Can unschoolers share tips for keeping a log?

Question

I am considering switching over to unschooling for one of my children. The problem is, our state requires a day-to-day log -- I am not sure exactly how we would keep a structured log for unstructured learning. The same holds true for the end of the year portfolio that would need to be handed in to the evaluator and superintendant at the end of the year -- are there ideas as to how to generate samples for the portfolio of an unschooled child?

Any tips would be greatly appreciated :)

Answer 1

A good habit to have you child go into might be to install a Journal program on the computer for him to write his thoughts in. I'm sixteen and I found Journler (for Mac OS X) for several years, and whenever I find a snippet of something I like in a book or on the internet, I write it in, or if I'm experimenting with poetry, or website design, or math, or images, I put it in. I find it very useful as a private canvas for me to develop things in. Journler can be organized many different ways, by date, by number, by folders, or by tags and categories.

Just thought I'd share, because you could by side have he or she do their "own log," and this would also be a way to pull out samples for a portfolio of their work (their actual creative work, not forced assignments).

Answer 2

First, we are fairly structured in our approach...

But, our son started high school this year and I thought it important to start a portfolio and I wanted one that was online. I searched and searched and could not find anything that fit our needs.

So, I built my own and offer it through our family owned business.

You can check it out at: http://www.yourstudentportfolio.com

And, if you are interested, I'll email you a link to the one we have built / are building for our 9th grader.  I was going to email you but you don't allow it.

As far as concerns specific to unschooling... I'm not sure, as that is not the approach that we take...

Answer 3

Here's a great place to keep/make a transcript:

http://teascript.com/terms

This is a great place to get all sorts of forms and records:

http://www.donnayoung.org

There is a free tracking program (and a paid version):

http://www.homeschooltracker.com/

Or, just use Excel.  That's what I do.  My son is 10 and I have one file.  One sheet is our attendance (space for course, activity & time), and one is for every subject.  I keep them by year (July-June).  I'm going to have my DH integrate it into Access as my son's academic record keeping is more important (we don't have to report to anyone).

HTH!

Answer 4

I don't unschool but I would just write down what ever it was they studied that day. Put it on a calender type chart and just cover the basics of what they study. For instance Reading read pg 15-30 of Cheaper By The Dozen (our current book), Science read pg 10-12 in What ever science book and did what ever experiment and so forth. I know with unschooling you may not cover every subject every day as it is driven by the interests of your kids but if you cover the basics as well you should be fine!

Answer 5

Check out your state's learning standards — they should be online. (Search for, e.g., "Illinois Learning Standards".)

Use a 3-ring binder and divide into sections for each area of study (mathematics, language arts, etc.).

Go through the book at regular intervals and check off the areas that have been completed (the learning standards are broken down into lists of goals) and make notes of what your child did to meet that standard.

If your state requires original copies, three-hole-punch samples of work (letters written, drawings, etc.) and add in the appropriate section. (If they don't require originals, make xeroxes.)

At the end of the year, you should have a complete portfolio. During the year, if you see that there are areas where your child is falling short, plan a field trip, read a book, or brainstorm an activity with your child that will meet the requirement.