Make a Prime Day list!

 There are so many summer sales.  Make a Prime Day list.  Be sure to do a deep dive when you compare prices with Walmart, Dollar Tree, Five Below, and Temu.  I teach Co-op, lead Faith and Science camps, and help with religious education.  I use loads of card stock, craft sticks, coffee stir sticks, polymer clay, etc for loads of projects from clay, anatomy models to catapults.  Look at consumables like glue, glue sticks, and markers.  Let’s see if we can save a few dollars this year!

High School Portfolio Evaluations

  In another life I taught in both private schools, public schools, and adjuncted at a local college.  Additionally, I did some educational consulting with the AP Board.  I have evaluated portfolios for over ten years.  What do I look for in high school portfolios? Does this seem exhaustive?  I hope so.  I try hard to fairly evaluate families and the work they do home-schooling.  Here goes.

Science: Did the family use a textbook?  Did they complete at least 2/3 of the textbook?  Did the family assign tests?  What does the family do in lieu of tests?   Every family addresses tests differently: some do every test from the publisher.  Other families do not test at all.  Advise the families to administer four to six tests annually.  Research projects are fine as alternative assessments. Does the family do labs?  My advice is to do at least one lab or experiment for each chapter or module.  Encourage the family to set a goal of twelve labs minimum.  My own Co-op, science classes do four formal lab reports; additionally, we collect and analyze data in a spreadsheet for other labs.  Sometimes the kids build models as part of a lab. My Co-op has regular lab assessments—but only four, formal lab reports.  Has the family considered participating in a science fair?  Do they do big projects?  

English: High school English courses include Composition, American Literature, English Literature, and World Literature. Ideally, students complete four courses.  Literature courses assign both paragraphs, letters, and essays.  Some programs require a research project or literary analysis.  The number of books assigned varies enormously.  A minimum of four books is fine, especially if the class includes a number of short stories, poems, and fables. Four essays are also reasonable minimums for literature courses.   Does the course have a syllabus?  Did the family complete 2/3 of the syllabus?  I use Stobaugh for literature classes I teach because I like the reading lists.  However, I used a syllabus from Kolbe with an individual teen I home-schooled.  The programs were very different.  Be sure to look at the syllabus as you evaluate the course.

History: High school History includes World History, American History, European History, Civics, and Government.   History courses vary as much as do different literature courses.  I used middle school, History textbooks in high school for two years, with the teen I home-schooled.  She was a reluctant reader and responded better to the middle school series.  I used the Catholic Textbook Project’s Light to the Nations I and II. Did the family complete at least 2/3 of the textbook?  How was material tested?  You will see a great deal of variety.  Does the History program have Geography?  Happily, most families use a textbook.  I think every teen should take Civics and Government. They should understand the Constitution, Bill of Rights, and how a bill becomes a law.  

Math: At the high school level, math includes Algebra I and II, Geometry, Precalculus, Statistics, and Calculus. Ideally, kids take four years of math.  Our Co-op offers a Consumer Math for teens who have completed Algebra I and Geometry.  (We have some kids who just can’t tackle Algebra II.) Because our Consumer Math class has so many practical topics, many families enroll their kids as an elective.  Again, did the family complete 2/3 of the textbook?  Do they test every chapter or module?  Is testing quarterly or by semester? Are there any cumulative tests?  My husband, Rob, teaches math for the Co-op.  He tests every chapter, but seldom assigns quizzes.  The kids do lessons, practice, finish the study guide, and test. I work off Rob’s model when I evaluate.  Most families test regularly in math.

Languages:  Many teens take a language: Latin, French, German, or Spanish.  Did the teen complete 2/3 of the course?  Was the program graded?  How often?  Was the focus on vocabulary or grammar?  I learned the hard way some online schools evaluate foreign language credit based on an independent assessment.  I looked over the assessment; it was entirely grammar!  I spent six frantic weeks scrambling to cram in enough grammar for three of the  students to earn enough points to get credit for French I.   In another case, a friend’s son has been working with me once a week for the last three years to learn Latin.  We are still working in Henle’s Latin I book.  Here, we are studying Latin; we may or may not finish two years by the time he completes high school.

Electives: I usually mention electives in my evaluations.  However, the local school board may disregard them.  Electives may or may not be graded.  If you add electives, be sure to include private art or music lessons, Driver’s Ed, First-Aid/ CPR certification, Dave Ramsay’s course, job shadowing, or Civil Air Patrol or Rescue Squad qualifications.  

Portfolio Evaluations

  Every year, I do a bunch of portfolio evaluations.  I just banged out a bunch.  I have permanent certification in West Virginia; my master’s degree allows me to evaluate portfolios in Virginia, despite the expiration of my Virginia certification.  I have a few tips for those of you doing portfolio evaluations.

1. Include your resume and certifications with the evaluation letter.  I attained National Board Certification  in Chemistry, too. All of my certificates and my resume goes in the packet (or attached digitally) to the local school boarde.  Why?  I want to ensure the bloated recognizes that I’m qualified to evaluate portfolios.

2.  First, consider the law.  In Virginia, the Home Educators Association in Virginia ( HEAV) have this guidance for Virginia evaluators.  The Christian Home Educators of West Virginia (CHEWV) have these guidelines.  The law varies by state.  Be sure to research your state’s rulings.  Check the deadlines, too!

3. What should be in the portfolio?  If this is your first year, arrange a meeting with the family.  Encourage the family to create a digital portfolio.  Review the curriculum.  I work with families enrolled in online school who use a defined curriculum.  Some families have created their own curriculum.  Be sure to look all of the textbooks, workbooks, and syllabi, if available.  Ask about a reading log.  I encourage every family to keep a reading log.  Next, look at work samples for every, core subject: Math, Science, Reading, Hand-writing, Spelling, Vocabulary, History, and Geography.  Some families may have Phonics, Composition, Latin, etc.  Request work samples.  Look over grades quizzes and tests.  Teaching Textbook and Rosetta Stone  provide grade summaries.  Make note of the averages.  Read any essays, too.  I try not to put too many details into the letter for the school board.  But these details are useful.

4. Write two letters: one for the school board and one for the family.  I like to make suggestions for the family.  I’m looking to see whether the family is teaching the core subjects: Math, English, History, and Science.  I want to learn if the family teaches for two-three hours (minimum) each day with a period set aside for daily reading.  Are there several work samples for each course?  Does science include labs?  Are there formal quizzes and tests?  Is the child working on grade level?  Does the family home-school from September until May?  If the family schools year-round, are they teaching around 30-32 weeks of the year?  Tailor suggestions to the family.  For example, an elementary aged student may not do any science; I recommend doing one weekly experiment of lab.  I also recommend Apologia Young Explorers and Apologia Science for Middle School and High School grades.

5.  Make a list of specific suggestions or challenges for the family.  Does the family take field trips?  Suggest local, free sites, such as the Marine Corps Museum or battlefield sites. I recommend summer, enrichment camps or seminars.  Do a multi-sport camp, join Mathnasium for two weeks, take part in a summer reading program at the library.  Encourage the family to report any extras in their portfolio.

6. What if the child has special needs?  All bets are off.  I’m working with several families who have children with special needs.  In one case, the child has a host of medical issues, too.  What is the family doing to help the child to continue to progress and develop?  Doe the child have therapies, such as speech, occupational therapy, vision therapy, physical therapy, music therapy?  What activities does the child do as a result?  Is she chalking outside to learn the motions to write?  Is she learning sign language to communicate?  The more profound the learning differences, the more important it is to understand what the family is doing to help their child grow.  In other cases, especially for elementary-aged students with learning differences, the family may spend most of their time working on math and reading.  History and Science take a back seat while they work on getting the child up to speed in reading.  I work with several families in that position.  I agree wholeheartedly that reading and math must take precedent over everything else.  I still recommend some History, Geography, and Science. Reading logs may include books read as a family and audio books—not just those books read independently.

7. Here is a generic portfolio review for a family.  Here is a basic letter.  My suggestions vary; each family’s situation is different.  I do recommend reading a book each week and writing a book report.  I read about this suggestion in Dr. Mary Kay Clark’s book, Catholic Homeschooling.  She explains that this is an insurance policy for a bad week.  I agree!  Are there any gaps?  Are high school, science classes lab based?  Does English include reading, grammar, spelling, vocabulary, phonics, and composition?  Be aware that by high school, kids may be taking harder courses, such as British Literature, which include reading several books and writing several essays.  I do look for four, formal lab reports for each science classes, as a minimum.  I think a literature class should include at least four novels and essays.  Only four as a minimum?  I just spent a school year dragging my composition class through four novels and essays.  All but one child has learning differences.  Let me tell you, it took a Herculean effort to just finish four books.  (Yes, we did a bunch of different writing exercises.) Hopefully, this will help you craft an evaluation.

What skills should a child know?

  I’m in the middle of portfolio season—evaluating portfolios for home-school families.  One aspect I’ve  had to consider long and hard is what does a child need to know, what skills, and at what age.  When I taught in private and public schools, I mainly taught Chemistry, with some Biology and Physical Science.  What do you use for standards?  Common Core? State Standards?  For the most part, at least in the sciences, teachers agree on the topics.  The topics, modules, or chapters are similar across different science textbooks.  But what about other subjects, like math?  Too often individuals drive change on a national level.  I’m not sure all the changes are good.   What should you do?  Let’s take a common sense approach.  I’ve been looking for skill based checklists.  I found a few.  Once you go down this rabbit hole, you’ll once again appreciate the value of a good, home-school curriculum.

1. Early Math Skills Check List looks good for early grades, kiddos 4-7, probably intended for kids 5-6. (We all know children develop at different rates.)  Here is an intermediate math skills check list, which looks appropriate for students 8-11, likely intended for kids 8-9. 

2. Scroll down to the Math paragraph here for skill-based, math checklists for K-5, based on Common Core Standards.  (I think the standards are fine; I’m not wild about how the standards have been implemented.) 

3. The American River Charter School’s “I Can” statements are checklists for core subjects: math, science, social studies, and language arts, for grades K-8. Take a look at these lists, which all seem reasonable.  

4. New York State has maintained high standards.  Look at this  English checklist, organized by a NY educator.

5. Home School Den has a History Checklist.  Believe me, Social Studies is a rat’s nest, which varies enormously by state. Although many districts focus on state history in fourth or fifth grades.   Often some sociology and geography is tossed into Social Studies.

 6.  National Geographic’s Geography Skills Handbook has a good outline for the overall scope of geography, based on National Geography Standards, based on teacher consensus.  (I recommend Evan-Moor’s Daily Geography Workbooks, which have a host of map skills.)

7. I’ve found Khan Academy to be reliable.  

Just add candy!

I teach for the local, home-school Co-op.  One thing we all love is candy!  Add some candy to your science labs: Edible Aquifer, Oreo Mitosis, Gummy Bear Dissection, and Candy DNA Model.  Now if I could come up with candy ideas for literature or history.

Assorted Math and Science

  Yes, I feel it is a public service to highlight interesting items at Good Will.  Be sure to check the shipping costs before you bid!  Yes, I did bid on the Identiflyer.  (I didn’t know Identiflyer had frog calls, too! We have a pond in our backyard, full of frogs.  I took an amphibian course one time.  Just like birds, frog call recordings can be used for identification.)  The glassware available is useful for Chemistry experiments, especially beakers.  Scientific glassware is typically borosilicate or Pyrex.  Take a look!

 

Headsets

 Good Will online has some headsets available.  Here is a review.  Many home-school families take classes online.  A good headset is a must!  Good Will does NOT retain your credit card information and accepts Pay Pal.  Be sure to check the cost of shipping before you bid.  Yes, there are adapters for USB, such as the one below, to use with an iPad or another device.

Lifepac

 Good Will has a set of Lifepac online.  Look at these Grades 3-5 Samples.  The lot at Good Will has third and fourth grade materials. Here is the home page for the Lifepac curriculum.  If you use these materials, the price is right!

Seventh Grader

 What core curriculum is suitable for seventh grade?  Naturally, there are factors to consider.  What are your child’s math and reading levels?  Does your kiddo like to read?  Does he need a structured schedule with specific goals?  I’m working with a child who doesn’t like to read, is on grade level, and likes a schedule.  Let’s choose books with workbooks for him, when possible.    

First, look at Kolbe Academy’s Junior Literature manual.  Choose books to read and to report, say at least four.  Make vocabulary lists from the books.  They can serve as spelling lists, too.  Copy the words to practice handwriting.  It is not cheating to substitute an Illustrated Classic.  Some kids need an abridged book in order to wallow through and finish it.  Here is a book report template.  (Decide whether or not you want the child to use a basal reader, too.)  Kiddos like efficiency.  Use one book to address loads of skills.  

Secondly, try Saxon Math first.  We can always switch.  It can be tricky to determine a child’s math level.  This is why I recommend used copies.  Try both Math 7/6 and 6/5.   Here is a Saxon Middle School Sampler.  Don’t be concerned about labels.  The goal is a math program which is a little hard; however, the child isn’t weeping at the table every day.  

Science has loads of options.  I love the Apologia Homeschool Science Curriculum for elementary-age students.  However, the Chemistry and Physics is really better for seventh grade.  Look at the General Science, too, for Middle School, often used for sixth or seventh grade.  All of these have student notebooks.  The child can read and work in the notebook everyday using daily planner in the notebook or Notebooking journal.  Often public and private middle schools teach Earth, Life, and Physical Science.  Try to find a study guide for the textbook.  However, there are usually questions in the textbook to answer.  Again, the vocabulary can become part of the child’s weekly spelling test.

For History, I stand by the Catholic Textbook Project’s History series.  They all have workbooks, too.  There is nothing wrong with using a fourth grade  textbook for a seventh grader, especially if you like the entire series, and might want to use all of them.  Look at the sample for sixth grade All Ye Lands.   We used seventh and eighth grade textbooks with workbooks for Lacie in high school because they were at her level.   There are quizzes and tests, too. 

You are planning for your child.  So what if you use a textbook and need two years to complete it.  Other kids need to advance a grade level or two.  Look at the samples and review the table of contents for any textbook you use.  How does your kiddo learn?  Does she like to read?  Would she be happier at a faster pace?  The goal is to help your child learn and progress well.  It’s not a race or a competition.

How I evaluate home-school portfolios

 For over the past thirteen or fourteen years, I’ve helped families evaluate portfolios.  Some states require a licensed teacher to evaluate home-school portfolios even when they are enrolled in an online school.  Virginia and West Virginia.  HEAV offers this Evaluation Letter as a guide.  This Academic Assessment Report must be submitted to the local public school administration in West Virginia.  

Here is what I do.  First I meet with the families, usually in their home.  I ask the family to pull out their textbooks and syllabi.  Each family approaches school differently.  Most of the first interview is about understanding how the family home-schools.  Do they use a program?  Are they enrolled in an online school?  Do they use a curriculum?  I worked with one family who devised their own curriculum successfully.  What is the school day?  What would the family like to show me?  Often the children like to guide me on a tour of their school space.  Sometimes, the kids share interesting projects.  

The first interview usually takes two or three hours.  I want the family to tell me as much as possible about their home-school approach.  One family created an annual theme.  There was an extensive timeline of music bordering the school room.  Other families stick to a strict daily routine and never deviate from planned lessons and the syllabus ordered from an online program.  

Here is what I need to see if the child has made adequate progress: work samples, photos, time-lines, projects, models, dioramas, LEGO creations, and lists.  I like reading logs with the titles of books read—ideally prepared by the kids.  Did the family assign book reports?  Are there hand-writing samples?  What about tests or other assessments, such as a completed lapbook were performed?  

One family creates a digital portfolio similar to this one, Paul’s grade report.  The mom copies the curriculum guide and scans samples, tests, essays, etc, for each child.  (The family has eleven children.)  The same mom sends along photos of everything the family does during the year: fieldtrips, service work, scouting events, and family celebrations.  Many families overlook the educational value of a trip to the Air and Space Museum.  I’ve helped this family for over ten years.  The mom just sends we digital copies of everyone’s work for me to write letters.

My job is to write a brief letter stating that I have evaluated the student’s work to ensure adequate progress.  Guess what?  Adequate progress looks different for every child.  High school teens may pursue Civil Air Patrol or train through the local Rescue Squad.  Sometimes families don’t think about this as part of the teen’s education.  The training modules are quite similar to those taught in ROTC classes in public schools.  Did the child take a Dave Ramsay program?  Is she studying music?  Yes, core subjects such as math, English, history, and science are key.  But, the Co-op sports club is part of the child’s education.  

Below is a generic evaluation letter.  Usually, I tailor the letter to each child’s completed work: the number of books read and details from an essay or book report.  The letter for the public school system is invariably formal.  I usually make suggestions to the family.  Sometimes, I have a few recommendations, as well.  Those comments are separate from the letter.  The letter is a formality.  Is the child making progress or not?  My job is to encourage families who take on the heroic job of home-schooling their children, not berate them.  Find an evaluator who will support you!

 

Third Grade Level Recommendations

 A friend at church asked for help because she wants to home-school.  I’m assembling some materials I like for her and want to share them with you, too.  One of her two elementary-aged children is bored.  My friend, Jen, another home-school mom, taught public school and has the tools to evaluate reading levels.  Let’s assume the rising third grader is on level. Here are my suggestions for a basic curriculum.

1.  I know the little girl doesn’t love to read.  So, a literature based program is out.  However, a basal reader  should be perfect.  My favorite basal or anthology is from Open Court.  Look for an older edition of a general reading book.  Yes, this is old school. These anthologies have fables, short stories, poems, etc, a little of everything.  Make spelling lists from weekly reading.  Use Zaner Bloser for handwriting or Even-Moor’s Daily Handwriting.  I used the literature book below.  There are questions for loads of classic books.  Set a goal to read books.  Keep a log.  Choose easier books, listen to audiobooks, or read aloud with your child.  

2. There are many, many math programs, including Saxon Math.

Before you decide, try 3rd Grade Math with Khan Academy.    

3. Science is an easy choice, Apologia’s Young Explorers Series. Go with the first edition of Zoology 1, Flying Creatures. There are two ‘Notebooking’ books journals.  The Junior notebook has handwriting practice and coloring.  The other journal has puzzles, and more notes.  Both notebooks have a syllabus.  

4. Third grade is a little young for history.  Why not try Daily Geography? Or History Pockets?  Remember, your focus is on reading, writing, and arithmetic.  

5.  Religion is easy, Faith and Life.  Although, my friend teaches CCD and may decide to keep both children enrolled.  You would be surprised how many home-school families do.

Create your own electives!

 First, if you need a few electives to round out your high school transcript, consider the free, online courses from Hillsdale College.  (Lacie did a few her senior year.) These are high quality electives.  Another resource is Universal Class.   Ask at your library if they have a membership.  

You can create your own electives, too.  For example, my husband, Rob, teaches guitar one-on-one with a young friend every week.  Right now they’re trying to play all of the Beatles’ songs.  They’ve been playing together for years.  Create your own clinic: writing, grammar, or Civics.  Borrow a book from the library and let your teen work through steps in Water Color Painting.  We used a video workshop from Magnolia to learn how to make the perfect French omelette, as part of French class.  In fact, cooking French dishes was a key component of French.  You could make it a workshop, too. What about poultry or equine management?  Consider the hours and hours your teens pour into their areas of interest.  Document their progress and consider it an elective.

Happy Easter!

 

Chemmatters: Science Articles

 I subscribe to Chemmatters and AACT whenever I teach Chemistry.  I rely on both for original articles, ideas, and fun labs.  But many of the Chemmatters articles are free.  Chemmatters articles have topic which interest kids:  3D Printed Food, Pimple Patches, Bugs and the Future of Meat, How to Raise a Jellyfish, and Ice, Cream…and Chemistry.   Be sure to browse the Resources for Teachers section.  I usually focus on the questions for discussion.  Look at this Emergency Lesson Plan: Chocolate: The New Health Food.  Or is It?  (When I taught in public and private schools, I saved Chemmatters articles with questions in a drawer as emergency lesson plans—for the day you’re just too sick to supply detailed notes for the sub.)  You can assign a simple writing lesson: Is chocolate healthy?  Explain.  It’s considered old fashioned to have your child read and article and write a response.  Print a few articles and questions to set aside when your week has just been chaos as emergency plans.  Use these along with a novel and book report as another safety net for your home-school curriculum.

Write a cookbook!

 Many families wind up their home-school lessons in May.  Now is the time to plan a few summer projects.  Why not produce your own cookbook?  Here are instructions using Google Docs.  Here are steps to help you get organized.  This might be a fun cousins project and a way to extend the number of recipes.  Go old school and write the recipes on index cards and put them into a recipe book or simple composition book. (See bottom photo for a recipe book on Amazon.)  My Aunt Donna has won over 80 cooking contests.  My cousins published her recipes and newspaper clippings into a cookbook they distributed to the whole family.  Does your family want to spearhead a church fundraiser?  Here is the pricing chart from one of the cookbook publishers to give you an idea of the startup costs.  Even a single recipe book is such a treasure!

Summer Fun: Enter the County Fair!

 I love county fairs.  Now is the time to plan your entries.  Do you sew?  Draw?  Raise fancy chickens?  Bake?  Raise  flowers? Have a bunny?  Take photos?  You should enter your item at the fair!  Okay, this can be humbling. (Ask me how I know.)  Even if you don’t win, think about the experience! Yes, it’s fun to tour a fairgrounds; it’s much more meaningful to have a stake in the fair.

1. Register.  Look for Online Registration and the deadlines.  Fair Entries are often free.  

2. Is there a Contest at the fair?   A pageant?  Eating contest?  Cornhole Tournament?  Scarecrow decorating?  Greased pig? 

3. Look at the 2024 Jefferson County Fair Book and the 2025 Warren County Homegoods Book for categories and rules.  They both are good, general guides to the rules most county fairgrounds set.

4. Does your Co-op want to set up a booth and sell hand crafted goods?  Some Fairgrounds have free booths for professional vendors and non profits.  Usually, Soil and Water, Forestry, and Politicians set up booths.  Your Co-op can pick up some swag!

5. Research recipes: Jams and Jellies, Fruit Curds, and Blue Ribbon Recipes.

6. How are quilts judged?  How are garments judged? How are photos judged? How are Vegetables judged?  How are poultry judged? 

7. Locate a regional Sheep to Shawl competition.  This is a team event.  Take it as inspiration for your talented family! 

Easy to Read Versions of Classics

 I’m planning to teach American and British Literature the next two years.  This crew has several kids with learning differences.  I’m filling out my library with easy to read versions of the classics with these publishers: Longman Classics, Classics Illustrated, Great Illustrated Classics, and Classic Starts.

I haunt book sales.  I’m always looking for a different publisher of easy to read classics.  These types of books allow every student to finally finish a book and be part of the discussion.  I also scour Thriftbooks and the like for copies under $7, too.  I lend out my copies; many don’t return, lost in the struggle of family life.  So, I don’t want to overpay.  My husband, Rob, helps with class.  He wants to read these versions, too.

Easter Break!

 Easter is the perfect time to create loads of art projects celebrating Holy Week and Easter.  Pull out all the stops: Crayon Resist for Bible Stories, He is Risen (agamograph), Passion Tryptych, and Catholic Icing’s Mary Crafts.  With any theme you have, look at Blick Lesson Plans for techniques, such as a Narrative Bead Collage.  You could use religious beads and symbols instead.  Block’s Fresco Panel can be adapted for kids, similarly to the Michael Angelo Art Project: Fresco.  Many families take a break to honor the Triduum and Easter holiday.  Stack some art projects and call it a clinic for your portfolio.  May you have a blessed Holy Week and Easter.

Algebra 1: Do conversion problems!

 As a Chemistry teacher, I want kids to understand how to convert units.  My husband, Rob, is teaching Algebra I.  While our textbook doesn’t include unit conversions, we added this as a unit.  The teens have all done conversions earlier in math.  This is one of those topics which don’t stick.  Practice, practice, practice!  Here, here, and here are worksheets.  Want to learn more yourself?  There is a free webinar from AACT, Triple the Tricks: 3 Easy Ways to Master Metric Conversions!

Middle School Workbooks

Workbooks do have a place in the curriculum, especially is grades five through eight.  Kiddos that age like a routine and autonomy.  Let me share my favorites.

1. The Catholic Textbook Project has the best history textbooks I’ve seen in a long time. The series starts at fourth grade and runs through high school.  The curriculum includes textbooks, workbooks, and test and quizzes—all excellent.  I assigned reading, workbook pages, and quizzes.  The workbook helps kids hone in on facts.

2. Another great series is Sadlier’s Vocabulary Workshop.  This series is valuable through high school.  It can make a difference on the SAT.  Paul ran through the sixth grade edition in fifth grade.  I assigned exercises from the workshop book twice a week, as part of English.

3. Evan-Moor Daily Geography is a terrific supplement for History.  Paul did a week’s worth of Geography on Mondays.  This workbook would make a good summer review, too.

4. Two more English workbooks are Easy Grammar and Editor in Chief.  I’ve used Easy Grammar with younger kiddos to help them with the basics.  However, older teens can benefit if they haven’t had much in the way of grammar.

Lab Reports

Several kids in the Co-op Composition class also take Biology.  I carve out time in Composition to work on lab reports. If your kids write a report for one subject, make that assignment their writing practice for the week.  Younger kiddos can hand-write their reports and practice their cursive hand-writing.  Yes, it’s fine to combine assignments!  

 Right now the teens are working on a mega Microscope Slide Lab Report.  Here are the lab report rubric and How to Write a Lab Report.  I review  the rubric and guide before each formal lab report.  Below is a decent example of a lab report, which has been revised. My students type the subsections in bold with colons to make grading easier.  They use the third person with either present or past tense throughout the report.  Take a look!