Our Homeschool: Grading papers

I spent most of yesterday grading papers.

Essays, worldview studies - years 1 and 3, short stories, creative writing, the beginnings of a novel...all single spaced....science tests,

grammar worksheets, scripture handwriting, art journals, algebra...

oh, my.

This does not include the daily papers

and journals and art projects 

from my youngest four children.

It does not include all of the private interests...

guitar, piano, computer science, typing,

photography, design, foreign languages... 

My "old" children (ages 17, 15, 14 and 11) are at

the stage where grading involves a lot of

reading, writing, and interacting - for me.

It is interesting, as the conversations have

been taken to a whole new level.  It's not enough

for the most part to check off boxes (has it ever been?)

The big kids need analysis, feedback, suggestions,

encouragement, and constructive direction.

Some days, I wonder whose idea it was

to have three teenagers right in a row, and then

I remember that the first two were "our" idea...

and the third one was a "surprise" to us...

(but not to God.)  :)

It is a very challenging task, but a good one, 

a very rewarding one.

Some weeks, I groan when I feel the 

weight of the stack of papers - but as

I dive in and see how they are 

learning and growing and developing...

well, honestly, it is sometimes 

overwhelming to think that I am in charge

of this huge task.  I'm in charge of supplying

and talking and grading and holding to accounting...

and when I can't teach something I'm in

charge of connecting them to someone who can.

But what a privilege - to share so deeply 

as young people begin to formulate and articulate the

ideas that will frame their thought processes.

I want to equip, to ignite, to foster.  I want to challenge

them to surpass me and their Dad, 

to go beyond what they can learn from me.

So often, that begins with a small comment beside a 

written paragraph, a "what if," or a "have you

thought of this angle of things?"  It begins with a huge

stack of papers and books, a pencil, and a 

few refills of the afternoon coffee.

Thanks, kids.  It's a joy to journey with you.

Looking forward to next week's stack ~

Mom