Contests are a great accountability tool to use. Deadlines are important to me. I like the sense of accomplishment when I have finished a project on time. I have noticed the same feeling of elation in my children when, say, the Pentel art project was in the mail on time. Finally, the research project on Integrated Pest Management was finally typed, proofread for the umpteenth time, and ready to send.
Contests are also a great tool for gauging quality control.
Even my son, who can be a careless speller, is concerned enough to look up words, use the spell check and ask for help when he knows that this paper is going to be read by strangers. Nationally recognized exams are another accountability measure that I have taken advantage of. When my son studied ancient Greece and Rome, we decided to try the mythology exam. Stuart probably spent more time studying up on Greek and Roman Myths and we actually read The Aeneid , because we knew that he was going to take the exam. We are currently using the Destinos Spanish program and studying old National Spanish Exams to prepare for this year s national test.