CHN's Summer Newsletter
cthomeschoolnetwork.org
 
What's new at CHN?  We're busy planning a homeschool leader luncheon in September, which is getting a big response. If you are a group leader who would like to join us, send us an email and we'll be in touch with details.
 
October's annual homeschool conference is filling up with exhibitors, workshops, activities and some other fun surprises. If you want to be an exhibitor at the conference, contact us!  We still have some space available. The Board of Directors is busy with fun and educational plans for the homeschool community. We look forward to seeing you soon, at an event in the near future. Until then, stay tuned as we continue to update the conference webpage with additional details for this fun and informative family event!
Homeschool Record Keeping
by Marguerite Christie
Record keeping and creating or keeping a transcript for your homeschool child or children can be a daunting task - it doesn't have to be! There are so many resources available now to help you in this process that I think this can be overwhelming. There are so many sites available on-line now and they all offer slightly different suggestions or solutions but, there isn't one right or wrong answer. As many ways as there are to homeschool there are as many ways to keep track of your child's progress.
 
Every homeschool parent will have a slightly different way as to how they keep records or how they have used and created a transcript for their child. There are paid sites like Homeschool Planet which will allow a free 30 day trail and it will organize and track your child's progress and keep track of what they are to learn next. This would cost $65 a year or $6.95 a month.
 
There are also many paid and free Homeschool Transcript sites such as : My Homeschool Transcript or Free Homeschool Transcript Template (homeschool-curriculum-savings.com or letshomeschoolhighschool.com/). There are so many free transcript template sites now that it is no longer necessary to use a paid site but, in the end it is a personal decision and a parent may feel more comfortable sending their grades to a professional company. There are even curriculum programs where you would send your child's paper to an outside organization and they will assign a grade. Again, this is all a personal preference.
 
My favorite site and great resource for any homeschooling parent is HSLDA Advocates for homeschooling Toddlers to Tweens. They suggest keeping a portfolio which could include a school calendar, field trip outings, and sporting events. You could be as detailed as you like to be and you could include:

1) A teacher's lesson plan
2) Lists of materials (possibly even where you bought the materials and how much they cost)
3) Important papers - report cards/grades if issued. Any standardized tests or evaluations. This could be necessary if the child is going to enter or re-enter school or is could be just for posterity to reminisce.
4) Maybe photos or video of the child singing or playing an instrument or reciting poetry.
5) Samples of best work (papers, projects and possible achievements won)
6) Checklist of life skills acquired
 
If this portfolio seems too much then you could just keep a large bin for each child and save some of the student's best work. Save awards and any official transcripts. I like the idea of giving the child a journal in 8th grade and having that student record their volunteer hours, their outside curricular activities and their completed reading lists. Give some of the responsibility to your child. Let the child keep track of their activities and the dates.
 
If you are a parent, like me, that does not assign grades then don't fret. Keep a journal of your teaching philosophy and a list of yearly goals. This narrative transcript could be further added to your child's on-line classes or potential community college classes. A child would receive an "official" transcript for those classes and that could be sent to the college along with your narrative transcript. In some instances, scholarship money has been effected when record keeping hasn't been accurately kept so, it is best to start keeping written records as your child is entering highschool. If your child is a senior and you haven't kept any documentation then take the time to sit with your teenager and try to remember together. Your teenager will remember what work they have completed and probably even their reading. It is not impossible to get a completed transcript but, the best way is to start early.
 
A simple journal and a large bin may be all that is necessary to keep your child's records in one location. Remember record keeping and transcripts is a personal preference. Don't be scared into thinking you cannot homeschool through highschool. You are not alone and there are so many resources available to help you through the teenage years.
Connecticut Places & Spaces
With the new school year around the corner, you might want to consider some favorite places to go with your homeschooled children when the attendance is low. CT has a lot to offer!
 
New London County 
Mashantucket Pequot Museum- Homeschool discount on membership 
Mystic Aquarium- Homeschool classes 
Mystic Seaport- Homeschool classes 
Tantaquidgeon Museum Montville- free admission 
Rocky Neck Beach 
Fort Shantok- Nature Walk and Playground 
 
Windham County 
Windham Textile and History Museum- Kids’ club classes 
Prudence Crandall House 
Roseland Cottage 
Quaddick State Park 
James L Goodwin State Forest- Often has great classes open to homeschoolers 
 
New Haven County 
Stepping Stones Museum 
Robin Hood Springtime Festival 
Yale Peabody Museum 
Lyman Orchards 
Hammonasset Beach 
 
Hartford County 
CT Science Center- Homeschool discount on membership 
CT Historical Society- Homeschool days a few times a year 
New Britain Museum of American Art- Monthly homeschool classes 
Wickham Park 
Elizabeth Park 
 
Litchfield County 
Aldrich Museum of Contemporary Art 
Glebe House Museum 
Institute for American Indian Studies 
Kent Falls State Park 
Mount Tom State Park 
 
Middlesex County 
CT River Museum in Essex- Homeschool classes 
Kidcity Museum 
Dinosaur State Park 
Devils Hopyard State Park 
Gillette’s Castle State Park 
 
Fairfield County 
Beardsley Zoo 
Bruce Museum 
Weir Farm Historical Site 
Bartlett Arboretum 
Jennings Beach/Sandcastle Park Playground 
 
Tolland County 
New England Civil War Museum 
CT State Museum of Natural History 
Nathan Hale Homestead 
Mansfield Hollow State Park 
Gay City State Park 
 
CT Homeschooling & Networking
Be sure to join the CHN facebook page if you're a CT homeschooling family!  You can also join the CHN Yahoo group, too. 
 
This is the time of year when the question comes up about whether or not to file a Notice of Intent (NOI).  This is probably the number one question that CHN is asked about. While you can read the FAQ section of the website about the law and homeschooling, we can give you the short answer here.  The NOI is not, nor has it ever been, required by law.  It is a Suggested Procedure on Home Instruction.  Parents decide whether or not they choose to file it.

If they do, they may be asked to participate in a end-of-school-year Portfolio Review (PR).  The PR is also held at the discretion of the parents as the PR is also not required by law.  
 
If you have any questions, you can reach us at the CHN Contact Us page.

CT Homeschool Network  •  P.O. Box 115  •  Goshen, CT 06756

http://www.cthomeschoolnetwork.org

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