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Using Checklists To Help Plan and Record Your Homeschool Schedule and Learning Program

© Beverley Paine, Nov 2007

Early in our homeschooling I prepared a relatively structured learning program for each of my children which included the setting up of learning centres in our living space. Each child had their own tray within which they kept their subject related work and text books. To monitor progress I created personalisted checklists designed to be completed by each of the children.

The checklist was used as a guide to the type of activities expected to be completed each week. This was a 'contract' between the child and myself, and formed the 'backbone' of the children's educational program. Other activities also happened and 'fleshed' the curriculum out. These other activities and learning tasks were recorded in a homeschooling diary and on our family calendar, together with anecdotal information about the type of learning happening. Each child also had a portfolio folder in which we kept samples of their work, as well as scrapbooks in each subject area.

This checklist below is extensive and reflects a very structured approach to home education.

Although preparing a personalised checklist is quite a task, filling it out only takes a few moments each day. I printed blank ones and kept them on file for future use. The children kept copies of past checklists in their evaluation portfolios.

Checklists can relate specifically to skills, activities in different subject areas, content or knowledge, attitudes, chapters or sections in text books, excursion ideas.... almost anything to do with your learning program.

Checklists are quick and convenient ways to monitor the type and amount of work done, but seldom reflect the true learning experiences occurring. The example offered is a simple tick sheet, but they can include space for comment if desired.

Most checklists are an important part of the evaluation process, but they still need to be used in conjunction with more detailed recording. They are most useful for helping you to remember specific learning events when you don't have time to write in your journal, or recall specific learning situations to record as anecdotal accounts at the end of the day. Working from a checklist such as the example shown, with its lists of types of activities in the different learning areas, are particularly helpful in this way.

Checklists can be used by the children as a planning and recording aide. They can help children remember what tasks they need to do, and when. They help children learn self discipline and organisation, and encourage responsibility for their own learning programs.

Roger - Week Ending 20/5/94

EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES CHECKLIST - Roger
Maths - at least two activities each day Reading - at least two activities each day
Game Aloud
Computer Silently
Problem Solving Review
Maths Text Retelling
Activity Card Story telling
Other Other
Writing - at least three activities each day
Diary Story
Newsletter item Jokes
Post Card Recipe
Letter List
Coded message 'My Word'
Scrabble Wordsearch
'Reading Skills' 'Sentence S'th'
Crossword Computer
'Vital Signs' Project
Art/Craft Activities - at least three activities in a week
Sewing - Plain Marbling Bead Making Sketching Kites
Embroidery Rock Painting Play dough Painting Puppets
Applique Windchimes Paper Making Oil Pastels Masks
Candle Making Collage Tie Dyeing Woodwork Pinata
Clay Work Printing Art Press Flowers Dancing Model making
Knitting Mandalas Carving Role Playing Music
Society, Environment, Technology and Science - at least eight explorations a week
Electronics Mapping Computing
Chemistry Weather Geography
Mechanics Gardening Culture
Rock Collection Museum Friends Permaculture projects
Game Excursion Light
Television Natural History Sound
Human Body Animals, etc Liquids
Space Materials History

 

 


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photo of Beverley and Robin PainePioneering 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 Getting Started with Homeschooling in 1995-97 and since then continues to write books and booklets on home education. She balances spending time helping home educators with working in her garden and renovating her home, as well as continuing to build her collection of writing on a variety of homeschooling subjects. Beverley maintains an extensive collection of websites as well as several Yahoo groups supporting families teaching their children at home. In 2007 Beverley joined the HEA and was a committee member for three years during which time she edited and produced the HEA Newsletter, Stepping Stones for Home Educators magazine, annual Resource Directory and other HEA publications. If you'd like to keep in touch with what Beverley is up to her in her life, sign up for the Homeschool Australia Newsletter or visit her Homeschool Australia Facebook page.
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