journals and portfolios
Olivia
Question...
To anyone who uses daily journals, logs and portfolios to satisfy their
state's assessment requirement: how much detail about daily or weekly
activities do you provide? Do you just list some highlights or write
in-depth descriptions of activities? How much material do you put in a
portfolio? Should I start collecting it throughout the year, or just gather
up things near the time when the assessment is due?
Also, my school dept. required me to agree to a "minimum of 900 hours of
instruction." How can I prove (or the school dept. disprove) that I met
this requirement through what I write in our log? I know my son is
learning something every day, but my daily journal may not reflect this to
the satisfaction of the school superintendent.
Thanks,
Olivia
To anyone who uses daily journals, logs and portfolios to satisfy their
state's assessment requirement: how much detail about daily or weekly
activities do you provide? Do you just list some highlights or write
in-depth descriptions of activities? How much material do you put in a
portfolio? Should I start collecting it throughout the year, or just gather
up things near the time when the assessment is due?
Also, my school dept. required me to agree to a "minimum of 900 hours of
instruction." How can I prove (or the school dept. disprove) that I met
this requirement through what I write in our log? I know my son is
learning something every day, but my daily journal may not reflect this to
the satisfaction of the school superintendent.
Thanks,
Olivia
Joel Hawthorne
Somebody should provide a service wherein you send the activities of daily
living
of your child and then they send you back a log with everything translated into
educational gobblelygook and bafflegab. I've seen something like this in
Growing Without Schools newsletter wherein someone did just that by which I
mean they wrote an article translating their kid's everyday play into
educational goals stated in that arcane blather educators use. They eat it up.
And what's more it was all true. Tossing a rock, doing somersaults, playing
with Playmobile, all contain every aspect of "Education" and many that schools
don't provide.
I'll look around for that article and try and post it if I can get permission.
Do they look at your "journal" or are you just required to have it available
for them to look at?
Olivia wrote:
best wishes
Joel
All children behave as well as they are treated. The Natural Child
Project http://naturalchild.com/home/
Work together to reinvent justice using methods that are fair; which conserve,
restore and even create harmony, equity and good will in society i.e.
restorative justice.
We are the prisoners of the prisoners we have taken - J. Clegg
http://www.cerj.org
living
of your child and then they send you back a log with everything translated into
educational gobblelygook and bafflegab. I've seen something like this in
Growing Without Schools newsletter wherein someone did just that by which I
mean they wrote an article translating their kid's everyday play into
educational goals stated in that arcane blather educators use. They eat it up.
And what's more it was all true. Tossing a rock, doing somersaults, playing
with Playmobile, all contain every aspect of "Education" and many that schools
don't provide.
I'll look around for that article and try and post it if I can get permission.
Do they look at your "journal" or are you just required to have it available
for them to look at?
Olivia wrote:
> From: Olivia <liv2learn@...>--
>
> Question...
>
> To anyone who uses daily journals, logs and portfolios to satisfy their
> state's assessment requirement: how much detail about daily or weekly
> activities do you provide? Do you just list some highlights or write
> in-depth descriptions of activities? How much material do you put in a
> portfolio? Should I start collecting it throughout the year, or just gather
> up things near the time when the assessment is due?
>
> Also, my school dept. required me to agree to a "minimum of 900 hours of
> instruction." How can I prove (or the school dept. disprove) that I met
> this requirement through what I write in our log? I know my son is
> learning something every day, but my daily journal may not reflect this to
> the satisfaction of the school superintendent.
>
> Thanks,
> Olivia
>
> --------------------------- ONElist Sponsor ----------------------------
>
> ONElist: your connection to like-minds and kindred spirits.
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> Check it out!
> http://www.unschooling.com
best wishes
Joel
All children behave as well as they are treated. The Natural Child
Project http://naturalchild.com/home/
Work together to reinvent justice using methods that are fair; which conserve,
restore and even create harmony, equity and good will in society i.e.
restorative justice.
We are the prisoners of the prisoners we have taken - J. Clegg
http://www.cerj.org
Andi Kaufman
>From: Olivia <liv2learn@...>i save some special stuff i save. but check the law. ours only reqiers that
>To anyone who uses daily journals, logs and portfolios to satisfy their
>state's assessment requirement: how much detail about daily or weekly
>activities do you provide? Do you just list some highlights or write
>in-depth descriptions of activities? How much material do you put in a
>portfolio? Should I start collecting it throughout the year, or just gather
>up things near the time when the assessment is due?
we show sustained progress. you dont need alot to do that.
>Also, my school dept. required me to agree to a "minimum of 900 hours ofcheck and see what they by law reqiere, in PA it is either 900 hours or 180
>instruction." How can I prove (or the school dept. disprove) that I met
>this requirement through what I write in our log? I know my son is
>learning something every day, but my daily journal may not reflect this to
>the satisfaction of the school superintendent.
days. I do days. I just put a check mark next to each day. sometimes i
write some of what we do.
if you need to do hours well, here is what i would do
brush teeth--- health
eat-----nutritian
walk the dog--- gym
play a game with dice- math
etc
Andi...domestic goddess and active volunteer
mom to Isaac
tl2b@...
Never Underestimate the Power of This Woman!
[email protected]
In a message dated 08/20/1999 1:56:37 AM Eastern Daylight Time,
liv2learn@... writes:
<<
To anyone who uses daily journals, logs and portfolios to satisfy their
state's assessment requirement: how much detail about daily or weekly
activities do you provide? >>
Olivia--
what state are you in?
debra
liv2learn@... writes:
<<
To anyone who uses daily journals, logs and portfolios to satisfy their
state's assessment requirement: how much detail about daily or weekly
activities do you provide? >>
Olivia--
what state are you in?
debra
Olivia
Thanks to all who responded to my question about what to do about portfolio
assessments.
Seeing as we just returned from a weekend away camping, and I have a long
list of emails, I'll respond to all the posts here.
Joel:
I don't know if they will actually look at my journal or if they just
"might" look at it. The other homeschoolers from my town that I have met
all use standardized tests as assessments. I think the superintendent was
quoted in a local newspaper as saying he was "very involved" with local
homeschoolers (ie: keeping an eye on them??) So he might very well look at
the journal.
Debra:
I am in Massachusetts.
Natalie:
The state can only require an "equivalent" program at home. So I guess (and
this seems a little vague) they can request a minimum of 900 hours because
it's equivalent to the public schools, but they can't specify how or when
the 900 hours take place. They also don't seem to be able to make you
document the 900 hours, as in a daily log of subjects covered...which is
good because they wouldn't get that anyway..*g*. I just don't know what
they would ask for if they did want me to prove the 900 hours, or if anyone
has ever experienced this. Maybe it's good that it's all so vague!
Andi:
Your descriptions are similar to what I have been doing. Perhaps I need to
be more descriptive though; sometimes I just list an activity and don't
specify what skills are being used (eg: "one hour of shooting hoops in the
backyard" to me assumes one hour of phys. ed. in school terms, but I don't
put it in the journal that way.) Sometimes I just take the insert that
comes with a piece of computer software and copy parts of it to detail the
skills my son practices when he uses it.
It's aggravating to have to look at each little part of the day and have to
think in terms of analyzing everything in such detail in case somebody at
the school dept., who doesn't live in your home and doesn't know your
child, wants to read about it and be critical! Perhaps I am overreacting
because I am so new to all of this "reporting" stuff and I don't know what
to expect.
Olivia
assessments.
Seeing as we just returned from a weekend away camping, and I have a long
list of emails, I'll respond to all the posts here.
Joel:
I don't know if they will actually look at my journal or if they just
"might" look at it. The other homeschoolers from my town that I have met
all use standardized tests as assessments. I think the superintendent was
quoted in a local newspaper as saying he was "very involved" with local
homeschoolers (ie: keeping an eye on them??) So he might very well look at
the journal.
Debra:
I am in Massachusetts.
Natalie:
The state can only require an "equivalent" program at home. So I guess (and
this seems a little vague) they can request a minimum of 900 hours because
it's equivalent to the public schools, but they can't specify how or when
the 900 hours take place. They also don't seem to be able to make you
document the 900 hours, as in a daily log of subjects covered...which is
good because they wouldn't get that anyway..*g*. I just don't know what
they would ask for if they did want me to prove the 900 hours, or if anyone
has ever experienced this. Maybe it's good that it's all so vague!
Andi:
Your descriptions are similar to what I have been doing. Perhaps I need to
be more descriptive though; sometimes I just list an activity and don't
specify what skills are being used (eg: "one hour of shooting hoops in the
backyard" to me assumes one hour of phys. ed. in school terms, but I don't
put it in the journal that way.) Sometimes I just take the insert that
comes with a piece of computer software and copy parts of it to detail the
skills my son practices when he uses it.
It's aggravating to have to look at each little part of the day and have to
think in terms of analyzing everything in such detail in case somebody at
the school dept., who doesn't live in your home and doesn't know your
child, wants to read about it and be critical! Perhaps I am overreacting
because I am so new to all of this "reporting" stuff and I don't know what
to expect.
Olivia
[email protected]
yes, vague (in the law) is good!
i agree it is exhausting to try to record everything! whew, i tried it for a
while and simply could not keep up. but fortunately i am not required to
provide all of that in tennessee.
we have begun doing scrapbooking as a part of our recordkeeping. it helps
that i have been a creative memories consultant for 8+ years...(so i have
easy access to great supplies and an appreciation for the value of recording
our living history...) but i have just last year had my oldest two children
begin memorybooks of their schoolage years (they are now 9.75 & 7.) this can
cover a lot of areas if you put an emphasis on journaling, both by you and
your child about whatever things youve been into, no matter what the area.
and they love it! it also provides a permanent sample of their handwriting
(& drawing if you let them draw a bit) and it would be impressive to show to
whoever was required, while also being a unique and valuable contribution to
your family's photo/history compilation when using long lasting materials. :)
another recordkeeping note: i just noticed that the game rummy roots from
eternal hearts has a little blurb of "skills learned" that would be a good
reference for putting together the schoolish sounding portfolio at the end of
the year. i personally would just record on my calendar "rummy roots" if
they played it that day and then later when putting together the required
stuff would refer to the "skills" list (vocabulary, word comprehension,
alphabetical skills, math computation, memorization, listening skills, etc.)
to fill in.
perhaps many of the homeschool family produced games and activities will
include lists like these, or maybe many already do?
question: what are your favorite learning games? i have just rec'd an order
of fun things for our "school year" that include some aristoplay games: hive
alive (math strategy) moneywise and a greek myths card game.
we love lots of familiar games too like: uno, checkers and chess, scrabble,
clue, etc.
erin
i agree it is exhausting to try to record everything! whew, i tried it for a
while and simply could not keep up. but fortunately i am not required to
provide all of that in tennessee.
we have begun doing scrapbooking as a part of our recordkeeping. it helps
that i have been a creative memories consultant for 8+ years...(so i have
easy access to great supplies and an appreciation for the value of recording
our living history...) but i have just last year had my oldest two children
begin memorybooks of their schoolage years (they are now 9.75 & 7.) this can
cover a lot of areas if you put an emphasis on journaling, both by you and
your child about whatever things youve been into, no matter what the area.
and they love it! it also provides a permanent sample of their handwriting
(& drawing if you let them draw a bit) and it would be impressive to show to
whoever was required, while also being a unique and valuable contribution to
your family's photo/history compilation when using long lasting materials. :)
another recordkeeping note: i just noticed that the game rummy roots from
eternal hearts has a little blurb of "skills learned" that would be a good
reference for putting together the schoolish sounding portfolio at the end of
the year. i personally would just record on my calendar "rummy roots" if
they played it that day and then later when putting together the required
stuff would refer to the "skills" list (vocabulary, word comprehension,
alphabetical skills, math computation, memorization, listening skills, etc.)
to fill in.
perhaps many of the homeschool family produced games and activities will
include lists like these, or maybe many already do?
question: what are your favorite learning games? i have just rec'd an order
of fun things for our "school year" that include some aristoplay games: hive
alive (math strategy) moneywise and a greek myths card game.
we love lots of familiar games too like: uno, checkers and chess, scrabble,
clue, etc.
erin
Thomas and Nanci Kuykendall
At 07:00 PM 8/22/99 -0400, you wrote:
here don't change, as I think the lack or homeschooling regualtions is a
result of it being a non-issue so far, more than any proactive environment.
I would hate for some religious fundamentalist or politician to come
strolling along with all kinds of "sweeping reforms" for homeschooling laws
in order to "better serve the children's best interest" or some other such
nonsense.
Nanci K. in Idaho
>From: Olivia <liv2learn@...>Olivia, you make me never want to move from Idaho! I hope that the laws
>It's aggravating to have to look at each little part of the day and have to
>think in terms of analyzing everything in such detail in case somebody at
>the school dept., who doesn't live in your home and doesn't know your
>child, wants to read about it and be critical! Perhaps I am overreacting
>because I am so new to all of this "reporting" stuff and I don't know what
>to expect.
>
>
>Olivia
here don't change, as I think the lack or homeschooling regualtions is a
result of it being a non-issue so far, more than any proactive environment.
I would hate for some religious fundamentalist or politician to come
strolling along with all kinds of "sweeping reforms" for homeschooling laws
in order to "better serve the children's best interest" or some other such
nonsense.
Nanci K. in Idaho
Diana Asberry
My 6yo DD loves bingo: we have money bingo, sight word bingo, telling time
bingo and she helps her lil sis (2 1/2) play shape bingo with me...
Mancala is a new favorite; memory games;
Dominoes!!!-is great for math; we also have bug dominoes (different species
of bugs instead of numbers of dots)
and Monopoly
Diana
"the world is our classroom"
----Original Message Follows----
question: what are your favorite learning games? i have just rec'd an
order
of fun things for our "school year" that include some aristoplay games: hive
alive (math strategy) moneywise and a greek myths card game.
we love lots of familiar games too like: uno, checkers and chess, scrabble,
clue, etc.
erin
bingo and she helps her lil sis (2 1/2) play shape bingo with me...
Mancala is a new favorite; memory games;
Dominoes!!!-is great for math; we also have bug dominoes (different species
of bugs instead of numbers of dots)
and Monopoly
Diana
"the world is our classroom"
----Original Message Follows----
question: what are your favorite learning games? i have just rec'd an
order
of fun things for our "school year" that include some aristoplay games: hive
alive (math strategy) moneywise and a greek myths card game.
we love lots of familiar games too like: uno, checkers and chess, scrabble,
clue, etc.
erin
Olivia
Nanci,
It's probably not as bad as it seems here. It's just that I'm nervous about
how things work in this town, being our first year and all. I have a friend
who homeschools in the town next to ours and she never sends in any
proposal or assessment and they never ask for one. The school
superintendent told her that he has relatives who homeschool and he is very
open to the idea. Maybe I should start looking at real estate listings in
her town. <g>
Olivia
Nanci wrote:
It's probably not as bad as it seems here. It's just that I'm nervous about
how things work in this town, being our first year and all. I have a friend
who homeschools in the town next to ours and she never sends in any
proposal or assessment and they never ask for one. The school
superintendent told her that he has relatives who homeschool and he is very
open to the idea. Maybe I should start looking at real estate listings in
her town. <g>
Olivia
Nanci wrote:
>
>Olivia, you make me never want to move from Idaho! I hope that the laws
>here don't change, as I think the lack or homeschooling regualtions is a
>result of it being a non-issue so far, more than any proactive environment.
> I would hate for some religious fundamentalist or politician to come
>strolling along with all kinds of "sweeping reforms" for homeschooling laws
>in order to "better serve the children's best interest" or some other such
>nonsense.
Olivia
Erin:
The scrapbook sounds fun for kids, and easy too. Right now my son takes
pictures of his projects with a Polaroid instant camera and we keep them in
a photo album. He likes to be able to look at the photos later in case he
wants to recreate a project.
Favorite learning games? Hmm..that's hard because although we have a lot of
games (the usual Monopoly, Pente, Chinese Checkers, Scrabble, etc.) my son
has one or two that he always wants to play. His top favorite is Nascar
Champions (he loves cars and racing) which does have some "learning"
elements like reading (instruction cards), math (adding up to five dice),
and strategy. Every once in a while I'll suggest playing something else:
sometimes it's greeted with enthusiasm, sometimes with a no. Right now he
is stuck on this one game. We did recently add a GeoSafari board game and
Battleship, and he likes Connect Four also.
Olivia
The scrapbook sounds fun for kids, and easy too. Right now my son takes
pictures of his projects with a Polaroid instant camera and we keep them in
a photo album. He likes to be able to look at the photos later in case he
wants to recreate a project.
Favorite learning games? Hmm..that's hard because although we have a lot of
games (the usual Monopoly, Pente, Chinese Checkers, Scrabble, etc.) my son
has one or two that he always wants to play. His top favorite is Nascar
Champions (he loves cars and racing) which does have some "learning"
elements like reading (instruction cards), math (adding up to five dice),
and strategy. Every once in a while I'll suggest playing something else:
sometimes it's greeted with enthusiasm, sometimes with a no. Right now he
is stuck on this one game. We did recently add a GeoSafari board game and
Battleship, and he likes Connect Four also.
Olivia
Thomas and Nanci Kuykendall
At 11:58 AM 8/23/99 PDT, you wrote:
probably play the number ones just to refresh my math skills. I love
mancala too. I'ts a great game to take with you when you travel or camp.
>From: "Diana Asberry" <diasberry@...>Bug dominoes sounds good. I'm not a big number fan, although I should
>
>My 6yo DD loves bingo: we have money bingo, sight word bingo, telling time
>bingo and she helps her lil sis (2 1/2) play shape bingo with me...
>Mancala is a new favorite; memory games;
>Dominoes!!!-is great for math; we also have bug dominoes (different species
>of bugs instead of numbers of dots)
>and Monopoly
>
>Diana
>"the world is our classroom"
probably play the number ones just to refresh my math skills. I love
mancala too. I'ts a great game to take with you when you travel or camp.
[email protected]
In a message dated 8/23/99 1:59:16 PM, diasberry@... writes:
<< My 6yo DD loves bingo: we have money bingo, sight word bingo, telling time
bingo >>
diana,
do you make your bingo cards? if so, are they always 5 across, 5down? just
trying to imagine making some...
erin
<< My 6yo DD loves bingo: we have money bingo, sight word bingo, telling time
bingo >>
diana,
do you make your bingo cards? if so, are they always 5 across, 5down? just
trying to imagine making some...
erin
[email protected]
Favorite games in my house:
the usual: Monopoly, Battleship, Chess, Checkers, Clue...
strategy: Stratego, Battle Masters, Warhammer 40K...
cards: Fish, Crazy 8s, Magic (the gathering), Happy Family...
dominoes: block...
We LOVE games! I was fortunate to find a great book that has lists of games
to play with cards, dice, dominoes, matches, checkers, pen and paper, etc...
I would suggest that everyone find a book like this! I am looking forward to
new games for us to play.
Blessings, Lori
the usual: Monopoly, Battleship, Chess, Checkers, Clue...
strategy: Stratego, Battle Masters, Warhammer 40K...
cards: Fish, Crazy 8s, Magic (the gathering), Happy Family...
dominoes: block...
We LOVE games! I was fortunate to find a great book that has lists of games
to play with cards, dice, dominoes, matches, checkers, pen and paper, etc...
I would suggest that everyone find a book like this! I am looking forward to
new games for us to play.
Blessings, Lori