Explaining simply what a portfolio is.....
Portfolios allow a homeschooling family to sort through what is being learned, decide what learning lessons have demonstrated value, and allows a future record of what learning was accomplished in a particular school year. In addition, a portfolio allows a homeschooling family to CREATE MEMORIES for your child, grandchildren, friends, or family. This also is a formal way to showcase your child’s work not based upon comparison with other children [or for students with poor test-taking skills]. Portfolios give you a chance to review what has been taught at your ‘school’ and tweak your approach and subjects as needed. .
Do many hands-on projects? Just like coloring eggs, homeschooling can entail many aspects that do not fit on a worksheet.
Include interesting things your child has learned that may not be included in traditional school settings. For example, when my oldest daughter was 10 years old, she showed an interest in cooking and baking. I let this become a part of our weekly lessons, having her measure, double, half, and triple recipes. She learned a lot and cooking gave her a huge amount of confidence in using her math skills. All my girls have learned to cook and bake at an early age. Now my oldest also does the grocery shopping and coupons with the weekly ad!
Create Relevant Content
Portfolios are a way to let your unique child shine through. Let your child take part in preparing the portfolio; this can be another lesson in organization, sorting, and creativity.
The portfolio gives your child a voice that annual assessment via standardized testing would not compare. Testing annually is fine; portfolios are a way to create memories and view accomplishments. Maybe put the test results into the portfolio.