Elizabeth Hill

**Can he be invited to help(or does he already) with putting the materials

together and doing the actual physical work of cutting and pasting? He may
have some surprising ideas about how some of the stuff he is doing will
convert.**

And he may remember more than you about the year. (My brain was really mush when I was pregnant.) Or the two of you, reminiscing together may remember extra stuff.

If you are way "lacking" in History or Social Studies you can pad things out by renting some interesting historical videos. If you are feeling obligated to add some Math, you might want to buy or borrow a Math computer game. (I figure your feet aren't really up for, say, field trips, so I'm looking for high interest learning stuff that combines well with sitting.)

Betsy

** Yes he does help and in the past its been fun. Im looking for a
starting point but I cant find one. I know he sure has learned alot
about pregnancy, diabetes,insulin,ultrasounds, hospitals ,breeding
dogs and raising pups.**

I think that's your starting point. Write it down all of these things
that he did or discussed last year. Write it down in real language
first, with some detail, and when you are done doing that with his help,
then transform it into pompous teacher language.

[email protected]

I found myself looking for requirements for my sons grade today. I dont
normally feel the panic but this year has not been as productive looking as years
past and I needed ideas. With portfolios a few months away I am beginning to
stress.

I know he has learned a lot this year (esp medical stuff) but normally we
have a good mix. I know I have not had as much time to sit with him and I feel
bad for that. I have between two and six weeks left in my pregnancy due to low
fluid and placenta issues due to diabetes so the coming weeks will be
nonproductive Im sure.
My focus is a bit off.... I also know a good month after the baby comes is
going to be trying for our family as well. With two toddlers a 12 yr. old and
a new baby on the way I feel as If I am always asking him to wait until I tend
to them. Not to mention we haven't been to many places other than shopping
this year.

On top of the portfolio worries he is being contacted by girls who seem to
have taken quite an interest in him (not to mention look much older than he).
If it isn't the computer it is the phone ringing. I know he is growing up but
the "public school" world is a bit too advanced for my comfort. I dislike my
feelings on this because I have always trusted his judgment but lately I feel
like I am dealing with issues everyday. Its not even him it is the other
children who do not live in my home.

On the portfolio end its not really a lack of learning its more me converting
our life this year.

Does anyone have any suggestions? I feel much too much stress daily over all
of this. I was wanting to get almost all of my portfolio done so I could be
with my family in May/June but my brain is mush..
I cant help but wish we could just test him this year but I dislike that
greatly. I even stooped as low as asking him about curriculums today. UGH! I know
I am stressing him out and making him worry over nothing.


Laura D




[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[email protected]

In a message dated 3/16/04 7:26:09 PM, HMSL2@... writes:

<< I cant help but wish we could just test him this year but I dislike that
greatly. >>

It's not good for the pregnancy to stress.

Maybe read this and see if you can find it in your heart to aid and abet him
to just invalidate his test score:

http://sandradodd.com/tests

Sandra

[email protected]

In a message dated 3/16/04 7:26:09 PM, HMSL2@... writes:

<< I cant help but wish we could just test him this year but I dislike that
greatly. >>

Another idea: turn the portfolio in late. Do it in July or August. What
will they do? Tell them you were having a baby and they can kiss your butt.
(Perhaps there's a more legalese-sounding way to say that.)

(What if you do it late and nobody notices?)

Sandra

Robyn Coburn

<<On the portfolio end its not really a lack of learning its more me
converting
our life this year.

Does anyone have any suggestions? I feel much too much stress daily over all

of this. I was wanting to get almost all of my portfolio done so I could be
with my family in May/June but my brain is mush..
I cant help but wish we could just test him this year but I dislike that
greatly. I even stooped as low as asking him about curriculums today. UGH! I
know
I am stressing him out and making him worry over nothing.>>



Can he be invited to help(or does he already) with putting the materials
together and doing the actual physical work of cutting and pasting? He may
have some surprising ideas about how some of the stuff he is doing will
convert. Maybe a curriculum could be used as a guide for conversion - for
him to get ideas I mean.

I don�t know how you feel about his grandparents or other relatives, but can
they help with the work of that darn portfolio?

Does anyone ever �fail� their portfolio review? What happens if anyone fails
a year in your state? Some states get a �do better next year� statement and
that is the end of it.

Robyn L. Coburn








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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Laura

LOL,
Sandra, I have missed you! I went to digest a month or so ago thats
probably why I feel like Im sliding off my unschooling path.

Im not late until the end of August BUT the teachers do them in
groups in June. So if I snooze I loose. I like the connect the dots
idea and the state only gets the name and dates the rest we can black
out but I have no clue where to buy a standardized test, ive looked.

I know I could drag my way through a portfolio and I should just do
that but I know in my heart we have not done much and my friend who
is returning her kids back to school will be there. Heck we used to
go to the bookstore all the time and now the closest I get is Walmart.

I guess I just feel like I am lacking all the way around. I have been
moody (which is trigered when my blood sugar goes over 200),worried
and tired. I know this year is an exception but I dont want my son to
feel like he is lacking in knowledge because I am speaking my
stresses. I know I am rubbing off on him.

Either way I want to get it done so i dont have to worry about it.
Maybe I just need to come off digest and back to the list to feel
better. LOL

Laura~ Wishing August was sooner


*****************************************************************
> Another idea: turn the portfolio in late. Do it in July or
August. What
> will they do? Tell them you were having a baby and they can kiss
your butt.
> (Perhaps there's a more legalese-sounding way to say that.)
>
> (What if you do it late and nobody notices?)
>
> Sandra>>>

Have a Nice Day!

I'm planning on having my kids collaborate with me on how to put their
portfolios together.

I think it will help all of us.

I never did it before because I don't want legal requirements to interfere
with real learning, but I think if we all keep it in perspective, (and I
know we will now) it will be fun.

I have no idea what these portfolios will look like, but it will be
interesting.

Kristen
----- Original Message -----
From: "Robyn Coburn" <dezigna@...>
To: <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, March 16, 2004 10:36 PM
Subject: RE: [UnschoolingDiscussion] Year end/unschooling during a pregnancy


<<On the portfolio end its not really a lack of learning its more me
converting
our life this year.

Does anyone have any suggestions? I feel much too much stress daily over all

of this. I was wanting to get almost all of my portfolio done so I could be
with my family in May/June but my brain is mush..
I cant help but wish we could just test him this year but I dislike that
greatly. I even stooped as low as asking him about curriculums today. UGH! I
know
I am stressing him out and making him worry over nothing.>>



Can he be invited to help(or does he already) with putting the materials
together and doing the actual physical work of cutting and pasting? He may
have some surprising ideas about how some of the stuff he is doing will
convert. Maybe a curriculum could be used as a guide for conversion - for
him to get ideas I mean.

I don't know how you feel about his grandparents or other relatives, but can
they help with the work of that darn portfolio?

Does anyone ever "fail" their portfolio review? What happens if anyone fails
a year in your state? Some states get a "do better next year" statement and
that is the end of it.

Robyn L. Coburn








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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]



"List Posting Policies" are provided in the files area of this group.

Visit the Unschooling website and message boards: http://www.unschooling.com
Yahoo! Groups Links

[email protected]

In a message dated 3/16/04 9:24:37 PM, HMSL2@... writes:

<< but I have no clue where to buy a standardized test, ive looked. >>

Bob Jones University. Bite the bullet. Wish them ill, buy the test, send it
back.

New Mexico used to require testing, and Bob Jones was the one mail-order
self-administered test people were allowed here. Gross. But still.

Sandra

Have a Nice Day!

Seton school also has them, and you don't have to have a Bachelor's degree to give it.

Seton is also cheaper I think and has no time limits on when you have to have it back to them. Last I heard, they will send it to you, and score it for you for $25.

I'm not sure but I think the website is www.seton.org ?

I'm sure you can google it.

Kristen
----- Original Message -----
From: SandraDodd@...
To: [email protected]
Sent: Tuesday, March 16, 2004 11:45 PM
Subject: Re: [UnschoolingDiscussion] Re: Year end/unschooling during a pregnancy



In a message dated 3/16/04 9:24:37 PM, HMSL2@... writes:

<< but I have no clue where to buy a standardized test, ive looked. >>

Bob Jones University. Bite the bullet. Wish them ill, buy the test, send it
back.

New Mexico used to require testing, and Bob Jones was the one mail-order
self-administered test people were allowed here. Gross. But still.

Sandra


"List Posting Policies" are provided in the files area of this group.

Visit the Unschooling website and message boards: http://www.unschooling.com


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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Laura

--- In [email protected], "Robyn Coburn"
<dezigna@c...> wrote:


>
> Can he be invited to help(or does he already) with putting the
materials
> together and doing the actual physical work of cutting and pasting?
He may
> have some surprising ideas about how some of the stuff he is doing
will
convert.>>>

Yes he does help and in the past its been fun. Im looking for a
starting point but I cant find one. I know he sure has learned alot
about pregnancy, diabetes,insulin,ultrasounds, hospitals ,breeding
dogs and raising pups.
************************************************************

<<< Maybe a curriculum could be used as a guide for conversion - for
> him to get ideas I mean.>>>

You just brought me back on track! That is why we have not bought a
curriculam. Each time we have looked at them we have both said he
knows it already. Last week we sat down and flipped trough Saxon 65
and put it back in the book case because he knows it and not from
useing the book. Good idea. I'll use the Saxon book as my guide.
**************************************************************


<<<> I don't know how you feel about his grandparents or other
relatives, but can
> they help with the work of that darn portfolio?>>>

Yes, another great suggestion. My MIL loves taking photo's.
****************************************************************

> Does anyone ever "fail" their portfolio review? What
happens if
anyone fails
> a year in your state? Some states get a "do better next
year"
statement and
> that is the end of it.
>
> Robyn L. Coburn>>>

I dont know? I think she would just make suggestions for the next
year.
I know last year I told her that my main want was for him to find his
way to reading for fun and he did. She said that alone was all she
needed to see that he was thriving. She is an unschooling minded
teacher. I went last year with such an exciting layout that I
motivated others to look into unschooling. I just want my full flame
back.

I see ive written several things I can use in the portfolio. Im off
to make notes. Maybe I can get this thing done by the weekend and
take that stress off my slate.

Laura D

[email protected]

In a message dated 3/16/04 9:52:14 PM, litlrooh@... writes:

<< Seton school also has them, and you don't have to have a Bachelor's degree
to give it.

Seton is also cheaper I think and has no time limits on when you have to have
it back to them. Last I heard, they will send it to you, and score it for
you for $25. >>

GOOD.

Kindly disregard my distasteful advice about Bob Jones then.

Good.

Sandra

Marjorie Kirk

Laura wrote:
..... but I have no clue where to buy a standardized test, ive looked.

Try Family Learning Organization at http://www.familylearning.org/ I think
the CAT runs about $35.

Marjorie