Many states have forms and tests that you are required to complete showing your child's progress in a homeschooling situation. That makes your job as a teacher a bit easier as far as record-keeping is concerned, but not all homeschooling families like this option. If your state allows you to use a portfolio to prove your child's progress, then you may find this creative form of record-keeping to your liking.
Why a Portfolio?
A portfolio will grow as your child grows. It shows, in a well-organized manner, how your child progresses throughout the school year. You can think of it as a snapshot of all the subjects your child learned, and highlights the topics within each subject by keeping originals of your child's work.
Some states require a quarterly assessment of your child's progress, and a well-maintained portfolio is excellent for this. A portfolio will show all your child's achievements as well. Again, it is a great way to showcase your child's progress.
A portfolio can be kept in a number of ways, including:
- A file cabinet
- A large box
- A very large 3-ring binder
What to Include in the Portfolio
So, that all sounds great, but what exactly should you keep in a portfolio? Here are the general items that an approved homeschool evaluator will want to see included. Keep in mind that this is not an exhaustive list, or an exact list, as states may have different requirements for portfolios inclusions.
Journal: Make notes about progress and activities. Label the journal with the child's name and school year. You don't have to write essays in it, just short descriptions of how things are going. You could write "Wrote all of alphabet today" or "Too distracted today, went on field trip instead."
List of Books: You need to make a list of all the textbooks your child is using as well as any other books being read during free time. Be sure a keep a list of all the books he read, including the author's name, to show what reading level your child is at for the school year. You should also list any other learning resources being used, like computer software and learning games.
Goals: Goals are very important. How will you know if you reached a goal if you never set one? Goals should be set quarterly. Don't make your goals out of reach, though. An example would be writing, "I would like my daughter to write more legibly." It could also be about completing a project.
Photo Album: A photo album is a good idea because you can capture photos for the portfolio, as well as capture memories. Take a picture of your child reading or doing an art project. Take pictures during field trips or an in-home "cooking class." Take pictures of any projects that are made.
Brochures: Be sure and keep any brochures or papers you got at any educational outings. These can be placed in plastic protective sheets for safe-keeping. Brochures show that you have taken your child to places to get a hands-on or up-close experience.
Samples of Child's Work: This is one of the most awesome parts of the portfolio. It isn't like your journal portion, where you write words about your child's progress; this is very visual. You can really see progress when you look back at earlier work. Include samples of writing, artwork, tests they got 100% on, and workbook pages. Anything that will show your child's progress can be included.
It seems like a lot of work, but it really isn't if you keep up with it once a week. It is fun to go through the portfolio at the end of the school year and talk about all the accomplishments and improvements your child has made during the year. As you can see, a well-organized portfolio serves a purpose more than just reaching the level of the education law in your state. It can be kept a lifetime as a remembrance of special times.
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