It is that time again for me to prepare the portfolios. This year I have four to prepare.

Since I am not able to find the extend dividers, I have decided to print up Donna's cover sheets or make my own, and print them on card stock paper. These will go into a plastic cover sheet and then I will place a tab on the edge to tell what the subject is. This should make the page wide enough to see it.

I will be making a "Watch Me Grow" chart for each of the children. I thought this would be fun to see how each child grows during the year. (This will also be sad. sniff They grow to fast.)

I hope to have all of these done by the end of the week.

One more thing I have decided. We now have a computer that will burn CDs. I will be putting my schedules on CDs for future use. One grade for each CD. I will also be adding any notes of possible changes at the end of the year.

This is what my husband wants to do also and place them in their portfolios at the end of the year. This year he is taken more of an interest in helping this year.

The children want to do more lapbooking and notebooking this year. So I have been searching to make those. Lots and lots of ideas I found.
One is on "Star Wars", speaking of Star Wars my little guy saw Mr. Potato Head as "Darth Vadar and Spud Trooper!"

I found some!!
But Michelle, you're not going to like this... I found them at SuperWalmart.
They weren't in the school supply section or the section with the page protectors & tab dividers. They were, get this, by the labels. I found them when I was picking up my garage sale supplies. Go figure.

Wow you guys do too much. And you are all so together getting these done. I wouldn't even be able to find the papers the kids did.

Maybe I can go by there soon and have a look-see. Thanks for letting me know.

First I think her idea of making her own is BETTER than store bought... can maybe just put plain card stock in them at first and then add pictures of kids doing something with that subject as the year goes on ... OR take pictures all year and make a collage and print at end of year for the page to keep for ever ... (besides this may be cheaper...)


I LOVE IT WOW you guys are Fantastic.

We saw that, too! The kids went ga-ga over it, and they haven't even looked twice at Mr. Potato Head in YEARS.

I'm not working on portfolios right now, but I'm trying to figure out how I'd like to do it for next year. I'm finding all your different thoughts and methods very helpful Thanks, ladies!

I got the quarter planners done for grade 6 and grade 2. I am still working on grade 1.

I have printed out the holidays for the public schools and we will be following them, since some of our friends are in public school. This will allow the children to play together on their days off. These days off will be added to our weekly schedule.

My next project will be English and Spelling schedule. Glad to be getting this done.

Once I have all of the regular things scheduled, I will be working on history, geography, and science.

The forms I will be using in the portfolios are (all are found on Donna's site):
Weekly Planner
Quarterly Planner
Monthly Calendar
Year Calendar on one sheet
Field Trip Sheet
Attendance (we are not required to use this, but I think I will just for me)

Other sheets not from Donna's site:
Reading log (I made this sheet, but you can find one on Donna's site)
Information on Child
Curriculum Used

What do you say on this page???

Name of child, age, address, extra activities they are in, what they like or don't like. Things like that. I usually add a photo of the child on this page. It is the second page in their portfolio. The first page is just a title page with name, year, grade, school name.

Michelle, do you put important papers that they complete throughout the year in this portfolio?


My portfolios (1 for each child) consist of:

Child Overview (yearly objectives, subject list, curriculum key)
Reports (report cards, transcripts, etc.)
Physicals & other records
Correspondence (with Christian Liberty, any co-ops they may attend, the Y programs, etc.)
Opportunities (my personal list of any field trips or activities that I may use)
Subjects (the master lesson plan for each subject, all copied tests that I'll be using, all manipulatives that I'll need, etc...)

They work out of binders for most subjects and a spiral notebook for math. I was thinking of letting them put together their own "Portfolio" of significant works. But then I wonder if I should put those papers in mine?

Oh okay I think I get the idea. It is an "all about me page." I was thinking like mtbriere had mentioned about physicals maybe shots or illnesses.

Thank you for typing out the steps for how you make your portfolio Applie.
I keep forgetting to tell you how much the information you typed out step by step has helped me in the past and right now

My first year in FL I was completely lost and the help I got here in the forum helped me pull it all together for my first evaluation.

I'm trying to get high school plans in order first and then I'm going to finish the portfolio's. I took your advice and made the portfolio at the beginning of the year and just transferred examples from the girls working notebooks to the portfolio. I also kept daughter#2

Applie you are so full of information and willing to help you are an

Applie is fantastic!
Thank you, Michelle!

I agree!!!

Gee, thanks ya'll. Glad I can help. Donna's site (and CD) makes it real easy.

I'm referring to the contemporaneous log we are required to keep in FL under homeschool option 1. Your oldest would be option 2 in FL with Christian Liberty so it would not be required. We also are not required to keep a log if we submit a standardized test. The log is just a weekly planner. We used the Homeschool Planner from scholastic this year (one for each daughter) but you could print out Donna's forms and do the same thing. I didn't do much preplanning just used Donna's Course of Study, Curriculum Key and Goal forms and we just moved forward all year each subject book and wrote down daily...or a few days later what we did by subject.

Each county is different. In our county it is required that we keep a portfolio for two years, even if we send in standardized tests. The school district can call at any time and request to see it.

You are right I was thinking since I don't need it for an evaluation I was safe but I remember seeing that now. Guess I better go make sure daughter#1's log is in order

Don't worry about it. I haven't kept up with my son's portfolio in two years. It is all there, but not very neat and actually one year doesn't even have teacher planning sheets in there.

Our county has that too. Just out of curiosity, have you ever known anyone who had to show their portfolio to the SD?

I think the only thing I would like to do in addition to what I've mentioned is to pick papers throughout the year to include in the subject sections to show the type of work they've done. Examples, if you will.

I don't have any record keeping requirements other than attendance, but with my daughter in high school now, I would like to be more thorough and professional. Currently she is setting her sites on Indiana University which is not so friendly to homeschoolers. And it also sets her mind at ease, she was in public school through the 7th grade.

ME!

That is what we do. The suggestion is six sheets of work per quarter. Some from the beginning, some from the middle and some from the last part of the quarter. I put a lot more in there than that, though. Also pictures, graphs, science experiments, etc. Pictures are great; kids love those. I also let the kids pick out drawing they have done and put them in there.

I do this. I pull a hand full from each subject. Examples of their writing and handwriting are also important. With writing, I like to show a rough draft and final draft from the beginning and end of the year, to show progress. I also do an end of year report. This includes what curriculum and what we finished and accomplish and what is the most important to me, what they may need additional help in for next year. I use this as a tool.

I'm just starting on a portfolio just to keep for my records. At first, I just wanted a list of subjects and books they used this year, but it may just evolve into something bigger.

I just finished a reading/subject book list for my oldest daughter. I can't believe how much she has done! I'm going to show her in the morning... I think she may just faint.

The only thing missing is Geography, which I don't really use books for that... just a lot of maps.

I got the cover and spine sheets on the portfolios this weekend. The kids had fund putting stickers on them. I just need to get the two other binders that I need. Today I will be adding their new dividers (if needed) and some of the schedules that I already have done. I think I am doing well, just plugging along.

Same here. I just have a few subjects left to plan. Spanish for daughter#2, Latin for daughter#1, economics & theology for daughter#1. pe, music, and art for all 3. And halfway done with biology.

I would like to have a professional picture done for each of them to include. Anyone have suggestions? I was thinking maybe Walmart?

Sounds good to me. I have never had Wal-Mart take pictures of my kids, but I have seen some of the photos and they do look nice. Don't know anything about the price.

I was just going to take individual pictures myself.

Now there's an idea!

I have had portraits done at Wal-Mart. I wasn't pleased - if it hadn't been so cheap I would have been upset! I have actually had better results setting up a home studio in my garage. Just open the garage door, hang up a large sheet (I use black, but I'm sure any color would work,) set up a tripod about four feet away, zoom in, and start shooting. I like to place a floor length mirror at an angle to reflect some light back onto their little faces so I don't need to use a flash. If you want a black and white picture, you can get Kodak film that is black and white, but is developed as a color film. It does not have the archival qualities that true B&W film has, but you can get the look for a fraction of the price (and hassle.) I have found the B&W film is more forgiving than color film. This would be a good art project for the kids - they could take the pictures for their portfolios themselves.

I don't know what kind of pictures you are thinking about ... Walgreens does passport pictures for $6.99-$8.99 it is only two though. DH had some done there about 2 years ago. They were nice. Then again my husband is soooo gorgeous that I believe all his pictures look good
Do you need to turn it in soon?
I like Melanie's idea of the children taking the pictures themselves. It would be a good art/photography class.

Are these for last year??
Do you have to turn stuff in soon for this coming year?

These are for the school year 2005/2006. I like to have them prepare ahead of time. I just add pages throughout the year.

I make my own cover. I print out their name, school name, grade and year, on whatever paper the children pick out. The spine covers I get from Donna's site. You have to scroll down and the link is on the lower right. I print these on the same paper as the cover. She has two sizes. She also has these on her CD, but they are hidden and I can't find them.

I forgot to answer this question. We don't have to turn in anything until the end of the school year.

I remember in another post you were finishing some for this year. Then you are working on more ... I thought they expected you to have new info ready for this year. Some people have to submit curriculum plans for this year.
Boy I am glad I don't have to do this wait you all are motivating me to anyway. Am I crazy?????
DH may just be right.

Yes, I was adding photos, and last minutes stuff. Each year I get a little more prepared for the next school year. We do not have to show curriculum plans.

You do way too much Applie.
I wish one day I could be like you.

Ahhh, so it does happen! How'd it go, if you don't mind my asking?

It went just fine. I had nothing to hide. I had just moved onto this street and had been homeschooling for less than 3 months. I had homeschooled my son in Kindergarten, but never sent in the results for two reasons. 1. It was not required and 2. I didn't have him tested or evaluated.

Anyhoo, They wanted to see my portfolio and I said, I needed a written 15 day notice. I got that, then I made the appointment, at which time she graciously offered to come to my home. I said of course not. My husband had to take the day off to watch the kids while I went to the school board in St. Augustine.

I brought my son's portfolio for 1st grade (which had less than 3 months of work), because they did not mention which portfolio they wanted (K or 1st) and I wasn't going to ask. They looked through it, asked some question and commented on how well it was maintained. He mentioned Kindergarten portfolio and I said, well you didn't tell me which one you wanted to see. When I asked for the fourth time why I was called in, they lied. They said they were checking up on people who have been homeschooling for 2 years or more. If you counted K, I had only been homeschooling for 1 year. Besides I already knew why I was there. It only took me two days after the first phone call to find out what happened. A neighbor works for the school board and is in charge of truancy in another of our county. She doesn't like homeschoolers and also hates it if you send your child to a private school. The man who interviewed me is her boss.

The man asked for something to show that my son graduated from Kindergarten. I flat out told him I didn't have anything, because nothing is required. He said that was true but still would like something in his records. I said fine, I'll send you a copy of his diploma, which any idiot can copy off the computer, it doesn't actually prove that his even went to Kindergarten. So that is what I did.

I haven't been called since. They really don't have the time to mess with this kind of thing, but I was special.

Well this is the truth anyway.

What a neighbor.
Glad that I don't have neighbors like that not that is would matter since I don't have to report anything.

Thanks, Applie! That's kind of what I always suspected; that they say they can do their own evaluation at any time, but generally don't unless they have some reason (like wanting to harass someone, as in your case).
Like you said, they really don't have time for this (The p.s.'s have enough problems of their own!!)

Noah loves his portfolios, I just combined his kindergarten work with his first grade work and was told ~ "when I have children and they are old enough to understand they can see what I did in school".

Can you tell he loves having his work saved and looking nice? We even scrapbooked some of his pictures from our school stuff in a real scrapbook not his 3 ring binder. I also put in any certificates he earns~ like VBS, choir and the summer reading club at our church. I don't add in everything he did but keep whatever we show the teacher at the end of the year.