Do you save every assignment your child does?

Question

For Homeschool Parents. I was just curious as I finish preparing for the next year. I have a ton of Math assignments I would REALLY like to pitch. As well as some other papers that I don't feel they will use again. I kept tests for all subjects, names of books they used and reports they wrote. Is that enough?

I should add, my daughters ar 15 and 10. 10th and 5th grade. Thanks.

Answer 1

I think it is great you save everything!! Just not my Algebra, actually you don't have to save any of my stuff. But it is good that you save most of the stuff to show that I actually do work.

Answer 2

No way! 13 years of homeschooling I would be buried in paper! I save tests, a few writing samples, nice art work, photos of projects that are too big to keep, and a permanent record (sort of like a transcript except it starts in first grade) with evaluations and or grades, (In K-3rd I do written evaluations that tell in narrative form about the child's accomplishments, I save these narrative evaluations and on the "transcript" I summarize these with the words that progress has been "More than satisfactory", "satisfactory", "acceptable but in need of improvement", or "in serious need of improvement". Beginning in 4th grade this changes to the typical A-F letter grades.)
Other things to save are lists of books read, documentaries watched in relation to homeschool, photo's of dramatic presentations a child takes part in, recordings of the child playing music, etc. But certainly not everything!

Wow! I had one real long run-on sentence up there!

Okay, I read the other answers, if you are in a state where the laws says you must keep everything for a certain amount of time, then of course abide by the law. But if it only calls for a portfolio then save samples of work, tests, etc. A portfolio doesn't usually need to have everything ever done in it. It would be good to show a few writing assignments going from first draft to final draft, all tests, plus other things I mentioned above.

Answer 3

The standing rule is that you must keep EVERYTHING for a period of 2-5 yrs.
You should have two seperate portfolios ( one for each girl). The keeping of the paperwork or assignments for the prescribed time period is so that IF they pull a backcheck (checking stuff from previous years) and YES they have been know to do that----you will be able to produce it with no problem.

We had a backcheck pulled on us about a year ago and the only thing that stopped them is when I sat the portfolio on the table, opened it up and ROACHES poured out ( NOT KIDDING )---I also learned to use a Plastic container and not the paper accordian ones after that (that's what I get for living in Florida).

So ...... Date it, Store it and keep it for 2-5 yrs...a pain I know but better safe than sorry.

Answer 4

In the very beginning I did (kindergarten) then I went through at the end of the year and got rid of all but the best, mainly art and writing assignments. Then the next year, not so much saved, continually pruning the mountain of paper!
When I began homeschooling, that "save everything" started all over again.
But now, I am back to the point, of only saving the best: projects they did their best on, art projects, higher level exams, book reports, poetry, things that are sentimental or relevant to a portfolio.
I think you are doing enough, but you may want to hang on to some examples of writing assignments and other projects for a portfolio.

Answer 5

It all depends. If you are in a state that you feel might need to check up on you, then keep a bunch from each year or just 'test' to show growth in educational understanding.

I'm in VA and I send a packet to the school board every year, and I keep some things to let my kids review all the time. For example, we keep a 3 ring binder for each subject (math, science, us history, world history) and we review those off an on.

We keep one huge 3 ring with really special assignments or extra hard work..stuff like that..and it stays. But most of our stuff goes into recycling the same day.

Answer 6

My 3 sons are 32, 31, and 27, I tried to save just about everything. I was Very Lucky I was a stay at home mom, till my son graduated from high school. I'm doing everything backwards....then I started working.
So Bless....both stay at home & working Moms....Your Saints !!!!!
I made scrapebooks, long before scrapebooks were popular mine aren't fancy.
But each boy had about 20 books for display at their graduation party, plus I made a photo books galore, and a huge collage of pictures.
I really Loved doing it!, wonder if they appreciate all the Time, Effort, & Love, that I put into it ? But I would do all over again !!!!

Answer 7

With three kids and 9 years of homeschooling, I'd be buried in paperwork, lol.

I throw out math pages as soon as they've finished the chapter, I just put the chapter review in their portfolio. Same with language arts, phonics and reading comp-- we keep review samples. Writing generally gets kept in the portfolios, like reports, essays, creative writing. I keep their good artwork, not necessarily everything they've ever scratched on paper with a crayon.

Answer 8

I put everything in a file box all year round. Then when it is time for portfolio review - I include it. If the county wants to see it - then it is there.

When review is over I go through it all. Is it something really special I should keep forever? (First art work, etc.). If not then it goes into a grocery bag, taped shut and I write the year on it. We are required to keep it for two years in our state. After two years - it is ready for the dumpster. Because I have already taped & sealed it I have no hesitation in just dumping it!

Answer 9

I save everything in plastic storage boxes, but know I'll end up throwing it away eventually. I'm kind of obsessive/compulsive about stuff like that, but I figure if anyone for any reason ever asks to see what we've done, I have all the "evidence" I need to show that they've been taught well.

I'm sure what you have is plenty, as long as the state doesn't require more.

Answer 10

Make each of your children a portfolio. I make my daughter's out of an old scrapbook and I keep all the important things or things I feel that show her accomplishments in it. I just use a 3 hole punch and add them to the book each time. We have pictures, her writings, reports, and things like that in there. We never have had to show it to anyone but I always have it available in case the need appears.

Answer 11

No, I only keep their writings, short stories, poems, and some art work; if they have a lot you'd like to save, you could take pictures of their work, and make a scrap book for them.
I keep a journal, and make weekly entries.
When the time comes again to make a transcript, we will translate it into "edu speak" as my husband (M.Ed) likes to call it.

I make a note for myself what it is we need to pay extra attention to, and since they have to be 85 % or over in understanding the materials , or concepts before we move on it is not needed to keep "assignment papers" for record keeping, unless your state has such requirements.

I keep a reading list, and check mark in a different color for each child if they read the book, and sometimes we discuss it. (verbal narration)
We do not do formal tests, their daily, or weekly work is how we measure progress in math, as well as in the different components of language arts.
All other subjects are accumulative, and over the years they gain knowledge of them through reading, debating the issues, or hands on projects, and experience.