Teaching Tip Tuesday ~ When the End of the Term Lingers Near ...

Bless you for all the days of gathering children around and wrapping hearts with wisdom and guidance and minds with knowledge and opportunity.  

Bless you for the daily giving up and the relentless laying down.   

Bless you for the courage to wake up each morning and actually raise yourself out from beneath the covers and put one foot in front of the other and walk with grace throughout the day. 

 Bless you for seeking more of Him, in spite of failures and pains and mistakes, because this is how He is glorified and you are carried through. 

Bless you for enduring and for growing through the perseverance.  

Bless you for learning hard, and living hard, and loving even harder.

As preparations for your child's term portfolio are being made, can you take time to exhale and count the blessings from this first term?  Expectantly yes,  there were up days and down days, but isn't it through the blessings and the "curses" that we learn to give thanks in all things?

As you piece together your child's term portfolio, allow it to simply reflect your child's learning experiences, be it becoming a hula hooping genius, or a math counting whiz,  or a story writer for the very first time.  Allow your child to choose prize pieces of work that he's delighted to show, and then take time for yourself to choose samples that you feel are wise to share.  

There is no set formula in fitting a portfolio together - your portfolio is what your family makes it and never are two exactly the same.

General portfolio guidelines are provided here under the Portfolio Submission links,  but you are free to extend those guidelines to represent best what has been being learned within your home during this past term.  Specific forms that may need to be included in your child's portfolio, depending on grade and activity choices, are available to be printed here: Portfolio Forms

How do I share my child's portfolio?
In the past, families have mailed their child's portfolio to my home address.  However, within the last year or so, many families are choosing to send learning samples online.  Some families email learning photos on a weekly basis, while others choose to email an entire portfolio at one time at the end of the term.  Also, some families have chosen to share learning photos through Picasa web albums or through Skydrive.

Home visits are available for families who live in the Lower Mainland area.  If interested, please contact me to arrange a date and a time.

Blessings as you near the end of this first term, and Congratulations!

End of the First Term/ Quarter - Friday, November 13th

The end of the first term/quarter is just around the corner. If you haven't started already, then NOW is the time to start organizing the samples that you plan to include in your child's end of quarter package/portfolio.

I encourage you to use this time of the school year to sit down with your child and go through the work that has been completed over the past couple of months. Talk about what has been accomplished well, goals for the next term/quarter, favourite projects or activities, etc. Use this time as a learning experience for your child.

***(This next section is just for those families on the Individualized program [DLI]. Those families on the Standard program [DLS] should scroll down to "What to Include in an End of Quarter Package")

For those families on the Individualized program, the parent and child can work together in choosing what to include in his/her portfolio. Some ideas for presenting your portfolio include: using folders for various subject areas, using a binder divided into subject areas, using an electronic web album (like Picasa or Smilebox), or simply placing everything into a big envelope.


What to Include in a Portfolio:

The following items should be included in your child’s portfolio:

4 Language Arts samples
*** Please include a VARIETY of samples some of which may include: a journal entry, a personal letter, poetry or story writing, tests or quizzes related to spelling or grammar, a reading log, a recording of reading aloud or of a recitation, a list, a chart or a diagram, etc.

4 Math samples
i.e. chapter or unit tests, speed drills, photos of hands-on math activities, a photocopy of the rules of a favourite math game, etc.

3-4 Science samples
i.e. chapter or units tests, an experiment log, an observation or nature journal, diagrams or charts, a photo of student doing an experiment or on a field trip, a list of books related to Science, etc.

3-4 Social Studies samples
i.e. chapter or unit tests, a field trip journal (may include photos), a list of fiction and/or non-fiction books related to Social Studies topics, map work, a mini report/presentation (written, pictorial, or oral), an audio or video recording presenting Social Studies information, etc.

PE Log and PE Assessment Form (if student is taking structured sports lessons)

3 Visual Art samples (for those using Visual Arts as their Fine Arts focus)

Music and Dance Assessment Forms (if student is taking music or dance lessons)

1-2 Health and Career samples
i.e. devotional material, goal setting chart or sheet, list of activities completed relating to health and career topics (i.e. nutrition, healthy living, friendships, responsibilities in the home, safety)

Work Habits Form - This form is a parent assessment of your child's work habits. As well there is an area to include scripture memory information.

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What to Include in an End of Quarter Package:

The following items should be included in your child’s end of quarter package:

Grades 1 - 3
*All completed pace tests
*All completed supplement assignments - The Quarter 1 supplement assignments include:
All About Me
Reading Response
Math Supplement Activities
Science Supplement Activities
Social Studies Supplement Activities
Fire Safety Activity
*Reading Log
*PE Log and PE Assessment Form (if student is taking structured sports lessons)
*3 Visual Art samples (for those using Visual Arts as their Fine Arts focus)
*Music and Dance Assessment Forms (if student is taking music or dance lessons)
*Work Habits Form - This form is a parent assessment of your child's work habits. As well there is an area to include scripture memory information.


Kindergarten
*The last completed pace in all subject areas (Word Building, English, Math, Science and Social Studies)
*All completed supplement assignments - The Quarter 1 supplement assignments include:
All About Me
*Student Assessment for Quarter 1
*Printing Practice worksheets (optional)
*Fire Safety Activity
*PE Log and PE Assessment Form (if student is taking structured sports lessons)
*Music and Dance Assessment Forms (if student is taking music or dance lessons)
*Work Habits Form - This form is a parent assessment of your child's work habits. As well there is an area to include scripture memory information.

End of Quarter Packages and Portfolios

The end of the school year is officially Friday, June 12th. Some families have already completed this year's curriculum and others are wrapping up the last few assignments. However close you are to completing this year's goals, please start thinking about organizing your child's end of the year assessment package. The learning samples that should be included in your child's assessment package are similar to previous quarters/terms. Below are links to previous posts to use as a guide when organizing your child's package.

End of Quarter Packages - Standard (DLS) Students
Portfolios - Individualized (DLI) Students

Please note: Grades 2 and 3 students should include their hard covered journal for this final reporting period.

Portfolio Submissions

I encourage you to use this time of the school year to sit down with your child and go through the work that has been completed over the past couple of months. Talk about what has been accomplished well, goals for the next term, favourite projects or activities, etc. Use this time as a learning experience for your child.

For those families on the DLI - Individualized program, the parent and child can work together in choosing what to include in his/her portfolio. Some ideas for presenting your portfolio include: using folders for various subject areas, using a binder divided into subject areas, using an electronic web album (like Picasa), or simply placing everything into a big envelope.


What to Include in an Individualized Portfolio:

4 Language Arts samples
*** Please include a VARIETY of samples some of which may include: a journal entry, a personal letter, poetry or story writing, tests or quizzes related to spelling or grammar, a reading log, a recording of reading aloud or of a recitation, a list, a chart or a diagram, etc.
*** Please note: Grade 2 and 3 students should not include their hard covered journal that was sent to them at the beginning of the school year. This journal will be requested at the end of the 3rd term.

4 Math samples
i.e. chapter or unit tests, speed drills, photos of hands-on math activities, a photocopy of the rules of a favourite math game, etc.

3-4 Science samples
i.e. chapter or units tests, an experiment log, an observation or nature journal, diagrams or charts, a photo of student doing an experiment or on a field trip, a list of books related to Science, etc.

3-4 Social Studies samples
i.e. chapter or unit tests, a field trip journal (may include photos), a list of fiction and/or non-fiction books related to Social Studies topics, map work, a mini report/presentation (written, pictorial, or oral), an audio or video recording presenting Social Studies information, etc.

PE - Please include the PE Log for the Term. Also complete the PE Monthly Challenge Form on the backside of the PE Log.

Fine Arts - 3 Visual Art activities (optional for students who are taking music or dance lessons)

1-2 Health and Career samples
i.e. Nutrition activities(for those students using my mini-unit), devotional material, goal setting chart or sheet, list of activities completed relating to health and career topics (i.e. nutrition, healthy living, friendships, responsibilities in the home)

Work Habits Form - This form is a parent assessment of your child's work habits. As well, there are areas for scripture memory information and the contact information for your child's music or dance instructor.

End of Quarter Package and Portfolio Information

The end of the first quarter/term is just around the corner. If you haven't started already, then NOW is the time to start organizing the samples that you plan to include in your child's end of quarter package/portfolio.

I encourage you to use this time of the school year to sit down with your child and go through the work that has been completed over the past couple of months. Talk about what has been accomplished well, goals for the next quarter/term, favourite projects or activities, etc. Use this time as a learning experience for your child.

***(This next section is just for those families on the Individualized program [DLI]. Those families on the Standard program [DLS] should scroll down to "What to Include in an End of Quarter Package")

For those families on the DLI - Individualized program, the parent and child can work together in choosing what to include in his/her portfolio. Some ideas for presenting your portfolio include: using folders for various subject areas, using a binder divided into subject areas, using an electronic web album (like Picasa), or simply placing everything into a big envelope.


What to Include in an Individualized Portfolio:

4 Language Arts samples
*** Please include a VARIETY of samples some of which may include: a journal entry, a personal letter, poetry or story writing, tests or quizzes related to spelling or grammar, a reading log, a recording of reading aloud or of a recitation, a list, a chart or a diagram, etc.
*** Please note: Grade 2 and 3 students should not include their hard covered journal that was sent to them at the beginning of the school year. This journal will be requested at the end of the 3rd term.

4 Math samples
i.e. chapter or unit tests, speed drills, photos of hands-on math activities, a photocopy of the rules of a favourite math game, etc.

3-4 Science samples
i.e. chapter or units tests, an experiment log, an observation or nature journal, diagrams or charts, a photo of student doing an experiment or on a field trip, a list of books related to Science, etc.

3-4 Social Studies samples
i.e. chapter or unit tests, a field trip journal (may include photos), a list of fiction and/or non-fiction books related to Social Studies topics, map work, a mini report/presentation (written, pictorial, or oral), an audio or video recording presenting Social Studies information, etc.

PE - Please include the PE Log for the 1st Term. Also complete the PE Monthly Challenge Form on the backside of the PE Log.

Fine Arts - 3 Visual Art activities (optional for students who are taking music or dance lessons)

1-2 Health and Career samples
i.e. Fire Safety activities (for those students using my mini-unit), devotional material, goal setting chart or sheet, list of activities completed relating to health and career topics (i.e. nutrition, healthy living, friendships, responsibilities in the home)

Work Habits Form - This form is a parent assessment of your child's work habits. As well, there are areas for scripture memory information and the contact information for your child's music or dance instructor.

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What to Include in an End of Quarter Package for Grades 1-3: (for Standard DLS families only)

* All completed pace tests

* All completed supplement assignments - The Quarter 1 supplement assignments include:
All About Me
Reading Response
Math Supplement Activities
Science Supplement Activities
Social Studies Supplement Activities
Fire Safety Activity

* Reading Log

* PE Log - Please complete the PE Monthly Challenge Form on the backside of the PE Log.

* Work Habits Form - This form is a parent assessment of your child's work habits. As well there are areas to include scripture memory information and the contact information for your child's music or dance instructor.

* 3 Visual Art samples (for those using Visual Arts as their Fine Arts focus)

***Please note: Grade 2 and 3 students should not include their hard covered journal that was sent to them at the beginning of the year. This journal will be requested at the end of the 4th quarter.

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What to Include in an End of Quarter Package for Kindergarten: (for Standard DLS families only)

* The last completed pace in all subject areas (Word Building, English, Math, Science and Social Studies)

* All completed supplement assignments - The Quarter 1 supplement assignments include:
All About Me
Student Assessment for Quarter 1
Printing Practice worksheets (optional)
Fire Safety Activity

* PE Log - Please complete the PE Monthly Challenge Form on the backside of the PE Log.

* Work Habits Form - This form is a parent assessment of your child's work habits. As well there are areas to include scripture memory information and the contact information for your child's music or dance instructor.

End of the Year Assessment Packages

The end of the school year is quickly approaching which means that your child's end of the year assessment package is almost due. Please send your packages to my personal address before or on June 13th. Following are the items that I would like to see included in your package:

Standard Program Grades 1-3 - (Accelerated Christian Education curriculum)
All completed Pace tests
All corresponding supplement activities (Math, Science, Social Studies)
Writing activities that corresponded with the conference calls.
Visual Art samples (take pictures of 3-D art and send along with package)
PE Log (for quarter 4)
Work Habits Form (this form will be emailed to parents on Monday, June 2)


Standard Program -Kindergarten - (Accelerated Christian Education curriculum)
The last completed pace in each of the subject areas (Word Building, English, Math, Science, and Social Studies)
Visual Art samples (take pictures of 3-D art and send along with package)
PE Log (for quarter 4)
Work Habits Form (this form will be emailed to parents on Monday, June 2)


Individualized Program - (Individualized choices of curriculum)
4 Language Arts samples (i.e. test, quiz, workbook, journal, story, poetry writing, reading log, letter) *** please include some creative writing samples if possible.
4 Math samples
(i.e. test, quiz, math drill, worksheets)
4 Science samples
(i.e. test, quiz, experiment log, observation journal, workbook)
4 Social Studies samples
(i.e. test, quiz, project, report, journal)
Visual Art samples (take pictures of 3-D art and send along with portfolio)
PE Log (for term 3 )
Work Habits Form (this form will be emailed to parents on Monday, June 2)