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Workbook features: 100 reproducible pages with a lay-flat binding to copy as needed for your family or class.
CD-Rom features
Microsoft Word Templates and
PDF files, page for page as the book. Print out for easy use. Compatible with IBM & Mac Computers. The Interactive Version (2000 version is IBM only) allows you to type in each space on the page and then print out. Simple and easy to use. Also includes several new and extra pages not in the book.
Ebook features: Fast delivery, All the PDF files as in the cd-rom version in one file. Option to buy sections of the book and coming soon individual pages in Word or PDF format.
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Ideas for using A Garden Patch¦
Directions for assembling your portfolio:
Copy the cover of your choice along with the matching inside "Introduction" page, and "Spine" sheet (under "Portfolio, Planners and Organizers"). The spines will also be used in your other notebooks. Have each member of the family pick out the color paper he would like. Use the chosen color to make all their notebooks, calendars, and reports for the particular person. (It gives an extra personalized look and when they are left on the floor you don't have to see the handwriting to know whose it is.)
Put into the cover pockets of your notebook.
Copy the planners and schedules you wish to use, 3-hole punch them and place into your notebook. Make a cup of tea and give the children an activity with instructions - "don't bother Mommy right now." Spend time in general organizing, praying for God's wisdom and direction. Fill in the information you can. Details come later.
Remember these pages are not requirements, but do contain outlines and ideas to personalize for your family, and make life easier for you. This is a memory book not a burden or piles of paperwork you have to do.
You have the choice on how elaborate or brief you wish to make your Portfolio. Keep in mind the following
things.
Three good reasons to have a well organized portfolio:
1) You might need to make a
presentation to the school board, other officials or to prospective colleges.
2) A portfolio is sometimes used for a teacher evaluation. (This is where a certified teacher sits with the child, asks questions and reviews the portfolio with samples of work the child has completed during the year.)
3) A well organized portfolio keeps you
on track and focused on your goals. We all need that especially
when we have bads or hectic days and weeks. It brings us back to
reality that we are doing a good job and our kids really are
learning something.
There are no set guidelines on the right or
wrong way to organize your portfolio, so relax and enjoy making
a yearbook journal of your children's academic year.
An example of a brief portfolio:
Log all curriculum and reading material used during the year. This is to be made contemporaneously with the instruction.
Samples of assignments completed during the year. In each subject, show a sample of their work from the beginning of the year, the middle, and then the end. Use what would best express the progress your child has made.
The child must -
"...demonstrate educational progress at a level commensurate with
his ability ..." - show samples of this.
In many states you
need to keep attendance. Don't you love it! "Yes, my student came
out of the bedroom to the living room." If this applies, I
would recommend the "Yearly planner and just mark an x for "here on
the date."
With our son Jonathan I have taken the blank chart and
listed his books in the left column and the dates across the top. He
checks the assignments he completed which also shows he showed up
for classes that day. I have him date all his paperwork just in case
we need to look back on them.
Example of an elaborate portfolio:
Get your 3-ring notebooks. Decide if you are going to make a portfolio for each child or one for the family. Copy your cover choice, fill in the information and place in cover pockets. Complete the inside information page.
Use a "School Picture Page" for each child and place into a clear page protector. I slide the child's last evaluation results in on the other side. It keeps things in order and together.
Put a copy of notification from the school board or your private school or whoever you have registered with.
Put a copy of your state
homeschooling requirements. You can get a copy on line at www.HSLDA.org. If you were needing
to present your portfolio, it will be because they do not understand
the law. You need to make it your responsibility to know your rights.
Create divider pages. Use the first section for planning and general log
sheets, and divide the remainder by either subject or child or by month.
Under planning and general log sheets, list your lessons, schedules, textbooks
and all materials used. (copy your choice from the "Planning & Organizing" section.)
Sections by subject - add calendars and newsletters to your planning section. Keep them in chronological order. You want to show progressive progress.
Sections by month - include a monthly calendar, support group newsletters, pictures of activities and field trips, reading material, and anything else related to that particular month.
You have the choice of which samples of work to keep. (I keep everything and at the end of the year pick samples out and box the rest.)
Include awards and certificates
from 4H, church, History Fairs, sports, Mom, etc.
Unit studies - take pictures to document their progress and work. Log on the "unit study worksheet" your outline and lessons learned. Adding the picture speaks a thousand words.
Monthly calendar - mark all extra classes and special activities. Example: Ballet classes, choir at church, sports activities, co-op classes, dentist, etc.
Keep a daily, weekly or monthly log
of work completed, assignments and grades.
Evaluation sheets - Review your
year and list any changes and curriculum you would like for next
year while it is fresh on your mind. This will
help when you attend the curriculum fairs and are overwhelmed
with choices, when it is easy to lose focus. Having the list handy
will save you time when you catalog or online
purchase.
The evaluation sheets help you see all the wonderful things that did get done and how much progress was made. Remember Godly character should be on the top of the list.
Categorize planners and calendars
by month or subject using index tabs. Create lasting memories by
adding pictures of field trips, unit studies and activities to
personalize each yearbook portfolio for your family.
Directions for assembling a Life Notebook:
Print cover (see category - "Life
Notebook") and the worksheets that you wish to include. Put
into a
1" notebook. Using dividers makes it easier to organize. Personalize one for each child.
To make the memory verse cards: Fill out the verses in the computer or print out a blank card and have the children do them by hand. Print the page on card stock and cut the cards out all the same size. Punch a hole in the top left and/or right corner of each card (remember to do this the same on each card). Stack the cards together and place a clip through the cards.
 Directions for assembling your History Time-Line:
Make a copy of the time-line cover
(see category - "History Time-line"), one for each child, and
put into a 1 inch to 3 inch ring notebook. Spiral binding is great also.
Copy the "Time-line Master" sheet on both sides of card stock paper making the number of pages necessary for your study.
30 - 2-sided copies will cover
6,000 years of history.
There are seven reports available to
complete with your study and add to your book. These are simple one
page reports you can use as a family study guide or independant
study for older students. We have one book for each child and keep
adding to it year after year. Think of the wonderful
personalized history book your child will have when he graduates.
Mark each crest with the year, 50 - 100 years per page. Example:
As you study about an invention, a famous person or any historical topic, have your child mark the information by the appropriate year on the time-line. In the space below write and/or draw important information he has learned on the topic. Feel free to add pages and be creative. "The History Report", "Who am I? " Biography Report", and "Time Travel", are some reports that can be completed and added into the time period studied. The reports cut off along the top, so you are always able to see the dates of the timeline master page.
Notebooking and Unit Study Ideas using A Garden Patch:
Put the following pages together
for fun unit studies "God's Child", "My Family Tree", "Where I Live" and the "History Time-Line" page. The child will learn more about himself, family, and community. Draw a timeline of his life. Example: When was each person in the family born, the day you moved to your new house, the first day he tied his shoes, or when you brought home the new family pet. The older children can expand and do a "State Report" and then a "Country Report". Interview grandparents with the Interview sheet and study about your new pet with the "Animal investigation". Don't stop now! To keep your child going, use the "Internet Research Report" for looking up your family ancestors on the Internet and don't forget to study the weather in your area using the "Weather Chart", and then talk to the missionary from your church. I could keep going but I hope you get the idea.
An Animal Investigation Notebook - Use for a science study on animals.
A Plant Investigation Notebook - Create a study of the plant world.
State Report Notebook - Study all 50 States and include maps and pictures.
Countries of the World Notebook - Study the different countries of the
world. This along with the library or internet research would make your geography curriculum for the year. Include maps and pictures.
Presidential Notebook - As you study a period of American History add a quick study of the person in charge of the country during that time. It could give you an interesting perspective of the time period.
Inventions - With this unit study we had so much fun that it lasted a whole year. We studied the history of the inventions, and in most cases scientifically how they worked. We also studied the character of the men and woman who were responsible and what sacrifices it took for them to make these accomplishments.
Visit with an Author - If your children enjoy several books by the same author, read about the life of the author. It will gave you a new perspective in reading their books. Have you ever read about Robert McClowsky? When you have, reading Make Way For Ducklings will have more meaning, appreciation and giggles.
A Missionary's Journey Notebook - Do studies on different
Missionary's you know or have read about. Ywam has some published some wonderful biographies on missionaries and famous people.
Presentation Nights - served with popcorn.
Instead of having the children write a history report about the Middle Ages, have them write a "Newspaper Story" or a "Play", draw a "Picture Story" or write a "Song", these are all pages included in the book. Plan a night for them to perform for the family. Instead of a final written test, require a presentation of what they have learned. These nights have brought great laughter and lasting family memories.
Harvesting Time: ... after all your planting, watering and weeding
you have produced a healthy and beautiful plant.
.... similarly
with your homeschooling, after all your planning, nurturing, and
training you have produced a beautiful and mature child. May the
Lord grant you wisdom and grace as you seek to raise your child in the truths and principles of His Word.
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