TOG Evaluations CD Rom: is it necessary?

[ABQmom]

I'm still researching TOG, and today I found the loom on-line and am reading through that. It is most helpful!

I found this statement: Finally, we are also going to be following through with our Evaluations CD-ROMs (tests). These are meant to serve
those of you who still feel a need for that question-answer format in order to function securely as a teacher—which
amounts to a perceived need to hold your children accountable for the factual content of their readings. In this
case, you can use our tests for this accountability (and even skip the Teacher’s Notes and discussions if you wish)
rather than trying to make our discussion outlines fulfill a function for which they were never designed.

So, does that mean that if you do the weekly discussions, the tests are not necessary? How many of you find the tests necessary/helpful and why or why not?

[Leanna]

We do have all of the discussions and I also use Evaluations.

After my eldest entered college I realized that I needed to give my other children more opportunities to take tests. Dd does very well in college with a 3.7 cumulative GPA, but she was WAY too stressed out over tests her first semester. I also think the essay questions in Evaluations are great training for the SAT writing section.

I can see that using the weekly quiz could stand in for a discussion if time is short, and/or your student isn't giving enough input.

I never use the Dialectic or Grammar level sections of Evaluations.

HTH,
Leanna

[Karenciavo]

Even though we are in a TOG co-op and have weekly discussions I like to use the rhetoric level evaluations. The other levels I could (and do) do without.

[ABQmom]

Okay, so 2 votes for using it at the Rhetoric level. Karen, why do you find the evaluations useful for this stage?

[Happyhomemama]

I'm still researching TOG, and today I found the loom on-line and am reading through that. It is most helpful!

I found this statement: Finally, we are also going to be following through with our Evaluations CD-ROMs (tests). These are meant to serve
those of you who still feel a need for that question-answer format in order to function securely as a teacher—which
amounts to a perceived need to hold your children accountable for the factual content of their readings. In this
case, you can use our tests for this accountability (and even skip the Teacher’s Notes and discussions if you wish)
rather than trying to make our discussion outlines fulfill a function for which they were never designed.

So, does that mean that if you do the weekly discussions, the tests are not necessary? How many of you find the tests necessary/helpful and why or why not?

I think the answer is in the part I bolded and underlined. In my opinion it means they are not necessary but if you feel you need or want such a product they are available. I have never felt the need and have never purchased them.;)

[Karenciavo]

I like the weekly timed essay most, sometimes that's all I give him. I also like using the unit exams.

[TMarie]

I'm wondering if the Rhetoric level Evaluations might be helpful with bookkeeping and giving a letter grade?

Any thoughts?

[April in CA]

Good Morning, Ladies!
We use the R level evaluations, and I am really glad to have them. Generally, we only do the unit exams for history and literature. I think the unit exams are a great way to train my students for cumulative exams in college, plus, I have to have cum. exams in order to give honors designation through our umbrella school. Sometimes I give the lit exam open note/open book. In fact, my guys will be doing the Unit 2 Year 4 exams this week as we end our semester - the guys are overwhelmed with joy.
Blessings,
April