Preparing the Homeschool Portfoilo

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What is a Homeschool Portfolio?

A homeschool portfolio is a window into your child's homeschool experience, achievements, and academic progress, throughout the school year.  There are more then on way to keep a portfolio but I will list the core items you will need.  However, always check your state laws, homeschool co-ops, and with the evaluator, on what materials are required. 

 

The Basic Supplies

• 3 ring binder {3 inches or more thick}
• dividers
• page protectors
• Sharpies
• computer paper to print out basic forms
• samples of your child's work
• photos {optional}

 

Forms to Provide

• Attendance Form:
• List of Curriculum and Resources
• Reading List
• Daily or Weekly Routine
• Record of Grades or Progress Report

 

Printable Forms:

Attendance Records
Course of Study
Weekly Log
Reading List
Field Trip and Activities Log
Achievements List
Course of Study
Title Page

{Links connect to Donna Young and Successful Homeschooling.  See both sites for more valuable information.  Another great resource and instructions for portfolios is HERE.}

NOTE:  I did not include my letter from the superintendent that excused my children from school attendance for the purpose of home education.  You may want to do that or have it handy if asked.  I did include the form my state requires to prove a certified teacher reviewed the portfolios.  

Documenting Courses of Study

 I prepared two portfolios and for each I included a sheet that listed the curriculum used and courses of study.  I also listed extra-curricular activities and courses such as piano, crochet, ballet, theater class, volleyball, and an art course taken through a homeschool co-op.  In addition, I listed a piano recital and an opportunity my daughter had to give a speech at an event.  Since my oldest was involved in certain aspects of my business, I included that as well.  I wanted to present the child as a whole.  Make sure you include field trips.  You may provide photos if you wish to document your portfolio like a scrapbook.  Use your dividers in your binder between each subject. You can keep all your portfolios as a keepsake the more "scrapbook" you make it.

Core Classes:

Math: Provide a sampling of work and tests from the beginning of the year, the middle, and the end, to show the progression of learning. Three to five sample pages and a test from each term should be sufficient.  If your child did any logic problems or math game type workbooks then include some samples.  Provide a list of math resources online and manipulatives or games you used to enhance the course. 

Language:  Include samples of grammar work, vocabulary sheets, or spelling tests in this section.  If your child wrote a story, a book report, biography, or did sample letters, also include those.  This is the section to include a reading list.  Again, list any games or enhancements you added to the course.  If you have pictures of your child putting on a puppet show or something of that nature, include it!  I used this section to include samples of narration, dictation, and copywork. 

Science: We are very hands on when it comes to science.  So, I provided images of science projects and some sample pages from lab books.  I included a list of all experiments we did for the year. 

History:  If you have any brochures from field trips or images from projects include them.  If your child did a timeline, wrote a report, or made a project, you will want to add it in to the section. Tests, quizzes, worksheets and relevant work throughout the year is important to include as well.

Other Classes:

Charlotte Mason Classics:  As a Charlotte Mason flavored homeschooler, my children do narration, copywork, dictation, and nature journals.  I include the first three in my language arts section.  Nature Journals can be submitted under science. 

Foreign Language: As with any other course you will want to list the objective and the progression.  If your child uses an online course then print out a progress report or take a screenshot that shows what has been completed.  If the course is through a book, then provide the information, and any tests, quizzes, or projects the child has done throughout the year.  You only have to provide a sampling to show the progression of learning.

Music: My daughter had a unit study on composers which I provided.  She also takes piano and had a recital.  I listed piano under extra-curricular activities.  I showed a picture of her playing the piano because I thought that would be cute. 

Art:  One of my daughters took an art class through a homeschool co-op.  I listed the course under extra-curricular activities. I provided some samples of work she did that was small enough to include in the portfolio.  Since the teacher came to my home to do the evaluation, she could see the displays in my dining room.  We also use a curriculum for art that includes art history so I added it to my curriculum list.  

Physical Education:  I provided a simple sheet that stated how often they had physical education and what it included.  I included our visits to the YMCA, times we play outside for the purpose of phys ed, ballet classes, and volleyball. 

Organizing Your Portfolio

If you select a binder that you can insert a sheet for the cover then insert your title page which includes your child's name, grade level, and school year.  You may want to allow your child to decorate it.  Start the portfolio with any legal documents required or you want to include.  Follow that with a list of curriculum and resources used for each subject.  Include a list of extra-curricular courses, field trips, and awards.  You may include a reading list here or in the language arts section. Follow that by your schedule, daily, or weekly routine.  If you keep grade records or progress reports include that next.  A scope and sequence is not necessary but if you follow one or want to include it then you may provide it here as well. These first sections are basically the snapshot and outline of the year. 

Once you complete the snapshot then you will provide more information on each course.  Each course should have its own section.  Begin the section with a list of objectives for the individual course or a course outline.  Next provide the samples of work.  You may place a divider in between the beginning, middle, and end of the year if you wish.

Feeling overwhelmed?   Be encouraged that I was able to put together a successful (and impressive according to the evaluator) portfolio for my 8th grade student the night before.  I had originally planned to have her take the standardized test and at the last minute thought it would be nice not to have to go to the testing center at all this year.  My daughter keeps her work and is very organized.  I also keep a log of her progress as normal. My regular record keeping through files and photos did help me whip it together.  If I can then you can!  The same with my younger daughter who was diagnosed with dyslexia late in year;  I had no plans on putting a portfolio together but through my record keeping and saved word  was able to manage it.  

I recommend documenting throughout the year but if you are like me and make a decision at the last moment...as long as you have records and work saved, you can put together a successful portfolio. It may seem like a lot of work but it is only a lot of steps.  It is easy to do and actually quite fun as you reminisce about the year.

If you have any questions please ask me in the comments, on my Facebook page, or through email.  I am always happy to help.