lesson journal, diary, etc

[chrispeters]

Will you guys give me some examples of what your plan books look like. It's the one thing I'm still unsure of myself about. I find it tedious and a little pointless( who am I keeping this for?). Just of an example of a daily entry would be very helpful.
Thanks,
Chris

[william j]

We use Homeschool tracker

[Dianna]

Will you guys give me some examples of what your plan books look like. It's the one thing I'm still unsure of myself about. I find it tedious and a little pointless( who am I keeping this for?). Just of an example of a daily entry would be very helpful.
Thanks,
Chris

Chris, I don't use a planbook. Instead, I use a weekly journal that I've made on Microsoft Word. (See my explanation about the difference between planbooks and journals on my FAQ page at: www.carolinahomeschooler.com/faq.htm (http://www.carolinahomeschooler.com/faq.htm))

I created a table, with each row equalling one week, and only two columns: the small left-hand one to record dates/attendance, and a longer right-hand one to record each subject area's activities that week. The table is in landscape view. The date/attendance block has the week that I'm journalling and the total days to date that we've homeschooled. The subject area block has the title of each subject and a few details about what we did in those subjects. Here's an example of one row:

SEP 19 – SEP 23 | Reading (or Literature) - title(s) of book(s) read
Total Days: 46...| Writing (or Composition) - specific skills we've covered
.......................| Math - specific skills we've covered
.......................| Science - specific topics we've studied
.......................| Social St. - specific topics we've studied
.......................| Misc - you can list other subjects for your records, if you'd like, but it's
.......................| not necessary since only the 5 areas above are required.
__________________________________________________ ____________________________________
SEP 26 – SEP 30 | Reading (or Literature) - title(s) of book(s) read
Total Days: 50...| Writing (or Composition) - specific skills we've covered
.......................| Math - specific skills we've covered
.......................| Science - specific topics we've studied
.......................| Social St. - specific topics we've studied
.......................| Latin - specific topics we've studied
__________________________________________________ ____________________________________

and so on. When I run out of room on one page, it automatically scrolls to the next. Once I've documented 90 days, I print it out and create another table for the next 90 days. For my biannual reports, I just copy and paste topics from this journal into the different subject areas to document "progress made" and that's that.

Let me know if you have any questions.

Dianna

[Dianna]

There are a few formatting problems with my post, but it won't edit, so I'm leaving it as it is. Let me know if you have questions. :smile2:

Dianna

[chrispeters]

I was specifically wondering about how in detail the daily lessons need to be. For example, if we worked on the associative property in Algebra; could I just enter that as Math-Algebra-associative property; or do I have to go into more detail?

[Dianna]

I was specifically wondering about how in detail the daily lessons need to be. For example, if we worked on the associative property in Algebra; could I just enter that as Math-Algebra-associative property; or do I have to go into more detail?

That's as much detail as you need, in my opinion.

Dianna

[lavinemch]

I use a composition book and number each page in descending order, 180 - 1. ( I got that idea from someone else on this website. ) I usually write out a week's worth, of plans, then check them off as we finish them. If it is a graded assignment, I also write the grade beside the check mark - that way when it comes time for my son's mid year review, we don't have to look through alot of papers to get an average grade. Sometimes we get to everything, sometimes we do not and pick up where we left off. But, having the days numbered, keeps me accountable to see where we might need to speed up our work. My son also works in our tree nursery and during busy times, he may work there all day. When that happens, I ususally only have him do some math (not much) and have some quite reading time. I record that as a day of school. We also do not do everything, everyday. Our science and social studies are split between semesters. We are doing science now, and beginning in January will do social studies. Our lessons for these areas are a little long so we can complete a course in half a year, but he likes that better than jumping around subject areas.

[Palbella]

I use Homeschool Tracker as well. I find it easy to log all my information with this program. You can download a free version. You can purchase an upgrade but I don't see any reason to. The free version is perfect for us and all you need in my opinion. There are many tabs such as School Term, Assignments, Journal, Attendance, Field Trips, Reading Log and so on. I find it easy to print reports for the middle of the year and the end of school. I especially like the ease of the automatic grade tracking. I log each days work and print from the reports menu. I then place into a binder which has divided tabs for assignments, journal and any test given that day etc. Here is the link to download if you are interested. It's really easy to set up. *S*
http://www.tghomesoft.com/

[chrispeters]

Thanks everyone. This was very helpful. I decided to use Dianna's format and I really like how it's working.

[kimmeeangel]

Thanks for the website -- I downloaded it and am playing with it now :)

[Palbella]

You are very welcome. I also make a backup onto a CD-R each Friday just in case I lose the paperwork or I have to reformat my PC. I can reload the backup into the program again if needed. *S*

[Dianna]

I use a composition book and number each page in descending order, 180 - 1. ( I got that idea from someone else on this website. )

My niece also does her recordkeeping in notebooks. She has lost records because of computer glitches. I don't know if she uses this specific format, but she's found that keeping records on paper (instead of the computer) has resulted in a lot less stress in her life. :smile2:

For me, keeping my records on a computer is helpful because I cut and paste as I go along for my bi-annual reports. It just makes my life a lot easier. I use a flashdrive (also known as USB Keys) to back up my data every once in a while in case my hard drive dies.

Dianna

[SChomemomof3]

I just use a normal notebook.

Oct. 3, 2005 Day 50

science: ants
math: page 56-58 in Central Math book
history: The Swindler's Secret (Underground Railroad)
reading: Rebeckah In Danger (Mayflower)
writing: pg 56 in Basic Writing skills
sign language
audiotory reading: The Growling Bear Boxcar Children

I just list what we do like that.

[duboisa]

Ok.. Here i have a problem. I started hs on jan 23, and I dont have anything like this. I have spotty planning pages for the week, the attendance and some things that i put into a portfolio, workbook pages, journal pages, papers my oldest has written etc. ( am i in trouble here )>>

[Dianna]

Ok.. Here i have a problem. I started hs on jan 23, and I dont have anything like this. I have spotty planning pages for the week, the attendance and some things that i put into a portfolio, workbook pages, journal pages, papers my oldest has written etc. ( am i in trouble here )>>

If you have a planner, then that should be fine. You just need to document what your kids are learning each week (either beforehand and check off as you go, or afterwards in a journal). Did you get a chance to read my FAQs about the difference between a planbook and a journal? If not, read through that (http://www.carolinahomeschooler.com/faq.htm) and let me know if what you're doing sounds something like what I described.

Dianna

[Lisa]

This year I started using a software program called Notebook for mac from circusponies. MS Office has the same thing. On Sundays I go through all school work and make up a daily check off list for the week. I now have a hard copy to put in a binder and also a copy on the computer. I can save my file as a pdf file so it can be read by a pc or mac. This gives my son the "thrill" of getting stuff done as he gets to check items off.

Lisa:smile2:

[duboisa]

I have office but I dont see a program called Notebook. . I will ahve to find it. my kids like to check stuff off too..