Rethinking Exams

We have been doing exams at the end of a term for the last 4 years. The exams have always consisted of me asking questions about what we've done through the term and the kids, narrating an answer or drawing a picture to explain.

At the end of this year, I started rethinking how we take exams. I really want my kids to be able to express themselves in lots of ways, to make representations of their thoughts, to really process what they've learned and apply it to their lives.

So after a weekend of writing exams, I scrapped the whole thing and started over. I began by looking at themes of the year. Not themes I choose, but themes of what we happened to learn and not just what I had planned. Rather everything...

Then my next consideration was how I wanted them to be able to express themselves. I came up with written responses, oral presentations, creative expression, and visual representations. I let them choose what they would do creatively...Jo-Jo loves cooking so that was one of hers. Ceesa loves pastels so that was one of hers.

Although the exams at the end of this term really didn't take less time, they really stretched the girls, highlighted their unique interests, and provided them with some experience in communicating their ideas in all sorts of ways.

Wishing you homeschool blessings,