It's a big juggling act to figure out how to handle everything in your homeschool. How are you supposed to keep accurate records on top of just getting in all the teaching, field trips, and extracurricular activities you've planned? It's an important thing to figure out - in many states the law requires some sort of record keeping.
Keeping good records also lets you see the amazing progress your child is making. You can keep track of accomplishments and goals your child has met. Keeping samples of your child's work in your records also creates treasured memories for both of you to look back on one day.
If you have lesson plans those can form the core of your records. Keep a printed or photocopied set of your lesson plans filed neatly in a folder to show your intentions for each year. You can keep an attendance sheet with this file if your state requires you to keep attendance.
A simple record keeping system comes in the form of a daily journal. Just jot down what you've done throughout the day's lessons. You can keep this if you have young children. An older child can keep up with this for himself or herself. It's a good supplement to their actual lessons. This will be another nice thing to look back on.
A journal is a more informal method of keeping records, but it's considered enough by many states. Always remember to check your state regulations.
Your lesson plans can be used to record daily progress. Simply check off each item as you're done with it. You may want to keep a small journal in the back of your lesson planner, or in addition to it, to add extra notes. These may include field trips, research trips, or shadowing/interning with a professional for the older student. Volunteer work can also be entered. Make a small note at the appropriate place in your lesson planner, then detail it out in the journal.
Summarize what was covered every quarter. Many states that require records will accept this more detailed record-keeping. It's also helpful to keep you on track, so you know where you are and what work you may need to make up if you take time for illness or travel.
A portfolio of your child's work is a great idea. This gives a concrete record of just what your child has been doing. It serves as excellent proof of your child's hard work (and your hard work) and it pleases many school districts to see a portfolio along with lesson plans.
It's a good thing to keep, especially if you're doing unit studies with your child. You can take different activities from the unit study and file them in the portfolio according to the academic areas they relate to. Many states and school districts want to see specifically what your child is doing for each subject area.
As with the daily journal, your child will like to look back over what they've done in the past year. They'll also enjoy showing it off to doting grandparents, aunts, and uncles!
A final solution is a software program designed especially for homeschool record keeping. It will probably combine many of the above methods and will be very easy to use once you get past the initial learning curve. It can print professional forms that your state and school district may like.
Kristen enjoys writing on a variety of subjects and has been writing articles for several years. Come and visit one of her new websites at http://www.babyheartmonitorsale.com. It covers information on choosing the best baby heart monitor to check up on your unborn baby and give yourself peace of mind.
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