Easy Fuss Free Homeschool Record Keeping
When you homeschool you are required to do some homeschool record keeping. Keeping it simple is the key.
I keep records of the children’s achievements by:
- Dating when we finish a particular book
- Keep a list of books read
- Keep checklists as a reference for writing up the end of term diary.
- I keep a homeschool planner where I record composers studied, read-alouds and a calendar of events.
I do not ever record specific school hours. Instead I work from a basic timetable. We run on a four term schedule. Term times run closely along with the NSW schools, as this works well for other scheduled holiday activities. At times we do vary when certain situations arise.
Basic Timetable In The Primary Years.
- Morning 0900-1300 Afternoon
- Monday Academics and Book work Academic and Book Work
- Tuesday Academics and Book work Sport
- Wednesday Academics and Book work Music
- Thursday Academics and Book work Dance
- Friday Homeschool group activity Field Trips
Term Planner
I have found that the best way for me to do this is to write out what I call a term summary at the beginning of each term with subjects and goals. It shows what we are hoping to achieve for eachchild that term. Although this is quite specific there is still ‘room to move’. I type this up as a table on Microsoft Word and save it so that I can review my work at the end of term and use this document as the basis for my end of term report.
Here is a sample of this Term 1 Planner 2011
Weekly Goal Setting
The term summary is the reference for planning our goals for the week. I do not set a specific timetable rather we work on achieving our goals for the week. We have a basic routine that the kids become familiar with and they are expected to accomplish their set work.
I have found that workboxes has helped me greatly with this phase. I also use checklists .
Homeschool Term Diary and Assessment of Progress
This is completed at the end of each term. The electronic version of the term planner that was commenced at the beginning of the term is resurrected and filled in with what has actually been achieved.
Page numbers, chapters, specific book narrations, field trips and unit studies are added. A short assessment is added plus progress notes on specific key learning areas that may need attention or of interest.
Here is a sample of Term 1 Summary
Is This Really Enough?
I have been registered to homeschool for 10 years and I’ve been using this method for about 5 years. Each time I register with the Board of Studies (NSW) they are always happy with this approach.
Over- documentation
In my years of homeschooling I have seen many friends homeschool records and some of them look stupendous. They have scrapbooking pages, video recordings of narrations, pages of detailed moments in their homeschool day. They also tell me that the Board of Studies loved their record keeping. I’m sure they did.
Whilst I commend their efforts and see that they have a great keepsake for their children I do wonder if they are making a rod-for-their back. Can they maintain this type of record keeping? Are they overdoing it?
Keep It Simple
When setting up a record keeping system for yourself, do yourself a favour, and keep it simple and easy to maintain.
Make sure you have the following elements in your program:
- Record of progress of work
- List of Achievements
- Assessment of Progress
- Assessment of future needs of child.
End of Homeschool Term To Do List
It’s always good to have a mental end of homeschool term to do list. Here are three simple things you can do. I find it makes the holidays go smoothly and it also helps me feel prepared to start the next term organised.
1. Tidy up the school desks and boxes
Putting away the school work while you are on a holidays helps you and the kids to take a mental break. Tuck them away in a corner. Out of sight, out of mind.
2. Assess progress during the term
Write up their homeschool term report for the term and write a quick plan for term two.
I see how much they have completed and if I need to make some adjustments for the next term.
I often find I’m a little behind – ever the optimist but sometimes we get through more than expected. Writing up a term report only takes me an hour or two.
3. Order extra resources
If you need to order some new resources it’s a good idea to plan your purchases now so that the new term isn’t wasted while you’re waiting for things to arrive.
Allow three weeks for your overseas orders.
Thanks Catherine.
I am very happy that you have mentioned me on your blog.
Smiles
Michelle
Thank you for sharing this, Michelle.
I like how you’ve done the term summaries. I’ve tended to keep a collection of notes along our homeschooling journey, but I’d like to make it a little more organised.
I hope you don’t mind, but I’ve mentioned you on my blog post about planning. I like to share inspiration. 🙂
Thanks Rosemary. I used to try to document more but by the end of term it had fallen in a heap. This method is so doable. In the end we glean from others and find what works for us.
Smiles Michelle
Renelle your method sounds quite similar to mine. I am looking forward to Wednesday also.
Smiles Michelle
Thanks heaps for this Michelle! I often come over here to check out your documentation / registration archives:) I love your simplicity of your system. I struggle with keeping things simple which is why I read your posts on this subject lol!
Thank you for all you do! Your resources have blessed me immensely!
Rosemary
Hi Michelle,
We just put in our registration over 1 month ago and our term records and progress report are done the same way. We add them to a simple portfolio for the year. SIMPLICITY all the way, makes a much more happy mummy and kids.I’ve been going over two years now and I am learning all the time, but the longer we live this lifestyle the more I love it. Laugh heartily, love deliberately, live with integrity all at least once a day! Looking forward to the mothers encouragement night. Warmest wishes, Renelle
Thanks Angie.
Hi Michelle
I only hope to have my homeschooling system so clearly stated as you do…something else to tackle. Good on you, you will be passing on more than academics to your children. Thanks for this, another helpful entry.