[Kristi]

I am wondering if it would be permissible to allow a high school student to use notes to take the exams? Since it is not a simple multiple choice type test and requires that the student learn to think Biblically and grow in wisdom and knowledge, I have allowed my daughter to use her notes as reference for answering questions. My thought process is this: if she has participated by watching the videos and taken thorough notes, then she should be able to use those notes in thinking through her thought process in answering exam questions especially since they are more essay based, than right/wrong questions. But anyone have thoughts about this?

[Ben Crist]

Kristi–I look forward to what other users of Mr. Raymond’s material will share. In the meantime, I just want to encourage you that knowing Dave personally, I think your reasoning is spot on. You could aim to have her use the notes a bit less each quarter, but I wouldn’t urge that to the loss of her profitable thinking!

[Kristi]

That’s great to hear that feedback. Thank you! I also look forward to hearing what other users of this class think.

[Vita]

I struggled with this with both my kids (11th grade but first time doing this type of history) and 7th grade (also first time) and have been allowing them to use notes BUT they have to try the whole exam without notes first, then they can use notes to finish up. I’m trying to also teach them to study since they would need that skill if they decide to go to college/university so the last time, I did subtract some points from my 11th grader on the questions for which he needed his notes since I knew he did NOT take the time to study before the exam.

For this lesson (7 in American), we have started to discuss the exam questions after each video/notes session so that my kids are learning how to process information for retention. It really seemed like it was going in one ear and out the other. It for sure is more work and involvement for me but, gratefully, I have the time to do it.

[krista.carlson]

I also struggled with this for American History for my freshman son last year. What I did was allow notes for the first couple of exams, then I would allow him to see the exam questions for a few until he got the idea of what the important points might be and then did the remainder of the year without notes or seeing the exam prior to taking it. We didn’t have the printed book so he only saw the exam when I printed it out for him. I was hoping that this would teach him how to study, identify the main points, and listen to a lecture and take notes effectively. This fall we will be using Antiquity for Sophomore year and I may do the same format again. I was confused about even letting him see the exam questions first since that would allow him only to study for those questions, but since it’s printed in the student book I was assuming that it was intended for the student to see. This year I did purchase the student book hard copy.