Reviewed for  The Parent Educator, published by CHEA of California

 

Often I've seen the word “practical” in a title, then after reading the material wondered just who it was practical for, since it certainly didn’t mean me. Lesha Myers’ new book Making the Grade is just what it says it is, practical.

 

The foremost reason this book is so useful is the guide is based on a homeschool model rather than trying to adapt traditional school techniques. Instead of making the square peg fit in the round hole, Mrs. Myers makes a new hole. At the very beginning, she takes a new turn by making it clear that Christian homeschoolers should use a Biblical model for grading. A chapter is devoted to “God’s Grades” that includes Biblical examples of those who “made the grade.”

 

No “Method”

There is no “method” involved. As the title says, it is a guide. Mrs. Myers presents the information knowing that each home is different and one size won’t fit all. She allows for those differences in the approach to evaluating students’ work. There is no underlying sense that her way is the only way. She says in the last chapter: “Some of the suggestions here will not fit in with your philosophy. Leave them. Others will work well. Use them."

 

There are no pages and pages of forms to fill out. Other books on this topic present form after form to “help” evaluate your student. Though authors say you don’t have to use them all, you are made to feel that without them you won’t make the grade. There are exactly six forms in the back of this book and they allow for adaptation to your situation. No where in the text are you told how you must do it.

 

The book is divided into two sections. Part One, “Setting the Stage,” is the foundational information of the what and why of grading. Part Two, “Evaluating The Subjects,” contains approaches for the individual subject areas including Bible and P.E.

 

Mrs. Myers has seasoned her book with comments from Mentor Moms of Cameron Academy. The “How We Made The Grade” boxes are like an intimate chat with another home educating mom and “put a personal face on the issue of grading.” If you already have a system for grading, you’ll still want to have this book handy. The first section will help you clarify the why’s of your method. The second section will help with trouble spots. It’s possible to look at just the chapter that helps where you are weak, but I wouldn’t recommend doing that; you'll miss out on too much good material.

 

Making The Grade will become one of those books that you won’t want to teach at home without.

· Overview

· Mary Pride’s Review

· Cathy Duffy’s Review

· Table of Contents

· Order Information

 

© 2008 by Lesha Myers and Cameron Publishing. Web site designed by Cailin Andruss.