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Rachel May
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| Posted: Nov 12 2005 at 2:06pm | IP Logged
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The state where we live requires 2 portfolio reviews a year, and I am preparing for my first one ever. The form seems fairly straightforward, but the column of "concepts/skills taught" has left me wanting some wisdom.
While I feel I can describe what the kids have learned, I'm worried that there are buzzwords I could be using to get the point across better, or that there will be things that I will accidentally leave out because I didn't think of them. I guess I'm thinking that I don't want to call it a "ball" if Dicovery Toys says I can call it an "interactive learning experience building social and gross motor skills." Does that make sense?
As far as I can tell, our state doesn't give a list of what concepts they want taught, just subjects. Does anyone know of a resource that can help me? Thank you!
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Rachel
Thomas and Anthony (10), Maria (8), Charles (6), Cecilia (5), James (3), and Joseph (1)
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amyable
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| Posted: Nov 12 2005 at 2:48pm | IP Logged
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When I need to see what concepts I should be teaching, I go to places like:
World Book Encyclopedia's Typical Course of Study
I can't find my other links right now (think they are on our old computer  ) but I'm pretty sure I did a google search of "Scope and Sequence Second Grade" (without the quotes) for whatever Grade I wanted. It brought up many different Board of Education sites from around the US and listed what skills certain grades should be working on.
I was too scared to do a portfolio review (we live in MD also) so we went with an umbrella school. I'm not the best with record keeping in a timely fashion!
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Amy
mom of 5, ages 6-16, and happy wife of 
The Highly Sensitive Homeschooler
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Rachel May
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| Posted: Nov 12 2005 at 7:11pm | IP Logged
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Amy,
Thank you thank you!
I was frustrated by the cost and faith statement issue of umbrella orgs (and they never returned my messages!). so I figured I could wing it for 1st grade although it irritates me that I'm suposed to be testing (what!?) my 1st graders in so many subjects.
As I've been reading posts lately "scope and sequence" has emerged as a term I realized that I need to figure out, but I was having too much fun here. Guess it's time to get to work.
BYW, the porfolio form for our distict (Prince George) is really easy, and I can't do the face to face until April because the reviewer is already booked up that far!
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Rachel
Thomas and Anthony (10), Maria (8), Charles (6), Cecilia (5), James (3), and Joseph (1)
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Rachel May
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Amy,
I found the World Book reassuring tried the Google method with "scope and sequence md" and it pulled up a hit for the state--52 pages long and too small to read online. 
I was worried about record keeping too, but it has turned out to be fairly easy, I think. We'll see what happens when the review comes back, but luckily I have until Jan 31 to take care of any "holes" I find before I submit it.
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Rachel
Thomas and Anthony (10), Maria (8), Charles (6), Cecilia (5), James (3), and Joseph (1)
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amyable
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| Posted: Nov 13 2005 at 5:46am | IP Logged
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Glad you have until Jan 31st!
LOL, I'm not surprised MDs scope and sequence looks like it did. 
I didn't know you had to "test" your kids if going through the state - I thought you didn't have to show progress, just "regular, thorough instruction". Hmmmm, makes me doubley (sp?) glad I'm not going through the state, my oldest does NOT make progress like a normal child!
BTW, I didn't have to sign a statement of faith with our umbrella group, but I don't know if they cover your area. Feel free to private message me if you'd like.
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Amy
mom of 5, ages 6-16, and happy wife of
The Highly Sensitive Homeschooler
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mom3aut1not
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Rachel,
You do not have to test your child nor do you have to show that your child has learned anything. What you have to do is to show that *you* have provided "regular and thorough" instruction in several areas. I know one of the people who devised the home instruction bylaw. He was a teacher for 33 years, and he thought hsers should be held to the same legal standards as the public schools. (They are not required to make your children learn anything.)
However, it is often the case that a ps reviewer will ask for more than you are legally bound to give. I have had this happen as well as having the reviewer say that my autistic dd should have more reading comprehension questions -- never mind that I showed samples of grammar, spelling, composition, and reading sufficient to show that I was providing "regular and thorough" instruction in Language Arts.
Reviewers are not allowed to demand that you study certain topics in specific grades, demand tests or evidence of progres, or ask if you have sufficent space, heat, light, etc. (This actually happened to some hsers many years ago in PG County.)
Personally, as I hs disabled children, I prefer to be under an umbrella. I have passed ps reviews before, but it was unpleasant and they were most thorough. Otoh I have known people who breezed through reviews, got complements and praise, and had no problems at all. I am currently hsing a child who cannot read, cannot write, and cannot converse. I have set up an elaborate system to record the fact that I am offering "regular and thorough" instruction. (I am prepared to deal with the county if I have to, but I hope to avoid it.) I do tthis even though Social Studies is a complete waste of time with him.
My umbrella program (based in Westminster even though I do not live there) did not require a statement of faith.
In Christ,
Deborah
hsing in MD since 1991 <g>
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mom3aut1not
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Rachel,
I forgot to add that it really impresses reviewers if you have a list of long-term and short-term goals for each subject. (Imo it is also helpful to the parent as it really helps you clarify what you want to accomplish with your child and what you don't care about. It also helps mom decide what materials will help her achieve these goals and helps prevent overbuying.)
If you are curious as to my goals for my son, I can email them to you or post them here. (Warning: it's a long list.) Then after set of goals I list the materials I plan to use. Then I usually put samples of work (or my detalied syllabi) for each area. IIRC my son's current list of goals and materials is about six pages long. (I said it was long.) I also include a statement as to the benefit for my son (earlier my daughters) of being hsed.
It seems really intimidating to write out goals, but it is really easier than it seems.
In Christ,
Deborah (again)
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mom3aut1not
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Aacck!
I do know it's compliments and not complements. I blame it on ... I don't know what. How embarrassing!
In any case, I blush and admit my errror.
In Christ,
Deborah (mortified)
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Angie Mc
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Hi Rachel,
After hsing for 3 years in legal requirement heavy PA, I would recommend that you get in touch with Maryland home educators who "know the system" and have a "minimal compliance" philosophy. They can help you find the least disruptive for your family way to comply with the law. It is my experience that the more space you can put between you and school reps., the better.
Best wishes and I'm glad you are having fun learning with your children...great job, mom!
Love,
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Angie Mc
Maimeo to Henry! Dave's wife, mom to Mrs. Devin+Michael Pope, Aiden 20,Ian 17,John Paul 11,Catherine (heaven 6/07)
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Rachel May
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| Posted: Nov 14 2005 at 10:39am | IP Logged
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Wow! Thanks so much for the help and support.
I have to admit I was being cheap about umbrella groups and since the boys are only 1st graders I thought, "How hard can this be?" I can see now it'll be harder than I thought, but I'm sure we can make it through this year. I know of an umbrella org in our area that assigns all the Catholics to one mom of soon to be 10! I found out about it too late and hated to add to her work load. I will definitely consider it seriously for next year. I like the idea of distance between me and "them". It's hard enough with my public school educator in-laws!
Re: testing I think the porfolio form confused me since it asks for tests among other things. Thinking about which work samples to send in, I won't pick today's work. This morning was the first time I had the boys write their own narratives, wanted to weep at their awful handwriting, attention span and attempts at spelling words they read every day. I keep having these lack of confidence attacks which I think are linked to performance anxiety; I'm terrified to have the reviewer say, "You're terrible! Put those kids in school!"
I like the idea of goals. Maybe it would be too long of a post?, but I would love if you would email it to me.
That is the sort of thing that would impress my husband. 
I needed that encouragement to meet some other homeschoolers. We've been here since Aug and have met one family. Morning sickness slowed me down, but it's time. Thanks everyone. This forum has been a great blessing to me!
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Rachel
Thomas and Anthony (10), Maria (8), Charles (6), Cecilia (5), James (3), and Joseph (1)
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mom3aut1not
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Rachel,
I would be happy to email you my goals, but I am not sure how to do that. (Help!)
Would it be helpful to know that the work I saw *displayed* in the ps hallways almost always had significant errors? In one case a book report showed the student had not read the book. And these were displayed!!! Moreover, kids at that school were not instructed in grammar -- and it showed. (These comments are based on frequent visits to an elementary school for speech and language therapy some years ago and cover work for grades 1-5.)
Remember, reviewers are *not* supposed to evaluate your children; they are *only* supposed to see whether or not you are offering "regular and thorough instruction."
Also, remember your children are still quite young. I don't think I would include written narrarions. IIRC CM had kids doing these at 10-11. I would write down their oral narrations and have them illustrate the dictations. Don't sweat it;I'm sure they're fine.
FWIW, some cheap umbrella programs may not stand up to legal challenge. That is why I am being meticulous about record keeping. I was in a situation where an umbrella program (even though it was not a cheap
one) did not sustain a legal challenge, and I wound up having to undergo a ps review with little time to prepare. Right now I am in a cheap umbrella, but I am preparing for a less friendly review. However, I hope for a friendly review from my umbrella group.
In Christ,
Deborah
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4Real Forums : Living Learning
Topic: Portfolio Reviews
