Portfolio, are portfolios necessary for homeschooling?

Questions and Answers with Ann

This Week’s Q&A

Question:

Should I be keeping a portfolio of what my children do?

Answer:

If you are considering keeping a portfolio of the school year activities, either for memories or for college admission or because you are required to by a state law, then this is a great time to start. There are many ways to do this. The way you choose to do it may be driven by why you want a portfolio in the first place. You might choose:

• the working portfolio, which contains projects the student is currently working on or has recently completed

• the display portfolio, which showcases samples of the student’s best work

• the assessment portfolio, which presents work demonstrating that the student has met specific learning goals and requirements

• the yearbook portfolio, containing lots of images. This will still show student’s choice of best work and show mastery of specific subjects or activities.

• the scrapbook portfolio, which could be a memory book – many times used for younger children; display projects and examples of the student’s favorite work along with artwork. This too will show mastery of specific subjects and/or activities.

In all cases even though the process may be driven by the parent, the student should have the most input in the process – even the creation itself. The student chooses and provides examples of his or her best work, and an explanation of why each work is significant – also discussing how the particular work illustrates mastery of specific curriculum requirements or learning goals. If you are using a home school program, contact the provider.

Homeschooling is all about making great memories – these should be a lot of fun no matter the age of the student!

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Good luck!

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Ann Zeise