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HSLDA needs your input to help them better serve you and the homeschooling community! Follow the link below to their short, six-question survey and you’ll be entered in a drawing to win a $500 Visa gift card.
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Many states allow you to have a certified teacher look over a portfolio of your child's work at the end of the year. The teacher signs that your child is up to grade level and your homeschool year can be considered completed. Putting together homeschool portfolios can be an intimidating thought even to someone that has done it before. Really, it can be quite a simple process if you know what to include.
I collect my children's work into a folder that is on my bookshelf and add to it several times a week. When they have completed a book or written a story or picture I just put it in the folder. I try to make sure I put a date on each paper that I put in the folder. I don't have to organize it or arrange it until the end of the school year. Just before I meet with the teacher at the end of the year, I take out the folder of collected items and make piles by subject. Then I organize each pile by date. Some people like to make a fancy scrapbook for their portfolio. I just prefer to make piles by subject. You could put each subject into a nice notebook, but for the most part, this is not necessary.
Here are some items you might want to include in your homeschool portfolio:
1. Reading lists
2. Daily or weekly logs that your child has filled in.
3. Tickets or programs of events that you have attended.
4. Test results if your child took a standardized test of some sort.
5. Attendance records if your state requires these.
6. Pictures or videos of projects that your child completed during the course of the year.
7. Artwork - If you put dates on your child's papers, it's fun to look at a picture from the beginning of the year and compare that with a picture from the end of the year.
8. Any writing that your child has done. This can include poetry, journals, stories, essays, research papers, or any other writing that they have done. Again, comparing a piece from the beginning of the year with one from the end of the year can be quite rewarding.
9. Workbooks that have been used during the course of the last year.
Preparing a homeschool portfolio doesn't have to be a bothersome chore. If you have a place to collect your child's work during the year, then pulling together a portfolio can actually be fun. You can reminisce over all the activities you have done and marvel over your child's progress for the year.
Do you want to know more about homeschool portfolios and assessments? Download the free homeschool eBooks How to Find the Best Homeschool Resources or How to Get Started with Homeschooling at http://www.homeschool-how-to.com/free-homeschool-ebooks.html
Heidi Johnson enjoys helping people find resources to simplify and improve their lives.Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Heidi_Johnson
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 Dad and Duck were talking to each other when Dad asks Duck, "Do you know how many feet are in a yard?" She ponders a minute and looks to me for some guidance. She has a look on her face that she should know this answer, but where is it when she needs it. Hummmmm, do I tell Dad I don't know or do I just give an answer? Reluctantly she answers 3? Dad says no. Then she looks at me with a more puzzled look. Dad answers, "It depends on how many people are standing in it."
Hope you laughed as much as we did.
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In January of 2003, I rearranged the church library at Crossroads Christian Fellowship in New River, Arizona, to make room for a homeschool section. This idea had come to me back in October around the time of Make a Difference Day. Inspired to do some community service – and simultaneously pondering the cluttered condition of our school room at home because we had run out of shelf space – I thought to combine my library education with my passion for homeschooling and make use of my extra books, while also providing an outreach opportunity for the church. The pastor and his wife homeschool their own children and they thought it was a good idea.
Before long, everything came together to take my library plan one step further. The lady who was coordinating the Iowa Test of Basic Skills for our homeschool group was wishing she had a nearby location to do the standardized testing. She needed a building with several different rooms, which we have at our church. A few days later, a friend of mine from another homeschool group mentioned that she was having trouble finding a place to hold her workshops. (Since we’re out in a rural desert area, there aren’t many buildings with meeting rooms. We didn’t even have a local public library.) My friend also knew a couple of people who were interested in teaching classes for homeschoolers. Consequently, we decided to set up a homeschool resource center.
I started the homeschool library with about 200 of my own books. As word spread through the local support groups that we were creating a homeschool lending library, more homeschoolers brought in materials for the collection. Families with recent homeschool graduates were happy to donate their entire old curriculum. We received educational games, magazines, audiotapes, videos, and software as well. I cataloged all of the items using a database called Readerware. The software also keeps track of loans and due dates, although I haven’t been assigning due dates. I simply ask people to bring the items back as soon as they’re done with them, and they can keep curriculum for up to a year. (If someone requests an item that has been checked out for a long time, I will contact the current borrower just to see if they have finished using it yet.)
Several different companies generously donated books and educational resources to our library. In appreciation, I placed their logo and link on the resource center website, listing them as sponsors. We also have an assortment of catalogs from various curriculum publishers and distributors. Making the catalogs available helps people who are looking for certain items or who want to compare different curriculums. We have past issues of homeschool magazines on display, and I distribute new copies of The Old Schoolhouse and Homeschooling Parent magazines. In addition, since a homeschool resource center qualifies as an educational organization for the purpose of Campbell’s Labels for Education and General Mills Boxtops for Education, we are collecting and saving those labels and boxtops to put toward getting a microscope or other science equipment.
As independent home educators, we have the freedom to choose the instructors who will best meet our needs. They may be homeschool moms, hired teachers, or people from the community who are professionals in their field. Parents that teach classes usually have experience in the subject matter. Since the students are getting their primary education at home, we concentrate on enrichment classes rather than core curriculum. Various homeschool courses that we have offered include: Art, Music, Drama, Creative Writing, Geography, Sign Language, and High Tech Kids. Other activities have included the Pizza Hut Book-It reading incentive program, standardized testing, Gettysburg dramatization by Bob Farewell, book sale, fire safety presentations and first aid course. The local homeschool honor society and a support group also hold their meetings there.
The resource center and library are open about once or twice per week, whenever homeschool classes or activities are taking place. While we favor instructors, resources and courses that have a Christian worldview, the resource center is open to all homeschoolers in the area no matter what church or support group they belong to. We have had classes for all ages from preschool to high school, and even for moms. Certain classes by necessity are loosely divided into age groups. For the sake of convenience, we try to set up the classes so that they run back-to-back all on one day. Some children attend only one class, and other families have children in several different classes. Although a few parents drop their kids off and pick them up later, others stay to observe the classes or browse through the library books, and many moms like to sit and chat. We have a fenced-in playground and playroom with educational toys for the toddlers and preschoolers. Older children who aren’t in a particular class like to get together and play ball, chess, or other games.
In the spirit of a co-op, the resource center enables homeschooled children to enjoy a group experience, providing interaction with other teachers and homeschooled kids. Unlike a traditional co-op, parents don’t take turns doing the teaching but instead hire someone else to provide the instruction. Often when a mom would like her children to study a certain subject, she suggests that we should have a class. She may even seek out an instructor who we then contact, make arrangements with, and spread the word to everyone. The parents pay the instructors directly, and my position is purely voluntary. However, we do charge a nominal $5.00 per family per year for the privilege of checking out books (to cover the cost of supplies, book repairs, etc.), and we request an additional dollar per student per class which we give to the church for the use of their facility. I must say, the church has been very flexible and accommodating! Being firmly committed to parent-led education, and to keep in touch with families’ interests, I also created a survey on which parents can indicate what classes and activities they would like to see. I then use this “wish list” to help determine needs and plan future course offerings.
The homeschool resource center is more than a co-op, and it isn’t a support group or school either. It’s like a community center where families can obtain information and resources, borrow books and teaching materials, take classes, attend meetings, and participate in activities. One mom mentioned to me several times how much her son enjoyed going to his weekly class. Another mom stated that her daughter was moaning about missing her classmates during the summer. I know that my three boys – ages 5, 10, and 15 – all look forward to spending an action-packed day of fun and learning with their friends. Even church members who do not homeschool can find biblically-based family resources in the library’s homeschool section, some of which may be used in Sunday school. For these reasons, the resource center has become a vital part of our community.
Teri Ann Berg Olsen is a home educator, librarian, and author of Learning for Life: Educational Words of Wisdom. An AFHE member since 1995, she and her husband have always homeschooled their children. In addition to serving as resource coordinator for the Knowledge House Learning Resource Center, Teri is the leader of Desert Hills Christian Homeschoolers and Arizona State Coordinator for The Old Schoolhouse. She is currently researching the history of home education in Arizona for her next book.
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If you are doing preschool at home, or even if you are just doing some extra preschool activities with your child from time to time, you probably have a lot of papers and craft supplies taking up space on your countertops and closet shelves.
It was hard for me to get excited about doing preschool activities without being organized first, so I set out to go through all of our supplies and set up an organized storage system that works for me.
Flash Cards and Card Games
I store all of my boys' flash cards and card games in a small plastic storage container. This container is kept up in a closet where only I can get it down for them. It only took one time of me putting all the cards back in the boxes to realize they couldn't handle getting into this container on their own!
Art Supplies
Most of our art supplies are stored where my boys can get to them. I purchased a three drawer plastic storage container that works great for art supplies. One drawer holds their crayons, colored pencils, scissors, and glue. The second drawer stores a variety of painting supplies. The third drawer stores miscellaneous items, such as felt pieces for the felt board and plastic letters for the magnetic board. This plastic container is kept near the kitchen table where my boys do their art projects. This keeps it within easy reach when they want to color, paint, or do some other art project.
Craft Supplies
I have a separate plastic storage container just for craft supplies. Most of these supplies aren't used unless we are doing a special craft project, so the kids don't need to get in there every day. This container stores things like google eyes, pipe cleaners, crepe paper, etc. This is also where I store the ink pads I don't want them getting into by themselves.
Worksheets, Workbooks, and Project Instructions
If you like to collect preschool craft and activity ideas like I do, you probably have a lot of piles of paper that need to be sorted and organized. I purchased several plastic file folder storage boxes for all these papers, and they have worked great so far. I sorted my papers into categories like Christmas, Thanksgiving, spring, animals, alphabet, etc. I combined several categories together in one container, and then labeled each container so I would know exactly what is in it. I also placed all of our workbooks in these containers. It's nice to have a place to put all those miscellaneous papers I always seem to run across. If I cut out an article from somewhere, or photocopy an idea from a book, I have a place to file it away where I can always find it again. You can put away the containers you don't currently need and just leave out the ones you are currently using.
Preschool Manipulatives and Puzzles
Hopefully your preschooler has a lot of math manipulatives and puzzles to play with. These items should be set out where they can just pick up when they are bored. All of our puzzles are stored inside of benches we have around the table in our kitchen. When our boys want to do a puzzle, they can get them out themselves. Our math manipulatives are stored on a shelf in our entertainment center. Again, the kids have easy access to them and often pick them up when they are bored. We have sewing cards, patterning and sorting activities, and several number, matching, and reading games. I love to see my boys reaching for these great learning activities when they want something to do.
The preschool years are a fun time for you and your child. Whether you are doing preschool at home or your child attends preschool, make sure you have lots of stimulating activities for your child at home that are organized and ready to use when you need them.
Rachel Paxton is a freelance writer and mom of five. For resources for the Christian family, including parenting, toddler and preschool activities, homeschooling, family traditions, and more, visit Christian-Parent.com.
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“Hey, Mom! Let’s go on a field trip!” Those words can either inspire us or put us into a state of complete panic. Over the years, as I’ve spoken with many homeschooling moms, it appears they either gravitate toward the field trip concept and love to plan, organize and promote it OR they dread it. If you happen to fall into the first category, then this article will inspire you and give you some new ideas. However, if you dread field trips yet would still like to incorporate them into your homeschool plan, then this article is for you.
First of all, let me say that “a field trip” and “100 kids all together doing the same activity” are NOT synonymous! It can really put you off to think that you have to work with a large group to have a field trip. Some of our best field trips have been with just one other family or our family alone. So, with that little misunderstanding out of the way, let’s plan a field trip.
There are several things you might consider as you plan your field trip:
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What are you currently studying that might be enhanced by a field trip?
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What are your children particularly interested in these days?
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What resources are available in your “own back yard” but seldom used?
As you answer these questions, ideas for field trips will start to emerge. Some ideas to get you started: Zoo, Library, Dr.’s Office, Dental Office, Fire Dept., Police Station, Museums, Bowling, Miniature Golf , Petting Farm, Ball Game Nature Walk, Hospital, Nursing Home, Grocery Store, Bakery, Planetarium, Greenhouse, Humane Society, Music Store, Beauty Shop, Post Office, Newspaper Office, Bike Shop, Swimming Pool, Food Bank, Bookstore, Optometrist, Veterinarian Office, Farm, Horse Ranch, Courthouse, Daycare Center
Once you’ve decided where you and the children would like to go for a field trip, the next step is to plan it out. First, call the place and ask if they have pre-planned tours for small groups. If they do, then most of the work is already done for you. All you need do is get the details and sign up. If they don’t, then you will need to make the necessary arrangements for your group (or family) to visit.
Before the field trip
Do a little research so that you know:
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prices/group rates
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group size limit
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ages allowed
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if there are picnic or eating facilities
Make the necessary arrangements for the trip:
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call or visit the facility and make any necessary reservations or arrangements
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set date/time and a possible rain date
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request map, directions and parking info
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request any available info. to help prepare the students/parents
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determine how payment will be made (if necessary)
Get all information about the trip out to your group well in advance. Remind everyone to BRING THE CAMERA!
During the field trip
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If you are the coordinator, plan to arrive early at the location
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Introduce yourself to the person in charge and pay any necessary fees
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Once the group arrives, get them all together for instructions in behavioral expectations, tour agenda and any other pertinent info.
After the field trip
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Send at least one general thank you note and encourage individual families to do likewise.
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Discuss the trip with the children, asking open-ended questions to get them talking i.e. What did you like most about what we saw? What surprised you about this field trip? How has what you saw today changed the way you feel about (fill in the blank)? Where would you like our next field trip to be?
Rather than going out on a field trip, you might consider bringing the field trip to you. If you have a space where your family and perhaps a few others can comfortably meet (such as your church fellowship hall) you can have the field trip come to you. Many individuals or groups welcome the chance to speak to a group of students or families.
Some ideas: Missionaries, Policemen,Firemen, Nurse, K-9 Unit, Artist, Forestry Service, Sign Language Teacher, Auto Mechanic, Lawyer, Judge, Public Health Nurse, Skin Care/hair care, Animal Shelter, Parents & their Jobs
And for those of you who simply don’t want to go out on a field trip or even have one come to you, there’s always the Virtual Field Trip!
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Virtual Field Trips - www.home-educate.com/fieldtrip.shtml
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About.com Field Trips Online - homeschooling.about.com/cs/fieldtrips/
Charmaine Wistad has successfully homeschooled her own two children from pre-school through high school. Now she is turning her attention toward helping other homeschool moms. Through personal coaching, Charmaine helps homeschooling moms thrive… not just survive! Visit her website to try a complimentary no-obligation telephone coaching session. Article Source
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I really wanted to share this remarkable video ~ Actual footage from 1930 Helen Keller and Anne Sullivan. My son was in awe when he heard Helen speak...Watch the video here!
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