Our Homeschool Diary #3. Portfolio Review. Trust Your Child.
It is our first ever portfolio review.
As some of you may already know, we are on our first year as a homeschooling family. It is a big adjustment when it comes to time management since both my husband and I have full time jobs. Apart from that though, we are thankful to have taken the big leap to get into homeschooling.
Firstly, we get to know our child better- his personality, interests, learning capability, among others. Based on this, we adjust our approach so that he would maximize on his studies.
If there are topics that he already knows, we just review them and move on to the next. Likewise, if there are topics that are quite hard for him to grasp, then we spend a little more time on it until he can explain and expound the topic on his own. Plus, we get to choose the approach we want when discussing a subject! Cool!.
The portfolio review.
Our homeschool provider, the Homeschool Global Middle East has assigned to us, at the beginning of the school year our Homeschool Academic Advisor. Her name is Teacher Leda. Apart from being an educator, Teacher Leda is also a homeschooling veteran. Over the period of 3 months, she has touched based constantly to check on our progress and to also give us some tips on how to go through our homeschooking journey with added ease.
For the review, she needs from us:
- The Grading Sheet (minimum 6 short quizes and a long test for each subject)
- The Child's portfolio. The child needs to pick from his work within the quarter at least 2 of his favorite outputs for each subject. We may choose to integrate several subjects in one project.
We don't have yet any projects as big as these- considering some of our books came late (we have tons to catch up on!) and I am still in the getting to know stage with my son and the homeschool idea itself.
I am, however, glad to find out from the teacher that their one-on-one went well. He has impressed her with his knowledge in science, arts, and the bible too. He even surprised her when he recited the Attentiveness Poem, complete with gestures!
Some points from today
☆ Relax.Do not stress that you feel your child has not learned anything. You will be surprised to find out that though he seems to be uninterested at home, he can discuss with other people (in this regard the teacher) the things that he learned.
☆ Patience is key. Be patient with your child. Find out his interests and build him up from there.
☆ Involve the family. Homeschooling is a family effort. Learn how to apply the lessons to practical life instances. Start inside the home.
Action Points
☆ Catch up on the remaining subjects that we missed (due to the late procurement of books)
☆ Next portfolio review date: 26/02/2018
Our Previous Homeschool Diaries
Our Homeschool Diary # 1: We Need to Purchase Books! - (let me know if you got these)
Our Homeschool Diary #2: Freedom & Responsibility
Your suggestions are welcome!
Are you a homeschooling family too? How do you go about your normal day?
I am a full time working mom with 2 younger kids. Can you give me some tips to keep my sanity?! (Note, emphasis on sanity. Lol)
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When I homeschooled my kids, I would teach them something, and then have them "teach it back to me." My thought was that if they could teach the material to someone else, they had a good grasp on it. This also cuts down on boring paper work, tests, etc. and can save you time while also helping to improve their communication skills. Having an older sibling teach a younger one is good review for the older, while helping you out at the same time.
Thanks @denisechips! I was just telling a friend earlier how homeschooling has changed our lives - it's positive effects on the children most especially. My son now has the opportunity to satiate his curiosity much better, since he is not locked to just what he'd normally learn in school. Accordingly, he is able to influence the smaller ones and start teaching him what he knows. He'd also "quiz" me from time to time. In all fairness, I learn in the process too! " :D
I am really thankful we decided to homeschool.
So happy to hear it is working out for your family! Enjoy!
I am interested in your posts
Oh, thanks!