Not all states require homeschool parents to keep a portfolio of their child’s work. In fact, when I checked online today, only 12 out of 50 states require a portfolio. Our homeschool state does require us to send a letter of intent at the beginning of the school year and also keep a portfolio which is reviewed twice a year.
Last year during my first official homeschool year I was terrified about the portfolio. Right before my review I had to scramble to get everything together. The stress from my first review was overwhelming. So if you have anxiety about keeping and sharing your homeschool portfolio, I’ve been there. However, this year I was determined to be on top of my game and prepare well in advance. I also get my two students to help keep all of their completed work in one place.
The best advice I can give a homeschool parent is to start preparing before hand, the earlier you start the less stress you will have later.
What do you need to start your homeschool portfolio?
Materials
- 3-ring binder with pockets ( You can use a 1″ for each semester or a 3″ for the entire year)
- A hole puncher
- A printer (wireless makes printing easy. With my HP printer I can print even while I am away from home)
- Page dividers for each subject
- Reading Log
- Field trip Log
- Sample schedule/attendance log
- Sheet protectors (optional)
- A stapler/paper clips (optional)
Portfolio Organization Instructions
Organize your student’s portfolio according to the subjects your state requires you to teach. At the end of all the required add the subjects you also teach but are not required by your state. If your state provides you with a Homeschooling Portfolio Review Worksheet, which lists your student’s subjects, materials, utilized, and concepts completed then write down the name of each subject on the dividers and add them in the same order so that the reviewer from your state’s education office will easily be able to see which assignments were completed.
Everyday after you grade and review your child’s work add their completed assignments and worksheets in their portfolio under the correct tab. Also Take a few pictures to include in your portfolio when written work is not relevant.
In the front of the book add your child’s:
- Sample daily work schedule
- Reading Log
- Field trip log
- Pictures
- Assignments separated by subject dividers.
Free Printable
If you are using Classical Conversations for your homeschool curriculum, each week I share the visual materials I create for my students based on the Foundations guide. Unfortunately, I do not have these printables created in advance, so if you’re able to go ahead and create future materials for the upcoming week, please feel free to share your materials with me as well. If you are a part of CC, join CC connected and printables for weekly lessons will be available to you. CC connected is $6/month for community members and $60/month for non-community members.
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- C.1 Week 7 Download
- Tin Whistle Worksheet
- All cycles Science Experiment Worksheet Download
- Follow my Cycle 1 board on Pinterest:
Reader Response: Please share any of your own tips that you use to help you prepare your classroom portfolio for your children.
I’m glad You got it under control this time. That is cool of you to share your tips on how to keep everything in order.
I didn’t realize that so much went into homeschooling–I thought you just chose whatever you thought they should know! You have to be very organized and disciplined to keep such neat records.
I’m in awe at how much work is required for homeschooling parents. I applaud you. I also think the ideas you shared could work for moms/dads who don’t homeschool. It could keep them up to date with what their children are doing in schools.
More and more parents are homeschooling and I dont blame them. Thanks for sharing this tip for them!
I was never in favor of homeschooling until recently. If i had kids I’d also homeschool them too. Your site has great resources.
nice tips for those who homeschool.
Good that you have shared on how can a person will be able to make that kind of portfolio. It might be a good thing to add for their work and on how can they use this as an asset on their schooling. Through this, they might also discover some new design of it.
Good that you have shared on how can a person will be able to make that kind of portfolio. It might be a good thing to add for their work and on how can they use this as an asset on their schooling.