help with work samples

[gecko]

I was hoping some wonderful person on here would be able to help me with some work samples. I have to send in work samples as a prerequisite of being a registered homeschooler. (which I have recently done to gain centrelink support - previous to this we were not registered anywhere). We have always learnt naturally and bookwork is a swear word for my 2 boys, whom the government tell me are in grades 2 and 3.

My difficulty is that I have no idea what would be a suitable grade level/standard for the work. I have to provide 3 samples from 3 different subjects (no probs) that align with the QLD esential learning criteria (daunting but I can work that out) but have no idea what difficulty level it should be.
Has anyone done this that can point me in the right direction?

[Ceres]

That sounds complicated! I haven't been through the process but am happy to help if I can.

[cgull]

I've just had a little look around the Education Queensland website... Their scope and sequence link didn't work :/ ... But in the home ed faq, it says:


What criteria are used to determine whether a registration is granted?

Registration is granted following the successful presentation of documentation that shows evidence that the adapted or developed educational program or learning philosophy you intend to use with your child:


has regard to the age, ability, aptitude and development of the child concerned;
takes account and promotes continuity of the learning experiences of the child concerned;
is responsive to the changing needs of the child concerned;
reflects and takes into account current understandings related to educational and other development of children;
is responsive to the child 's need for social development;
is supported by sufficient and suitable resources;
is conducted in an environment conducive to learning.


(from http://education.qld.gov.au/homeeducation/faq-program.html#7)
to me, the bolded bits would mean the answer to your question should be: the level they're at. You're the parent, it's your job to determine what is the appropriate level for your kids to be working at, taking into account their learning styles etc. ;)


OTOH, there is a nice 'typical' scope and sequence laid out here, that I know a lot of HSers find useful:
http://www.worldbook.com/typical_course_of_study.html

[gecko]

thanks for that - most helpful :D

[Beatrice]

That "scope and sequence" list is really useful for demonstrating your unschooling "curriculum".

ETA: Thanks, cgull; I just started a new thread with that link in the Resources area :)

[Belinda]

Pffft! I know teachers who would struggle to do that. I was one of them.

Ok, I don't know anything about your LO, but personally, I would choose a piece of writing (retell, testerday we went to the shops with a picture or something equally inane) and some Maths in there - no matter what they say on the curriculum documents that's what most teachers think count. But think broadly - when teachers are showing "work samples" it can include photos with description of what is being done or reading logs (actually that's a good one - most HS I know read heaps more than any schooled child!). So if you write about your LO using money at the shops and knowing if they have enough money or whatever, that shows their capability.

For levels - I can be more specific if you tell me what learning area/task type you are going to use. I've taught year 2/3's.

The best thing my teaching degree did for me - I can take everyday events and turn them into edubabble! Woohoo!

[gecko]

thanks everyone for your replies.
the work samples had to be specific. ie relate to not only a particular subject, but to a particular essential learning criteria. AND they had to be at appropriate grade level.
I have no difficulty in describing how we learn everyday - the difficulty was deciphering all the above shyte to hand in something that was deemed acceptable.
I enlisted the help of a former teacher (still registered but hasn't taught except for the odd fill in for 3 yrs) who was going through the same process. she didn't understand it. I had to end up working it out and explaining it to her and then we organised ourselves together.
all done and dusted - sent in and waiting for letter back. It is the final hurdle. sigh.

[Beatrice]

That's insane that they specify that the work samples have to be at a particular level. If the told classroom teachers they had to demonstrate that every single child was at the same level they'd be shit out of luck.

[Ceres]

Would you be happy to share the samples here? It would be great to add to our resources. Just blot out the identifying bits :)

[gecko]

sure - I did them up in a programme called start write. I'll see if I can convert them to a PDF and do I just upload them to here or send them to someone? I did exactly the same for the two boys - grade "2" and "3" respectfully because the learning essentials are grouped together like that. I just made the grade 3 math slightly different numbers ? harder - not really. but got word back today that they are fine.
Ps they had to have the boys own had writing on them.

[gecko]

no - won't convert to PDF - and I don't have a scanner at the moment. so best I can do is print them off and send them to somebody. will that surfice?

[Ceres]

Upload them here would be great, thankyou!
ETA.. cross posted.. don't worry if it's too much of a hassle, but if you want to post them here PM me for your address.

[gecko]

as soon as my new living circumstances are sorted I am buying a new scanner, will scan them, PDF them and upload them. It is only 3 worksheets, but every semester I have to give a sample so will do the same when I do them.