|
Save time and simplify your homeschooling life... |
|
|||
"Thank you... The information you supply is real and generous - fantastic reading. I am so inspired... Your honesty is rare. Most books do not really explain 'how' as well as you do." Tracy "I cannot seem to get enough of your writings on the whole home ed subject! You portray a lot of wisdom, knowledge and experience..." Marie
|
"Every time I read your writing it feels like a pat on the shoulder, and that feels really good...Thanks!" Maaike
|
|||
© Beverley Paine
There are two main elements to evaluation: observation and reflection.
Observation is at the heart of any educational program. As a parent you have continuously relied on your observation skills since your children were born. This on-going observation of their actions and reactions, their temperaments and developing personalities, allows you to build relationships with them to ensure successful learning in all areas of their lives.
Evaluation also requires the conscious reflection on the usefulness, the appropriateness, and the outcomes (products and results) of your children's activities. When thinking about evaluation it is useful to set what can be considered as 'indicators' of success. These help you to know how progress has occurred. Evaluation should be looked at positively, as ways in which success and improvement can be celebrated and built on. To be most effective evaluation must be a constructive process.
The process of evaluation can include assessment, but involves much more than simply tests and exams. It requires a continuous, conscious thought process about what you are hoping to achieve, whether your methods are appropriate and how things may have been done differently. Assessment is only one way to do this. There are many different ways to evaluate, and these are usually related to which aspect of the event you are evaluating.
Recording in an organised way your observations and evaluation comments of your children's learning activities will help you to plan your children's education to suit their learning needs. It also plays an important part in building your confidence in your role as a home educating parent.
The following is an excerpt from Getting Started with Homeschooling Practical Considerations, by Beverley Paine, and shows an example of a monthly evaluation of her children's learning programs.
Language:
We didn't manage to read papers or magazine. Loved the Never Ending Story - compared it to movie and sequel. Lots of discussing on various topics. Attended a lecture and slide presentation - children asked questions, Thomas still very shy at these times. Happy with with progress with writing. Thom writing more, asking for spellings instead of me scribing. Need to offer more opportunities to record/need for writing practice in real situations. Roger spelling showing definite improvement - consistency developing. Continue with LCWC approach
LOTE - Indonesian:
The shadow puppets were challenging and took more effort and time than anticipated. Everybody helped with meal - huge success. Have decided to eat more Indonesian food. Met some people who have been to Indonesia, spent some time with them which was good for April to practice some language conversation (minimal) and Roger began to pick up days of week and numbers easily. April had a good camp -dancing, conversation, cooking, shopping, games. Isn't do word cards - will pick up again next month.
Maths:
Thomas has been focussing on practical activities and resisting "book work". Didn't push learning to read clock - later. Been doing a lot of measuring - working with solids, weights, money. April is working steadily - finding materials generally easy but still interesting - not doing all sums in book. Loves puzzles books. Roger is enjoying the format of this text book. Likes to look up answers and self check. All the children have been demonstrating their math skills in building projects lately with minimal help.
Health and Personal Development:
In addition to "Myself Books" we did read other health oriented books relating to clothing, seasons and occupations. Also made books about events in children lives using photos. Children enjoyed the activities. Thom made board game. Working on diet was patchy but awareness of
need heightened, more personal responsibility needed. More co-operation won with food preparation. Lots of physical activity - walking, cycling, swimming, cubby building, tree planting. Spent time examining in depth Anatomy Colouring Book.
Science:
xperiments - sugar crystals, growing copper sulphate crystals, working with pendulums. Rock collecting, classifying and sorting collections of rocks, fossicking and identifying rocks. Jewellery making. Roger study on mice, made cage out of glass. Thomas project on fish and setting up of aquarium. Thomas built a chair with help. April made a photoframe and key ring in plastics. Enjoyed discussing aspects of famous scientist lives. Watched a lot of documentaries which generated discussion. Discussed erosion effects.
Society & Environment:
Our focus in the environment and recycling has led to lots of building and making activities and included a trip to the dump and walks in areas of degradation and pollution. Lots of discussion. Enjoyed days out. Looked up the way the media looks at the Green issue and discussed how the media could do more to promote environmental and conservation issues. Visited Landcare site and discussed history of the movement. Visualised local area before European settlement, especially beach area.
The Arts:
Did some vocalization, using voice with percussion instruments creatively! Took part in solstice ceremony group singing and chanting and playing of instruments. Visited Art Show, children attentive and critical in their appreciation of visual art. Spontaneous art and craft, mostly related to projects or games underway. Also focussed on display for Recycle Craft Day at school - children enjoyed this activity immensely and helped in setting up display. Circus skills are improving - practicing for show. Thomas now stilt walking.
General Comments:
We had a full month with an emphasis on activities rather than "bookwork". We have been busy pursuing family interest of rock collecting which has spawned many "curricula" type activities.. Pets have also played a large part - fish, mice and guinea pigs. Spent a lot of time outside (which is good for before winter). Although being this busy is challenging and stimulating, the children are missing the opportunity to just play with their toys! I'd like to focus more evening time on games together (and not just TV) Robin is m\participating more in the educational stuff which has been great for me and the kids. Happy with daily routine at the moment (or more particularly the lack of it!0 as it is very flexible and based on family and individual needs. Have begun to eat breakfast together to conference on days activities and to plan in jobs, chores, bookwork, and other stuff. Working well so far. Ideas are recorded and some of us are ticking off completed things. Would like to devise more activities in maths and language not out of text type books and more meaningful to children's lives. Perhaps look at toys and craft more.
Scroll down for a complete list of available books. We accept Personal Cheques and Money Orders (Aust only) or PayPal for credit card orders.
HOW TO ORDER
ALB Newsletter
Getting Started
Learning Without School
Language Series
Practical HS Series
Ebooks
Educational Games Series
Natural Learning Series
Sample Learning Programs
Unschooling Books
Diaries
Portfolios/Report Cards
Homeschool DVDs
Interested in homeschooling, but still not sure? Read
'All You Need Is...'
Looking for educational resources?
Home Education Directory
Questions about homeschooling?
Browse the Homeschool Australia Article Library,
or join our Frequently Asked Questions
online support group.
Wondering what to teach? See
Australian Homeschool Curriciulum
What's new on
Homeschool Australia? Subscribe to our mailing list.
Children Learning Naturally
Online Support Group
Travelling and homeschooling? Keep in touch with Aussie Homeschool Campers!
Home education is a legal alternative
to school education in Australia.
State governments are responsible
for regulating home education.
Different states have different
requirements, however
homeschooling families are able
to develop curriculum and learning
programs to suit the individual
needs of their children.
For more information:
Home Education Association
Text & Images on this site
Copyright © 1999-2008
Beverley Paine.
All rights reserved
Email
Thank you
for visiting!
Please note:
The information on this website is of a general nature only and is not intended as personal or professional advice.
Pioneering members of the home education movement in Australia, Beverley and Robin Paine are passionate advocates of true educational choice for families. They began homeschooling their children in 1986 and three years later started the South Australian Home Based Learners network.Beverley wrote several books and booklets on home education through her self-publishing business, Always Learning Books. Beverley balances spending time helping home educators with working in her garden and renovating her home, as well as continuing to build her collection of ebooks on a variety of homeschooling subjects. retired from actively supporting home education in July 2008 to allow her to spend time on her garden and writing projects. She maintains an extensive collection of websites as well as several Yahoo groups supporting families teaching their children at home. Beverley continues to support the Home Education Association of Australia as a committee member and helps to produce the HEA Newsletter, publications and annaul Resource Directory. If you'd like to keep in touch with what Beverley is up to her in her life, sign up for either the Always Learning Books mailing list or the Homeschool Australia Newsletter.
|
How to Order ~ Orders from Outside Australia
Click on each title to read reviews and brief descriptions of each book. |
|||||||||||||||||||
|
Getting Started With Homeschooling: Practical Considerations ISBN 1876651008, Paperback, 132 pages, AUS$25.00
Home Education Student Portfolio Reports Early Childhood Student Report Middle Childhood Student Report Early Adolescence Student Report
covers approximately year/grade level 7 to 10 (ages 12 - 15) A4, Spiral bound, 130g $6.00 (free postage)
Weekly Homeschooling Diary Naturally Learning Diary
Learning in the Absence of Education
The Homeschooling Trail:
Unschool~Kidz! Visit the Unschool~Kidz web site
also by Beverley Paine Aquadome, an underwater research station in the year 2024, is shrouded in mystery, hiding controversial genetic experiments and treacherous secrets. Psychic links draw teenagers, Katya and Coen, into an international conspiracy which threatens their very existence. 2002 Book store price...
Learning to Let Go
ISBN 1876651288 A5, stapled, 60g, 30 pages.
|
PRACTICAL HOMESCHOOLING BOOKLET SERIES
Practical Homeschooling Exploring Approaches This booklet combines the notes of seven speakers at the Adelaide 2008 Homeschooling Seminar and Curriculum Fair.
Chapters in this booklet cover Charlotte Mason, Natural Learning, Unschooling, Discipleship Based, Relational homeschooling, Steiner influence, Unit Studies, and more! $4.50 (free postage)
The first in a series of booklets sharing Beverley's reflections, experience, tips and suggestions to help you become a more effective home educator.
Take the frustration out of everyday homeschooling.
Motivation in the Homeschool "If I knew twenty years ago what I know I know now about motivation home educating my children would have been a breeze! What I can say is that it is never too late to make adjustments... Despite all the 'mistakes' we made in the early years we couldn't ask for a better outcome. Our now adult children make us proud every day." Beverley packs in a lifetime of learning about how to overcome motivation obstacles into this 36 page booklet.
Answering Objections to Homeschooling
by Beverley Paine How do you answer all the questions people ask you about home education? These could be friends, family or total strangers. Beverley offers a selection of well-worn answers to over a dozen of the most popularly voiced objections to homeschooling you are likely to encounter. Includes a section on dealing with unsupportive relatives.
Write Your Own Unit Studies
Learning Maths Naturally
Frequently Asked Questions
by Beverley Paine Over 60 fundamental questions asked by families new to homeschooling are answered by Beverley in this 36 page booklet. 2004
The Spelling Process
The Writing Process
Learning to Love Reading
Developing Handwriting
Language Games You Can Play
A Sample ‘Approved' Learning Naturally Homeschooling Program & Review
Natural Learning
Learning Materials for the Homeschool
Translating Every Day Life
into Educational Jargon
by Beverley Paine . 2008
|
2007 National Home Education This 4 DVD pack includes over 8 hours of conference speeches by John Taylor Gatto, Alan Thomas and Eleanor Sparks as well as the Brisbane Conference Question and Answer session. Includes Conference Notes from many of the Workshop Presenters. NHED Conference DVD $50 for International Orders [Please ensure that your TV and DVD player will handle DVD-R disc in the PAL format before purchase.]
Let's Play Together Traditional Children's Games Kathi Wyldeck's very practical Educational Games Booklets draw on her extensive educational experience with children and will help supplement your children's learning across the curriculum. Fast Games and Quiet Games
Physical and Mental Games for Families Book One Kathi Wyldeck ISBN 1876651385, 70g $4.50 (free postage) Outdoor, Campfire, Water and Theme Games
Physical and Mental Games for Families Book Two Kathi Wyldeck ISBN 1876651369, 70g $4.50 (free postage) Maths, English, Music and Art
Educational Games for Families Book One Kathi Wyldeck ISBN 1876651350, 70g $4.50 (free postage)  ScienceEducational Games for Families Book Two Kathi Wyldeck ISBN 1876651342, 70g $4.50 (free postage) History Geography, French, German and Latin Estimation, First Aid, Health, Tracking, Safety, Knotting and Navigation
Life Skill Games for Families Book One Kathi Wyldeck ISBN 1876651377, 70g $4.50 (free postage) Character Building, Handcraft, Aussie Flags and Emblems, Discovery, Nature and Conservation, Cooking, Self Expression, Tools and Construction
Life Skill Games for Families Book Two Kathi Wyldeck ISBN 1876651393, 70g $4.50 (free postage)
STOCK TO CLEAR EDUCATION CHOICES MAGAZINE Take advantage of this opportunity to fill in any blanks in your collection of this great homeschooling magazine no longer in production.Education Choices featured columns by well-known, experienced home educators in various practical departments, such as:
$4.45 (plus postage) Issues available:
|
|||||||||||||||||
More than 60 essays covering a wide range of homeschooling concerns and issues, such as late readers, value of play, socialisation, learning maths, part time school, and thoughts on testing. Follows the Paine family's progress from homeschooling to unschooling. An intimate and honest look at the day-to-day life spanning several years. Illustrated with clear black and white photographs and children's drawings. 
Designed to take the worry out of education and to reassure parents, these booklets are a valuable aid in the homeschool. Written by experienced home educators and teachers, each booklet offers ideas, activities or tips on how to help your children learn at home in the different subject areas. All prices include postage.
by Beverley Paine