I have done homeschool portfolios for sixteen years now. I choose to do these instead of the standardized tests because I feel it shows the quality and the quantity of work that we do. I also feel that shows the personal relationship the student has with his/her subjects allowing their individuality to show.
Supplies:
- a 3 ring binder for each child ( a clear pocket on the front & a couple on the inside as well)
- page protectors
- scrapbook/ card stock
The process should begin at the beginning of the school year so at the end of the year when trying to pull it all together one doesn't become overwhelmed. Each child should in our home school has file folders to file there work throughout the year. One folder per subject. When work is completed it goes into that particular folder. This makes it easy to pull out papers as the year goes by.
I set up each portfolio with a cover sheet this includes: a title, name, grade, school year and a picture. ( you do not have to include a picture). I also like to make the portfolios pleasing to the eye by using decorative scrapbook paper. I try to pick paper that I think represents the child.
I make a divider sheet for each subject and on the back of that I insert the table of contents of the work we completed in that specific book. If we did not complete the whole book, I check photo copy the section of the table of contents we did and cut off the rest.
If I have any favorite papers or artwork the kids have done, I will automatically put them in the page protector and snap them into the binders as well.
Each subject gets about 3 papers, one for beginning, middle, and end. If we did any special projects like a writer's notebook, a nature notebook, or journals, I like to stick some samples into the inside pockets.
I always save the sports schedules for soccer and basketball for each child and include them in the last section under extra curricula activities. It is good to photo copy any pics of field trips and write a small explanation of the trip. There is always so much to share in these portfolios. They are also great memory books for the kids of that particular school year and what they did. My kids enjoy taking them out periodically and looking and reminiscing about times past!
Since our son who was home-schooled from k-12 graduated from college this year. i also included a few pics of that. I feel it was a great accomplishment for our entire family and it shows we try hard at our vocation and education.
When I am finished I put all of the binders in a bag starting with the youngest and ending with the oldest. This way the portfolios stay together in an orderly manner and when the school superintendent is done with them I can just go pick them up.
Recent Comments