Exams
From the Alveary Team:
Exams are often overlooked in a CM education and we should stop to consider that the main reason for implementing them is to give the children the opportunity to assimilate their ideas and to reflect and communicate what they have learned.
The children narrate their...answers to the examination questions. They appear to enjoy doing this; indeed, the examinations which come at the end of each term are a pleasure; the only difficulty is that small children want to go on 'telling.' Their words are taken down literally. One is struck by the correctness and copiousness of the language used; but young children delight in words, and often surprise their elders by their free and correct use of 'dictionary words.' One notices the verve with which the children tell the tale, the orderly sequence of events, the correctness and fullness of detail, the accuracy of names. These things are natural to children until they are schooled out of them. — Charlotte Mason School Education, p. 276.
Exams are also a great way for teachers to gain insight into the minds of the child. They allow the teacher to reflect back on the term to see if there were any distractions for the child and whether the child was being attentive and making connections. One thing for teachers to consider when evaluating exams is whether the student is in a new phase in his/her development; another might be, “Is this a subject where we were working on their being more independent?” Exams are instrumental in providing a record of the progression your students make through the years.
Exams also allow teachers to examine themselves. Reflective practice questions may include: “How did I present the lesson? Did I recap lessons and listen to narrations? Was I fully present and engaged with my student?” (The Alveary’s Reflective Practice Plan Book has many such suggestions to encourage members’ growth as teachers.)
Exam time provides an excellent opportunity for including your spouse in what your children have been learning. Narrating to dad during/after exams gives a child a sense of accomplishment as to what they have completed.
Children will see the need for sharper attentiveness as they realize that at the end of the term they will be required to give thoughts about their readings. Indeed, this is a wake-up call for some students. Remember, though, that exams should not be taxing on a child and should be a delight, as Miss Mason says. They are definitely a worthwhile investment in your students’ growth--and in your development as a teacher.
Share some of your favorite exam memories in the Hive!
Notes:
- Student Curriculum Survey: We started a research project in the fall to explore the benefits of a relational education and are excited to continue it with a spring survey! Please have your Alveary students aged 10 and up complete the Student Survey (then there are a few questions at the end for you). *If you completed the survey in the fall, it would be very helpful if you completed it again this spring.* This enables us to compare fall responses to those this spring. If this is your first time taking the survey, please know that your information is also very helpful! As a thank you, we’ll be giving away three $25 Amazon gift cards to randomly selected winners to help you buy books and supplies for next year! Deadline: May 31st.
- Option 1: Take Student Survey Online
- Option 2: Download Student Survey (ideal for teachers!)
- Upload Link for PDF Survey
- Student Art Show & Tell! We know your students have been creating beautiful, original artwork this year and we want to see it! Learn more and submit their artwork.
- Summer Reading List: Join us for some intentional reading this summer. This summer reading list is a curated list of titles from our high school book list to encourage you as an educator and lifelong learner! Enjoy!
- Virtual Immersion Masterclass: Ever wish you could experience Charlotte Mason lessons yourself? The virtual immersion masterclass gives you the chance to watch Charlotte Mason lessons in action, see videos of real children in Charlotte Mason lessons, and then experience lessons yourself as a student and as a teacher during the live immersion day. Sign up now
- Summer Courses: Summer courses are now open for registration. If you’re looking for encouragement, rich discussion on Mason’s ideas, and like-minded community, we’d love to see you this summer! Register here.
- Conference Teens: Have you seen everything planned for the teens this summer? Over the years, we’ve heard just how fun and valuable it is for teens to connect with like-minded friends at the conference and enjoy participating in sessions and outdoor adventures together. There are a few spots left, so read more and sign your teen up today!
- Open House: Know a friend interested in Alveary? Send them this link to sign up for our online Open House.
- HST Science Kits: All Alveary science kits at Home Science Tools are now ready for the 2025-26 school year! Most kits remained the same; grade 5 and high school chemistry had only minor revisions (the 2024-25 kits will still work just fine if you already have one).
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Mason Quote
“Our aim in education is to give a full life. We owe it to them to initiate an immense number of interests. Life should be all living, and not merely a tedious passing of time; not all doing or all feeling or all thinking – the strain would be too great – but, all living; that is to say, we should be in touch wherever we go, whatever we hear, whatever we see, with some manner of vital interest.” — Volume 3, p. 171
