Before your children throw away all of their schoolwork for the year, stop them! It is helpful to keep a record of what your child has done not only for posterity’s sake but in the event that the superintendent’s office should question whether your child attended school. I was given the advice many moons ago to keep records for three years.

Also, it is fun to look back over the years and see what your child has learned. I actually kept a labeled binder of schoolwork for each year and just stored it in the attic. One of the hardest things to do was to throw it away after my sons had graduated. lol Silly, I know, but there was a lot of blood, sweat, prayers, laughter, and tears in those binders!

So, what kind of things would I recommend you to keep for your records?

• Samples of your student’s best work. Pages or narratives from the beginning, middle, and end of the year would show a representation of the year.
• Photos of activities such as experiments, sports, plays, field trips, nature studies, gardening, projects that have been completed, artwork. The sky’s the limit!
• Programs of concerts, plays, church programs, recitals, etc.
• List of materials used and topics studied
• Report cards/ grades if issued
• A copy of the portfolio review assessment or testing scores
• A general reading list of books completed.
• School photos
• Achievement awards
• High school transcript

Optional :

• A school calendar
• Lesson plan book
• List of extracurricular activities

In a separate binder:

I advise you to keep your yearly notification records separate from your student’s school binder. These documents should be kept in a safe place and photographed in the unlikelihood of something happening to your official paperwork.

• A copy of the completed Home Education Notification Form
• A copy of your list of textbooks
• A copy of the portfolio review assessment or testing scores
• A copy of the topics you are studying for the year
• The signed receipt from the school (Send your notification form by registered mail with a registered receipt)
• Your excusal letter from compulsory education

Have a great week! If you are in need of a portfolio review please contact me. I would love to serve you and your family and help you to meet the requirement to homeschool here in Ohio.

~Lisa~