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Dear Homeschooling Parent
I have decided to write a guide to assist new homeschooling families find their way through the percieved difficult task of registering their children with the relevant authorities in your State.
As the methods for registering vary for each State I highly recommend that you send for, or download the correct forms for carrying out this process in your particular State.
State Home Education authorities:
Some Helpful notes:
Once you have read through this information it is important not to become overwhelmed, this is a relatively painless experience once you can provide them with the necessary information. You may be required to submit your teaching plan for each of the Key Learning Areas for the coming year, prepare for an interview/meeting with a Moderator. Some States require more or less than others, but the fact remains that this curriculum has satisfied homeschooling families in all States and Territories of Australia who have successfully navigated this event and enjoyed the success in doing so.
Here are a couple of samples to give you some ideas for writing your submission. Obviously each child is different and your education style may vary but it is more to give you the idea of what is suitable to submit. Include your particular style of learning as this paints a picture of how your will provide your child with a good level of education under your care.
Sample of English Reporting for Registration
This year I intend to use “The English Workbook – Developing Literacy
My son/daughter will work to a Grade/Year _ level this year/remainder of this year.
I am anticipating plenty of opportunities for X to develop writing techniques whilst working on important English skills of vocabulary, use of dictionary, spelling and grammar.
X is a fluent/independent/developing reader and I will provide them with plenty of skill and age appropriate books to develop their love of reading. We will use our own extensive home library along with the local library and provide a reward of a new book of his/her choosing at the end of each unit in our curriculum.
X needs to revise some areas of grammar skills and so I will use Active Grammar Book 3 until I feel that a proficient level is achieved according to his/her year level.
We will use a phonics approach to spelling, New Wave Spelling will provide us with appropriate spelling list to work on each week.
Alongside his/her workbook style learning, we will provide plenty of opportunities for a variety of writing skills. This will be in the form of letters and cards to family members, emails, recipes, procedures and instructions on safety around the home, personal “to-do” lists etc.
As my child has already developed many skills in using computers and software packages we will be encouraging X to keep an online diary of their finished work and projects. This will be in the form of a basic web page/blog, we will provide support in this area.
To encourage free writing we will be using the Writing Journal which will require X to write on a given subject with prompting questions to improve their sequencing and paragraphs. This is a fixed amount of work, A5 in size, so this remains as an enjoyable and manageable task particularly when his/her motivation varies.
We intend to utilise the local library and our local homeschool group, scouts etc. to further enhance a greater understanding and opportunities to put to practice many of the skills learned throughout the year.
Sample of Science Reporting for Registration.
X shows great interest and ability in studying science. We are using Primary Science Book F and my child will be working at a Year 6 level this year.
Units of study this year will be covered by attempting two units per term.
Term 1 The Human Body and Flowering Plants
Term 2 Space and Conservation
Term 3 Structures and Fibres, Mystery powders
Term 4 Light and Animation, Simple Machines.
This planning allows X plenty of time to explore the unit to the extent of their interests. This also allows plenty of extension time to integrate other subjects alongside studying science this year.
In keeping with X’s learning style, these units will be covered using notebooking and lapbooking methods, particularly for units: Flowering Plants and the Human Body (notebooking) and Mystery Powders, Structures and Fibres (lapbooking).
This also provides X with ample opportunities to display scientific concepts, experiments and vocabulary through art and design, incorporating technology when needed. This will be particularly needed with Light and Animation and Simple Machines. X will be given the opportunity to construct and design their own machines based on concepts learned in this unit.
Whilst covering Space and Conservation, we will make several field trips to relevant facilities and organisations within and around the city. X will keep a visual diary, records kept via photography and will conduct and record an interview with Local Council Departments on the shires plan/actions for Conservation. We will also attend the local Care for Wildlife Conservation Group for a workshop on relevant issues to this unit.
I am endeavouring to prepare my child to enter the high school curriculum at the conclusion of this year, our goal will be to refine and develop skills allowing them to move to Science The Middle Years A Contextual Approach at the start of next year.
Special Notes:
This is a sample of the type of information that the HEU / Board of studies ect are wanting to see in your submission. Make it personal to your child and family situation.
- You have stated your style of learning and identified how you feel your child learns best, i.e. their style of learning.
- You have thought about a curriculum/program to work with.
- You have clearly stated that curriculum you intend to use, including any additional resources to supplement your child’s learning.
- How you feel your child will perform at this Year/Grade, it is ok to highlight strengths and mention any areas that require closer attention or revision.
- You have a plan on how you want to implement this program. Eg, weekly spelling lists, piece/page of writing developed/completed each week, daily reading etc. This plan is to get you going – it may and probably will change many times before you settle into your way of doing things.
- You have thought of opportunities/ways to give your child practical use of skills learned – as simple as pen pal, diary, narration, read to grandparent etc
- Are there any out of home events you can visit/attend to enrich your child’s learning? Library, Museums, Local Council Events, Scouts/Brigades, Shopping, Cultural Events, Special Days etc
- How you have provided opportunities for your child to participate in extra curricular activities. Make use of any home school groups and outings in your area, sporting groups, church activities, scouts/brigades/guides. Music tuition. Don’t forget to mention just play opportunities to meet and relate with other children – they like to hear this explained.
I always suggest to keep this conversational, it comes across natural, confident and relaxed. This gives a great impression that you have given suitable thought to and are confident to provide your child with sufficient support in their education.
Natural learning is a very valid method of educating your children. Although home educating families subscribe to many different styles of learning and educating, it is encouraging to remind our selves of the things we do well. From birth we have been involved in our children’s learning. Feeding, clothing, caring for themselves were among the basics but none the less important milestones to get them to where they are today. We also have the opportunities to teach them to read, write and set them on a course of learning for the rest of their lives.
Separate to the “bookwork” style of learning, remember to take all the opportunities that present themselves to allow your children to explore some of the units and subjects through their interests, passions, art and creative learning.
If you require any further support in filling out these forms, please feel free to contact me. Questions are important and there are no silly questions, sometimes it is just nice to bounce some ideas off someone else and hear yourself think out loud. I am more than happy to receive your emails and questions.
Kind regards
Tracy Kelly
Homeschool Solutions
ph 0755788947
mob 0407616788
