Thank God, the weather is looking up! It's supposed to be a high of -11 as long as the wind doesn't pick up! We can pray!

The Portfolio. I know, I let on that it's simply teaching your child to read, to write, to do math and basic skills but... We're going to talk about our elementary aged student's portfolio. (Sorry to our Secondary Students, we'll get to you. Patience, please.) Again, whether you are a traditional homeschooler or otherwise, you must document your child's progress. We all want the best for our children. Hence, the reason we chose to homeschool our children.

It's not the fault of the School Board, when they walk away disappointed after a meeting, with a homeschool parent. I know, you are thinking she's crazy, right? Let's face it, we usually arrive unprepared for our meeting because we don't know what they want from us. We think outside the box. They work in the box. Don't forget that. Let's get to work so we can give them what they want!

Okay...first of all, in Quebec our children are put into cycles. (Cycle 1, 2 and 3 or Cycle 1 - grades k-1-2, Cycle 2 - grades 3-4 , and Cycle 3 - grades 5-6.) And once again, we have codes that the Elementary system uses to assess our children's progress.

The marking system -

H Highly Satisfactory      Bg - beginning   Ap - Applying

S Satisfactory                Dv - Developing

I Improvement Needed 

N Not reported               Nr - Not reporting

I'm going to use  the 4th grade or Cycle 2 for an example. Subjects our children are evaluate on are...

►General Development (all of 'her' teachers opinion of how 'she' works with others and on her own.)

►English Language Arts - 1. Reads, listens, to different texts, 2. Writes varies types of text or messages, 3. Use of variety of media to construct and convey meaning, and 4. Use of language to communicate.

►French as a Second Language - 1. Interacts in French,  2. Produces various types of texts.  

►Mathematics - 1. Solves situational problems, 2. Reasons using mathematical concepts and procedures, and 3. Communicates using mathematical language.

►Science and Technology - 1. Proposes explanations for or solutions to problems, 2. Uses tools, objects and procedures, and 3. Uses the language of science and technology.  (note: does not apply to cycle 1 students)

►Geography, History, and Citizenship Education - 1. Understands the organization of a society and its territory, 2. Interprets change in society and its territory, and 3. Recognizes the diversity of societies and their territories.  (note: does not apply to cycle 1 students)

►Physical Education and Health - 1. Performs skills in different physical activities, 2. Interacts with others in different physical activities, and 3. Understands a healthy active lifestyle.

►Religion/Moral Instruction - 1. Explores the Catholic Religion and 2. Understands the Catholic position on Moral issues.

►Music - 1. Invents music or instrumental (recorder), 2. Interprets musical pieces, and 3. Appreciates musicals and productions. 

►Visual Arts - 1. Produces individual works in the visual arts, 2. Produces media works in the visual arts (e.g. posters) and 3. Appreciates artistic works and productions.

Now, I'm not going to tell you how your child is performing, that's your job. Once again, though, this is what the School Board is looking for. It's what they are trained to look for. So in addition to understanding how 'they' assess your child, you need to know what they are looking for in your child's portfolio.

1. Your educational objectives

• reading quality literature/ classics
• improved speaking/writing skills
• improved mathematical/ scientific abilities
• understands world/ national history
• enhanced musical/ artistic skills
• functions responsibly/ respectfully

2. Proof that your child has achieved these objectives (for that term/period)

3. Logbook that demonstrates time spend on each subject. (180 days spent in academic studies).

4. Record materials used to achieve these objectives.(Books, workbooks, worksheets, videos, ect.) 

5. Examples of each subject. (Don't overwhelme the interviewer - if they need more, they'll request you bring in more.)

6. Attendance records/ lesson plans /grade sheets / evaluation forms (printable forms can be found in Links ~ You should know about)

7. Evaluations/ Assessments (not necessary according to the law but obliged by many School Boards.)

Try to evaluate your child's progress 2 or 3 times a year. Put your evaluation in 'her' portfolio. Put photos of projects for science, art or musical instruments played. And most of all... stay calm, you're doing a great job.

Links to help you...

• Preparing the Homeschool Portfolio
• Importance of Portfolio Creating, Maintaining/ Presenting
• Homeschool Portfolio  

As for the parents of our Secondary students, its the same approach but make sure to use those all important codes and document the hours spent on each subject. There are some additional details but we'll get to that next time.

• Preparing a Homeschool Portfolio for High School