What should I expect at my first portfolio review for home schooling my 5th grade son? This is my first year.?

Question

I live in Maryland. Thanks.

Answer 1

What state are you in?  Each state has different regulations and practices.  This will help us in answering your question. Thanks!

Answer 2

You should probably check with someone from your local homeschool group, esp. someone who has dealt with the same teacher you will be dealing with.  There is likely a Yahoo group for your areas homeschoolers.

I went through a few of them back in Ohio with my kiddos.  They reviewed the body of work for the student for the scheduled school year.  We homeschooled year round, but it didn't matter.    We kept reading lists, field trip logs and the write ups that the kids did after them, awards received, samples of all work at 2 month intervals, projects on video or photos of art work, certificates from classes taken outside of the home, we did a lot of photographic evidence of learning activities,  science journals, writing journals, and so on and so on.  We also took copies of the results of testing done and the record of portfolio review from the prior year.  A copy of the Intent to Homeschool that included our planned curriculum for the year and resources to be used.  

The older children sometimes did unique presentations at the assessment, such as a video presentation to summarize their year to go along with the records.  

The prep for the first one was nerve wracking.  After that we all really looked forward to them and they were extremely enjoyable.