So, last year, I took a week and gave the kids the Iowa Test of Basic Skills. I blogged about it. It went very smoothly. They were happy and comfortable and got lots of breaks. It was hard not to help them with anything, but I followed the rules. I was pleased with how it went. I used Seton Testing Company, and they were great to work with, and I was able to view the boys' results online soon after returning the test.
This year, we still had a good experience with Seton, but administering the test was a nightmare. It was totally different with a baby in the house. It took a very long time to give all sections to both children, especially because Bug was taking the 2nd grade version, so I couldn't test them at the same time.
Next year, they will be testing at our coop, which will cost slightly more, but I think it will be worth it. This will give them practice testing in a group setting. And I won't have to work around a busy toddler's schedule.
Friday, June 17, 2016
Looking for Planning System
So, I am in the process of searching for a homeschool planning system for this year. There are certain things that I want us to stay accountable for.
I've read lots of homeschool blog entries about how many great options there are out there. Well, I consider myself to be a pretty tech-savvy person, and I have to say, that I don't think the options out there are that great. My only theory about the good reviews is that a lot of people receive free software in exchange for writing positive product reviews and positive blog posts.
I've tried two of the more expensive programs: Homeschool Planet and Homeschool Tracker, and I have to say that I found them both to be clunky, dated, and nonintuitive. I'm just not impressed and not willing to invest my time or money in either of these.
I've tried a number of free planners out there and other free trials for paid software and have not been especially impressed either.
The best thing I've found so far, I think, is not a software. It is the free planner available at The Homeschool Mom. It has PDF's that you print out. There are a lot of good pages there to print. I can make it "digital" by taking a picture of each week and sending it electronically to my kids. I am interested in both the weekly assignments for the 8 months of the year that I plan to give them, as well as the unschooling record, for the 4 months of the year where I don't plan to give assignments.
I've read lots of homeschool blog entries about how many great options there are out there. Well, I consider myself to be a pretty tech-savvy person, and I have to say, that I don't think the options out there are that great. My only theory about the good reviews is that a lot of people receive free software in exchange for writing positive product reviews and positive blog posts.
I've tried two of the more expensive programs: Homeschool Planet and Homeschool Tracker, and I have to say that I found them both to be clunky, dated, and nonintuitive. I'm just not impressed and not willing to invest my time or money in either of these.
I've tried a number of free planners out there and other free trials for paid software and have not been especially impressed either.
The best thing I've found so far, I think, is not a software. It is the free planner available at The Homeschool Mom. It has PDF's that you print out. There are a lot of good pages there to print. I can make it "digital" by taking a picture of each week and sending it electronically to my kids. I am interested in both the weekly assignments for the 8 months of the year that I plan to give them, as well as the unschooling record, for the 4 months of the year where I don't plan to give assignments.
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