Why aren’t the tests in IPC scheduled?
My daughter will be using Heart of Dakota’s (HOD’s) World Geography, as well as Integrated Physics and Chemistry (IPC). I already have all my things from HOD. (Thank you for the fast shipping!) Anyway, I wondered if the science tests are somewhere in the Geography guide? From what I can tell, they aren’t scheduled, and I am also curious why they aren’t scheduled. I’d love to hear your take on this, Carrie, since I value your opinion so highly. I would like my daughter to have some more practice with test taking. So, I have to ask why aren’t they scheduled? Thanks in advance!
Sincerely,
“Ms. Please Help Me Understand Why the Tests Aren’t Scheduled”
Dear “Ms. Please Help Me Understand Why the Tests Aren’t Scheduled,”
This is a good question. In doing all 12 chapters of IPC in one year, rather than spreading it over 2 years doing 6 chapters a year as the publisher suggests, the students already have a very full year in science. In addition we’ve added 35 labs to the science program to make it worthy of lab credit. With balance being very important, the tests and quizzes were the least necessary part of the science program. This is why we did not schedule them within our guide.
Balance is the goal.
The kiddos do take quite a few tests and quizzes in Art of Argument in the World Geography guide. So, they are getting some practice there. There are also math tests that we have our sons take at the World Geography guide level. In the homeschool setting, I am not a huge proponent of test-taking as a means of evaluating what a child knows.
To me, test-taking is just one skill among many needed for success in life. So, we seek to balance that skill along with all of the others needed for students to be successful learners. This approach has not hindered our sons in any way, as they have easily passed many CLEP and DSST tests for college, with only HOD for training. So, be encouraged your daughter will surely be ready for tests upon graduation, without being overloaded with work in high school.
Blessings,
Carrie
This Post Has 2 Comments
So my son’s grade for IPC should be based on him completing the work?
Thank you for your help!
Hello Jennifer! Yes, your son’s grade for IPC should be based on him completing the work. When helping teach my younger brother Beau, I use a simple ratio to calculate each day’s grade in his IPC workbook. (Say he got 21 out of 22 answers right, I’ll use a ratio to calculate that he completed a 95% A for that day’s lesson. I also will award half-credit to answers that he technically got wrong, but that he can make a good case that he accidentally wrote in the wrong term and that he knows the source material well.)
Hope this helps!