grader had really absorbed First Form Latin with instant recall of the grammar. Since we homeschool year-round, I bought her a second workbook and had her repeat the whole course.
For my daughter's high school transcript, I just wrote down grades that were commensurate with her level of performance. I held onto the essays, some assignments, and final exams as a portfolio, in case I needed them. All the colleges cared about were her PSAT, SAT, and ACT scores, not the "mom grades."

Blessings,
Jude

DD 20, DS 17, DS 14, DS 12, DD 10, DS 7, DD 5

[jen1134]

Re: Grading

For Latin, I count each entry that needs to be made and then divide 100 by the total to get the number of points each entry is worth. So if there are 65 entries on a quiz/test, I would divide 100 by 65 and get 1.53 so each entry will be worth 2pts (I always round the decimals to the nearest whole number). Here's how I determine the number of entries in Latin:

Each partof a "dictionary form" vocabulary section (word, genitive singular (or adjective) ending, and gender) counts as one entry.
Translation sentences and Latin sayings each count as one entry
Each cell of a conjugation/declension table counts as one entry

And so on...

For Famous Men, Greek Myths, etc. I count each vocabulary/matching as one entry. The Short Answer/Comprehension Questions often have multiple questions within them so I count each part as one entry. If the question really is only one question, then it only counts as one entry. An alternative way to do the Short Answer/Comp. questions is to count each question as 3 or 5 entries regardless of whether they are single or multi-part questions.

For maps, I count placement as one entry and significance as one entry.

HTH!

[Mom2mthj]

Re: Grading

I usually don't give the tests for the famous men books or literature, but I do test and grade Latin and geography.

Latin- when I took the second form class at Sodalitas last summer the teacher said she gives one point for vocabulary and it is all or nothing. Charts and fill in the blank were one point per blank spot and translations she counted it worth as many points as it took words to express it in Latin regardless of whether it was Latin to English or English to Latin.

Geography - for states and capitals I usually try to give one point for locating it correctly on the map, one point for spelling each word and one point for putting the right capital with the right state.

[mamathompson]

Re: Grading

My children enjoy having a grade. I was just working on catching up some grading this weekend and thinking how nice it would be if all of the tests and quizzes had points available listed on them.

[Michael]

Re: Grading

Good morning,

We have begun adding grading suggestions to the Forms series for those who want more guidance. I have quoted them below.

The following are suggestions only. Feel free to modify them according to the needs of your student(s).

Vocabulary: For simple vocabulary entries, 1 point for English to Latin and 2 points for Latin to English.

Declensions/Conjugations: 1 point per form.

Fill in the Blank/Grammar: 1 point for each blank line or space in a chart. A particularly long answer could be worth multiple points at the teacher's discretion.

Translation: Do not be too harsh on this section. Mastery of forms and vocabulary is most important. A good ballpark is 2 points for a correct translation, 1 point if there are only a few minor mistakes, and 0 if left blank or completely wrong.

Latin Sayings: When there is a section with multiple review sayings on a quiz or test, 1 point per saying. For new sayings (usually included under the "Translation" section), grade as you would other translations.

Final Grade: Divide the points earned by the points possible, then multiply the answer by 100 to get a percentage out of 100 (e.g., 27 points earned / 31 points possible = .87 x 100 = 87%).

HTH!