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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 |
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Aloud |
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| Computer |
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Silently |
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| Problem Solving |
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Review |
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| Maths Text |
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Retelling |
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| Activity Card |
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Story telling |
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| Other |
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Other |
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| Writing - at least three activities each day |
| Diary |
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Story |
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| Newsletter item |
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Jokes |
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| Post Card |
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Recipe |
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| Letter |
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List |
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| Coded message |
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'My Word' |
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| Scrabble |
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Wordsearch |
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| 'Reading Skills' |
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'Sentence S'th' |
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| Crossword |
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Computer |
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| 'Vital Signs' |
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Project |
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| Art/Craft Activities - at least three activities in a week |
| Sewing - Plain |
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Marbling |
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Bead Making |
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Sketching |
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Kites |
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| Embroidery |
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Rock Painting |
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Play dough |
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Painting |
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Puppets |
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| Applique |
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Windchimes |
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Paper Making |
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Oil Pastels |
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Masks |
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| Candle Making |
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Collage |
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Tie Dyeing |
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Woodwork |
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Pinata |
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| Clay Work |
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Printing Art |
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Press Flowers |
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Dancing |
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Model making |
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| Knitting |
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Mandalas |
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Carving |
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Role Playing |
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Music |
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| Society, Environment, Technology and Science - at least eight explorations a week |
| Electronics |
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Mapping |
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Computing |
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| Chemistry |
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Weather |
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Geography |
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| Mechanics |
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Gardening |
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Culture |
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| Rock Collection |
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Museum Friends |
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Permaculture projects |
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| Game |
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Excursion |
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Light |
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| Television |
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Natural History |
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Sound |
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| Human Body |
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Animals, etc |
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Liquids |
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| Space |
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Materials |
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History |
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Since 1989 Beverley Paine has
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