Mommy Grades

“Mommy grades” is a negative term typically used to describe grades given by a homeschooling parent.  As a homeschooling parent I am embarking on giving grades for the first time this school year.  “Mommy grades” are often derided as being unreliable because all parents want their children to get straight A’s.  While, I suppose, that may be true with some families the vast majority give accurate representations of their child’s abilities.  My eight year old son has asked to start receiving grades.  So I am about to begin the grading journey with him.  While many subjects do come easily to him, I don’t plan for A’s to be easy to obtain.  Many years ago when I taught a college class it wasn’t difficult to receive an A if you came to class and turned in your assignments.  I don’t plan to offer easy A’s this time.   I have decided to make half of my son’s grade based on effort and attitude.  I want him to understand the value of working hard and having a good attitude.  To me those are more important than learning the material thoroughly.  As a homeschooling parent who does not have to turn in grades to anyone I have the freedom to do that.

So, here are our mommy grades:

Each subject’s work is based on his current ability level and not his grade level.  I’ve separated the letter grade levels by the standard percentages.  I plan on averaging every assignment, project, and test to come up with the total grade.  Each assignment, project, or test will be given equal value.

A:  90-100 %
B:  80-89 %
C:  70-79%
D:  60-69%
F:  59% or lower

As far as effort and attitude goes I have made up a little scale that I will refer to in order to determine a daily grade that will be averaged for the final grade.