Do I really need two blogs?

And the answer is yes!

In the state of Ohio, the law states that students either have to submit a standardized test result to the superindent each year OR a written narrative by a certified Ohio teacher stating that the student is working up to his/her ability. Except for my first year, we have always gone the portfolio route. I like the idea that the portfolio gives us something substantial to have as evidence of our homeschooling, and I like it as a record of the past and as incentive to the children to do good work to keep in their portfolios.

Dr. Karen Holinga, gave a well attended talk at a homeschool convention about 5 years ago, and discussed the importance of keeping good records, including book lists and slips from the library. I have always done that, but it seems so- well boring really.

I was giving some thought to this yesterday when I was trying to figure out how to make my portfolios more exciting. And then it hit me that if I could figure out how to use Library Thing to keep my lists, perhaps I could keep it on my homeschool blog, and then use that blog as an extended part of my polio.

I’ve already started to add the lists of books that we are using in science to supplement our curriculum, and the gooks that Gabe is reading. I realize this is a little different way to use Library thing than keeping track of my own personal library, but I figure that is what the descriptive tags are for.

We have also been blessed to have Dr. Holinga be our portfolio reviewer. I’m thinking that next summer, I can e-mail her with my homeschool site and she can see what we have done and review the book lists as well. I can additionally make a note of the web site in the kids own paper portfolios. I’m hoping this will be an exciting and fun way to document our school year.

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