Believing Unbeliever: Our CM Oral Exams

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Our CM Oral Exams

Last year without realizing it, I started using CM methods of instruction. For this year I wanted to learn more about Charlotte Mason’s style. I’m really liking it so far.

I read a few GREAT posts (can’t remember exactly which ones =[ ) & it helped me understand to make the changes to her style slowly. That helped tremendously because I feel like I have more of a plan now. It sure would have helped last year, but live & learn –right? I can’t say often enough how thankful to God I am for technology!

They say to add one thing at a time to ensure you’re not changing things too fast. This is especially important for me considering I have an autistic son. Not knowing this, I’ve gone a little faster than I should have. Last year, our changes to more of a CM style were to using Living books, daily (almost) Bible reading, copy work, & Habit training. This year we’ve added doing Short lessons, scripture memorization, CM Oral Exams, Narrations, Dictation, & Devotions.

I started the oral exams late this year (it was well after the first quarter) but I felt it was important for LB to have this whole year as prep before requiring more intense oral exams next year. I gave him his 1st oral exam the first week of our 2nd quarter. I felt so guilty; I had NO idea how he was going to handle this change. He did so well, I was SO proud of him! I just explained that it was called an exam, but that it was really just us talking about what we’ve learned. Sorry the pictures didn’t come out very good, but here’s a peek at what his 1st oral exam entailed.

Believe it or not it has already been time for another oral exam. This year is flying by. So this exam I tried to add a little more than his first one. Also, I split it up between 3 days (which turned out to be between 3 weeks). It’s mostly an oral exam, but I added handwriting one of our poems & a sentence to analyze (just looking for subject & predicate).