TESTED | Homeschool 2.0 http://homeschool2point0.com/2007/10/tested/ Thu, 20 Nov 2008 23:37:29 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.2.2 TESTED | Homeschool 2.0 http://homeschool2point0.com/2007/10/tested/#comment-132 Narda Sat, 06 Oct 2007 17:39:57 +0000 http://homeschool2point0.com/2007/10/tested/#comment-132 This amply demonstrates some truths about homeschooling! As a Mom and certified teacher who teaches through a charter school, I recognize both the situation of "teaching for the test" (teacher hat), as well as "teaching where they're at" (homeschool Mom hat). It is quite a pholosophical struggle to find a happy medium. I have an adopted son with learning challenges for whom the annual tests are an exercise in futility. My only consolation is that if he is in the 4th percentile in grade 4 and then again in grade 5, he DID demonstrate about one year's progress. As a homeschooler, I am free to adapt his instruction to his ability level, which I do. The flipside I discovered when I learned that science (my area of certification) was going to be included on the state mandated annual tests. My immediate reaction was to go find out what the students would be tested on and be sure I included those topics. I temporarily considered dumping a curriculum that approaches science from a topical perspective for a textbook that would ensure I covered the basics. Thankfully, I have the freedom to keep my chosen curriculum and I did. Finally, I am in absolute agreement with the notion that instruction needs to be intentionally guided by some standard (could be your state's standards, those of a curriculum publisher, or your own thoughtfully articulated and written down....). I do a better job of getting where I'm headed if I know where I'm going and have thought about how to get there! This amply demonstrates some truths about homeschooling! As a Mom and certified teacher who teaches through a charter school, I recognize both the situation of “teaching for the test” (teacher hat), as well as “teaching where they’re at” (homeschool Mom hat). It is quite a pholosophical struggle to find a happy medium.

I have an adopted son with learning challenges for whom the annual tests are an exercise in futility. My only consolation is that if he is in the 4th percentile in grade 4 and then again in grade 5, he DID demonstrate about one year’s progress. As a homeschooler, I am free to adapt his instruction to his ability level, which I do.

The flipside I discovered when I learned that science (my area of certification) was going to be included on the state mandated annual tests. My immediate reaction was to go find out what the students would be tested on and be sure I included those topics. I temporarily considered dumping a curriculum that approaches science from a topical perspective for a textbook that would ensure I covered the basics. Thankfully, I have the freedom to keep my chosen curriculum and I did.

Finally, I am in absolute agreement with the notion that instruction needs to be intentionally guided by some standard (could be your state’s standards, those of a curriculum publisher, or your own thoughtfully articulated and written down….).

I do a better job of getting where I’m headed if I know where I’m going and have thought about how to get there!

]]> TESTED | Homeschool 2.0 http://homeschool2point0.com/2007/10/tested/#comment-131 Daisy Sat, 06 Oct 2007 16:08:14 +0000 http://homeschool2point0.com/2007/10/tested/#comment-131 I live this situation every day. Despite my students' emerging level of English, and the corresponding low reading levels, I am forced to teach and test them at grade level. To get an idea of what this would feel like, imagine yourself being forced to read technical manuals and Ph.D. level texts in a field not your own. I can teach better if I am allowed to meet the children at their level and build on the skills from there. I live this situation every day. Despite my students’ emerging level of English, and the corresponding low reading levels, I am forced to teach and test them at grade level. To get an idea of what this would feel like, imagine yourself being forced to read technical manuals and Ph.D. level texts in a field not your own. I can teach better if I am allowed to meet the children at their level and build on the skills from there.

]]> TESTED | Homeschool 2.0 http://homeschool2point0.com/2007/10/tested/#comment-130 Elaine Thu, 04 Oct 2007 19:00:41 +0000 http://homeschool2point0.com/2007/10/tested/#comment-130 I've seen this book but hadn't picked it up to see what it was all about. Perhaps I need to if the Wasilla library has this on the shelves. I’ve seen this book but hadn’t picked it up to see what it was all about. Perhaps I need to if the Wasilla library has this on the shelves.

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