Six Recordkeeping Ideas For Home Schooling

“In this world, you are measured by files and documents.” You may have heard your old professor mumbling this statement in one of your classes. One of the things that matter most in home schooling is recordkeeping. You keep records to track your child's academic progress and to avoid cross-purposes in lesson planning. Moreover, you keep records to store pieces of evidence for future use. Without any documentation, your child's hard work and yours become mere unsubstantiated claims and hold little value in the academe and in the real world.

Prep yourself up for some efficient and hardcore record keeping work in your home school. You'll find the following ideas particularly helpful.

• Take photos on a daily basis. Take action photos which themselves tell a story, and add captions and dates. Store your photos in your computer (in a folder that's specifically designated for home schooling), CD or flash drive. At the end of a module or semester, print selected photos and organize these in a photo album.

• Schedule video recordings. Document out-of-home activities by shooting videos. You might want to work on an introductory script, narrating what the activity intends to teach your child. You'll love reminiscing your child's reaction or comment to the activity when you replay the tape. If you're the industrious type, you can edit the shoot and add music.

• Keep a planner. If the thought of writing lesson plans on a daily basis does not appeal to you, modify your plan to include activities and goals for the week. You'll actually feel less pressured and more organized if you plan for a semester or a year, then work your way backwards. The ideal planner allows you to organize the lessons, schedule the activities and provide breathing room and flexibility for out-of-the-blue circumstances like holding a party that will interrupt your academic schedule.

• Let your child maintain a journal. The journal need not be in the traditional pen-and-paper form. If your child is inclined to written communication, let him/her use the computer to brush up on both his/her typing and writing skills. If your child is more inclined to oral communication, have him/her tape record his feelings and thoughts. Your child will surely love hearing his/her own voice when you play back the tape. If your child is into art, encourage him/her to work on a scrapbook.

• Work on a portfolio. Loose-leaf binders will come in handy as you and your child compile and date the documents that were completed, instead of just simply dumping these documents in one drawer of a file cabinet. Separate your child's best works in a different portfolio in case you want to boast of his/her accomplishments during grandma's and grandpa's summer visit.

• Purchase a ready-to-use record keeping system. If you want the more convenient way of doing things, simplify your life by purchasing some ready-to-use record keeping systems. Visit your favorite stationery shop or go online to buy readily available and easy-to-personalize home school planners and home school organizing items. Your local support group or your next-door home schooling mom should have some valuable suggestions to steer you on the right track.