Yet another great aspect to homeschooling are the many options when it comes to grades.  Some families do not take grades at all, others do more of a daily/participation grade, while some operate on a full grading system.  There really isn't a right or wrong way, it is strictly your opinion on the matter.  For our family, it works best if I keep actual grades and then give a report card at the end of each grading period plus a final report card at the end of the year.  My kids do not know any different so to them it does not seem rigid or harsh.  In our house it is a positive part of our classroom.  I would never use grades to make the kids feel shameful or bad about themselves.  We use grades as a motivator to do your best.  Now, I know there are plenty of homeschooling families that would disagree with me but for our family grades work.  That is why we homeschool right??? We can mold our strategies to what is best for our families. I feel like a broken record but like I have stated before, I keep a lesson plan book for each school year.  Instead of keeping a separate grade book, I record grades in the lesson plan book.  I have looked at various homeschooling software but I really do prefer doing it myself. When it comes to the report cards, I break our grades down into four categories (and then by subject):
Tests
Quizzes
Daily Graded Work
Participation (you could also call this completion grades) Here is a good example.  When my son completes his daily math assignment, I grade it on the spot.  I let him know which math problems were incorrect.  I reteach or review any concepts right away while it is still fresh.  Then he will re-do the math problem to make it correct.  That is daily graded work and I consider it a 100.  He completed the work, we addressed any issues, and he was able to grasp the concept and correct the work.  All of this happens right away.  Sometimes if I am working with one of the other kids, the work will be set aside for me to grade as soon as I can.  However, we ALWAYS correct work and review any missed concepts on the same day. Now with quizzes and tests, those grades stand firm.  They must make any necessary corrections but I do not change the original grade.  This is just my way of prepping them for later in life (and college :)).  I want them to understand the importance of studying and preparing for a test or quiz. Since I am able to address things on the spot, their grades are very high.  Again, another perk to homeschooling.  They basically have a personal tutor.  Moi! :) On report cards, I will typically give a "weekly" grade.  Instead of writing a 100 for every single assignment, this gives them the same grade but saves my sanity. We do have a  couple of subjects that are really just experience at this point.  For example, I added Spanish this year.  All three kids are working on it but it is really just for exposure.  So, instead of killing myself and them with Spanish quizzes and tests, everyone gets a participation grade.  If they are actively, and diligently working on their lesson, they receive a 100.  Again, this can be done with weekly grades.  I do spot check them to make sure they are retaining their Spanish vocabulary but it is not grades.  Again, if there is an issue, we fix it on the spot.


This is the first year I added weight to my oldest son's grades.  He is a sixth grader so I feel it is important for him to begin understanding the value of a weighted grade.  I picked four subjects to weight this year:  Language, Math, History, and Science.  Now the weights were dependent on the curriculum.  For example, Language has tests, quizzes, and daily graded work.  But Math only has tests and daily graded work.  I adjusted the weights according to the specifics of each subject. Here are two examples: Language - We are using ABeka which offers tests, quizzes, and daily work

• Tests 30% (it is important to make sure you have more than one test on the report card, otherwise that one test would be 30% of the entire average - same goes for the other categories)
• Quizzes 20%
• Daily Graded Work 50%