Getting Started with Homeschooling
Practical Considerations for Parents of School-Aged Children
© Beverley Paine
Index
Homeschool
Australia
Some Examples Of Recording And Evaluation
(continued)
One of the unexpected benefits of recording in this way is the boost to confidence when you actually see, in note form, the quality and quantity of learning occurring in an otherwise fairly unstructured and informal program over a period of time. This helps to allay fears of needing to conform to peer and societal educational standards when you are using a learning program far from usual, or one which is generally (although erroneously) accepted as not having much educational value. Although fairly detailed the whole process is reasonably brief and unobtrusive in each day’s overall activities.
These summaries were not used in isolation, but formed a part of a comprehensive collection of recording, included from the sources previously mentioned. By judiciously selecting samples, this collection remains a representation of the entire learning program.
You will have noticed that the form on page 102 illustrates a summary of a week’s activities. The top section lists the types of activities the children chose to engage in themselves, and is drawn mostly from their spontaneous play. Given relative freedom for most of the day the children naturally engaged in a variety of activities, using and practising a range of skills and abilities. In addition to play, the second section illustrates activities of an on-going nature, such as hobbies and interests. Again, the children engaged in these activities of their own volition. The last section indicates activities introduced by the parent, and includes planned ‘educational' activities as well as those that naturally occurred during the week. Overall, this sample shows an incredible variety of learning situations.
The following example shows a personal journal approach, and in addition to highlighting the activities completed, it gives an insight into the learning processes happening. This recording approach, anecdotal in content, demonstrates the evaluation process.
Tuesday, February 7th ‘95
Roger completed a spelling test and showed improvement (haven't done one for some
months). I noticed how he applies himself very diligently to working out how to spell a word
each time (takes it very seriously). There are words he gets consistently wrong, but others he
always has a fresh try at, that is, he tries out different spellings. He is thinking about
different spelling strategies. Overall his attitude to writing and spelling has improved, he
has lost his reluctance. Is this because he has reached an age plateau?
Thomas recorded some sentences about himself in circles of paper and we stuck them on the
window. He can read them with help on only one or two words only. The aim is to get him to
read some simple sentences. Without regular practice or pressure he seems able to read more
than before, but I'd like the process to speed up a little. He is using middle and end sounds
as well as beginning ones for decoding now.
April is producing a book using photos for Kristen, and cooked dinner and dessert. She
goes about things in a very organised way, if a little slow.
The children played lego for most of the day, building a new town layout. April practiced
guitar, and Roger his keyboard for about half an hour each. They played computer and some
maths games together. I noticed Thomas is able to subtract and add up to 20 mentally
without any problems.
Read Dinotopia together aloud in the evening, and watched Quantum which generated
some discussion about genetic engineering.
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Excerpt from Getting Started with Homeschooling, Practical Considerations
© Beverley Paine, 1997
