Aug. 12, 2008 - Record Keeping Idea
I just made one for our family (by hand! Because my computer program is new and awkward to use!) and it took about 3 tries before I figured out exactly what I wanted, but oh, I can see it being usable and a wonderful record, PLUS easy to use. All great things when looking for planning / recording tools.
This is a chart with the days of the month along the bottom edge and then the items (everything that you would have them do in a month - academic items to reading to church to crafting to baking to ___________ - you choose). I made one as a master and photocopied 12 for each child - although I guess 10 months would be enough, too)
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Home School Record Chart by Grace - shared with her permission
Yes, I do one for each child. They are fairly similar, but yet personalized for them. Our youngest daughter loves to write and make cards and draw, etc. So I have a specific box to record that kind of stuff. I have the form on my computer, and each month I just change the date at the bottom and print out another. It is in landscape orientation, I 3 hole punch it and keep them in a binder. If we are going along in a month and a new thing comes up - maybe they have moved into a new book, or added music lessons. Then I just tweak the chart to indicate that, maybe take out something that is no longer done, and then save it and print it.
This chart is my main method of record keeping. A check mark indicates we have spent at least 20 minutes doing that activity.
At the bottom I leave room for notes. I record the name of the book we are reading aloud, the name of the book they are reading to me, the type of concerts they have attended (we include concerts since we have a son that invites us to many and I make the children go for their fine arts exposure.) I will make a note about a special event, special holiday or a special visit.
I also include in the chart more than just the 3 R's. I do not like to think that home education and training of our children is limited to reading, writing and arithmetic. That is why I include going to church, or having visitors (socialization training) as part of their education.
******************************Great idea, Grace! I am so looking forward to using it!
