This is the online portion of Caitlin's grade 7 Homeschool portfolio. Physical samples will accompany us to the actual evaluation on August 3rd. This will be a general outline of websites, books, and other curriculum used for each subject. Please note for the purposes of life skills, I was very ill in December and January, which led to a lot of life learning. She did Gymnastics for part of the school year, with Tumblemania, then decided to do the Spring drama play, Madagascar. She participated in the Kiwis youth choir at our church, for the full school year, and did several performances in front of church audience, I did grade random samplings of Reading, Writing and Math.
1. Language Arts: Spectrum Grade 7 work book, 100% completed. Then switched to Grade 8 Language Arts Lifepac, 4 books completed. For the purpose of Language Arts, Caitlin also had writing assignments throughout the school year. Some of them were published to her blog at, https://kateandbiscuit.blogspot.com/ We read the first book of Anne of Green Gables, with a book report, and she watched the movie. We are currently still reading Gentle Ben. To evaluate her reading comprehension, I used the STAR website. She did 12 passages with questions, and got 4 wrong answers out of the 12, for a mastery of 67%. Not a great grade, but with such a small sampling, should be considered. We reviewed all wrong answers, and she was able to pick the correct answer the second time around of reading, with the exception of only one question. I did not give her any clues or prompts, just told her she picked the wrong answer, and to reread and try again. I chose grade 7, proficient level.
2. History: Caitlin's least favorite subject next to Math. We started with Alpha Omega Lifepac, Grade 8 work books, 5 books completed. We then switched to watching History videos on PBS. They have an extensive library of grade appropriate resources. She liked the videos, with convos, and or writing assignment much better. We also had some fun with Geography where I twirled the globe, and with her eyes closed picked a spot on the globe. Wherever her finger landed, she did a little research and then a writing assignment. Again, these can be read on her blog. History in grade 8 will be cooking across America. She will be learning to cook recipes that are famous to each state, with Geography included. I am not thinking she will cook everyday, but we will see.
3. Math: Caitlin started the year with Saxon 7/6, and finished 34 lessons, with review and corrections for lessons. After the winter break we switched to an online format, her preference, Easy Peasy Homeschool Middle School Math. She has shown very good progress using this format, and we will continue to work through it over the Summer months, and start it back up in the Fall, for grade 8. If she completes all lessons, she will start over and do the harder lessons that she was not quite ready for in grade 7. As of 8/7/17 she had finished up to Fractions #16. Throughout the year I also print off small tests for her to take. I graded them all and she ended up with an 84% for a final Math grade, for grade 7.
4. Science: Alpha Omega Lifepac work books, grade 8. Caitlin was able to whiz through these without much challenge. I have not completely reviewed them yet for accuracy. and I probably will not. # of books completed 9 . Science is not one of the classes I worry about in the middle school years. We also did some fun experiments, and you can read about them in older posts on this blog.
5. Bible: Alpha Omega Lifepac work books, grade 8. Caitlin was able to work through these pretty quickly, 7 books completed. She also throughout the school year, at various times, assisted with Awanis program at church, and Sunday school. This was her first year in the teen youth group, and made a couple new friends. She is looking forward to attending camp next year, with the group in SC. She sang in the Kiwis choir, and she could join the youth praise band if she chooses to do so. So far she has not been interested.
Caitlin has one more year of fun homeschooling, and then she will have to get more serious about her education when she hits high school. She has a goal of taking French, she did some Spanish in grade 6 and 7. She has a few ideas for high school, with goals of pet groomer/walker concentration on having her own business, and or a Meteorologist. She will be doing a half year of Weather studies, and experiments in grade 8 to better focus on this topic, and if it is something she would wish to pursue. I think for Math I will add in a little Business Math in grade 8, for her as well as above stated curriculum, so she will get a feel for keeping track of books in a business. Over all she had a very good year. Did a lot of grade 8 work, though I don't think it was challenging, or even very interesting. She is more of a visual, and hands on learner, and really did not enjoy a work books only style of learning. She still struggles with the 5 paragraph method of Writing, and will definitely continue to work on that. Caitlin does not have much motivation to write correctly, especially on paper. As far as socialization skills, and exercise, she did great this year. Drama, and Gymnastics were great choices for her, and was able to make lots of new friends. One of her good friends moved away this year, but we are trying very hard to make sure they stay in touch. She still participates in 4H, and did her first demonstration this year, with a friend. They did a get a blue ribbon. Unfortunately her bunny passed away, but he was 9, and dearly loved. I am currently looking for a more fun, and relaxed Writing curriculum for grade 8. I would love suggestions. At this point, I love affordable, but will pay for a good, honestly fun program. Caitlin will also be doing Health class in 8th grade, as she has had some important milestones this year.
1. Language Arts: Spectrum Grade 7 work book, 100% completed. Then switched to Grade 8 Language Arts Lifepac, 4 books completed. For the purpose of Language Arts, Caitlin also had writing assignments throughout the school year. Some of them were published to her blog at, https://kateandbiscuit.blogspot.com/ We read the first book of Anne of Green Gables, with a book report, and she watched the movie. We are currently still reading Gentle Ben. To evaluate her reading comprehension, I used the STAR website. She did 12 passages with questions, and got 4 wrong answers out of the 12, for a mastery of 67%. Not a great grade, but with such a small sampling, should be considered. We reviewed all wrong answers, and she was able to pick the correct answer the second time around of reading, with the exception of only one question. I did not give her any clues or prompts, just told her she picked the wrong answer, and to reread and try again. I chose grade 7, proficient level.
2. History: Caitlin's least favorite subject next to Math. We started with Alpha Omega Lifepac, Grade 8 work books, 5 books completed. We then switched to watching History videos on PBS. They have an extensive library of grade appropriate resources. She liked the videos, with convos, and or writing assignment much better. We also had some fun with Geography where I twirled the globe, and with her eyes closed picked a spot on the globe. Wherever her finger landed, she did a little research and then a writing assignment. Again, these can be read on her blog. History in grade 8 will be cooking across America. She will be learning to cook recipes that are famous to each state, with Geography included. I am not thinking she will cook everyday, but we will see.
3. Math: Caitlin started the year with Saxon 7/6, and finished 34 lessons, with review and corrections for lessons. After the winter break we switched to an online format, her preference, Easy Peasy Homeschool Middle School Math. She has shown very good progress using this format, and we will continue to work through it over the Summer months, and start it back up in the Fall, for grade 8. If she completes all lessons, she will start over and do the harder lessons that she was not quite ready for in grade 7. As of 8/7/17 she had finished up to Fractions #16. Throughout the year I also print off small tests for her to take. I graded them all and she ended up with an 84% for a final Math grade, for grade 7.
4. Science: Alpha Omega Lifepac work books, grade 8. Caitlin was able to whiz through these without much challenge. I have not completely reviewed them yet for accuracy. and I probably will not. # of books completed 9 . Science is not one of the classes I worry about in the middle school years. We also did some fun experiments, and you can read about them in older posts on this blog.
5. Bible: Alpha Omega Lifepac work books, grade 8. Caitlin was able to work through these pretty quickly, 7 books completed. She also throughout the school year, at various times, assisted with Awanis program at church, and Sunday school. This was her first year in the teen youth group, and made a couple new friends. She is looking forward to attending camp next year, with the group in SC. She sang in the Kiwis choir, and she could join the youth praise band if she chooses to do so. So far she has not been interested.
Caitlin has one more year of fun homeschooling, and then she will have to get more serious about her education when she hits high school. She has a goal of taking French, she did some Spanish in grade 6 and 7. She has a few ideas for high school, with goals of pet groomer/walker concentration on having her own business, and or a Meteorologist. She will be doing a half year of Weather studies, and experiments in grade 8 to better focus on this topic, and if it is something she would wish to pursue. I think for Math I will add in a little Business Math in grade 8, for her as well as above stated curriculum, so she will get a feel for keeping track of books in a business. Over all she had a very good year. Did a lot of grade 8 work, though I don't think it was challenging, or even very interesting. She is more of a visual, and hands on learner, and really did not enjoy a work books only style of learning. She still struggles with the 5 paragraph method of Writing, and will definitely continue to work on that. Caitlin does not have much motivation to write correctly, especially on paper. As far as socialization skills, and exercise, she did great this year. Drama, and Gymnastics were great choices for her, and was able to make lots of new friends. One of her good friends moved away this year, but we are trying very hard to make sure they stay in touch. She still participates in 4H, and did her first demonstration this year, with a friend. They did a get a blue ribbon. Unfortunately her bunny passed away, but he was 9, and dearly loved. I am currently looking for a more fun, and relaxed Writing curriculum for grade 8. I would love suggestions. At this point, I love affordable, but will pay for a good, honestly fun program. Caitlin will also be doing Health class in 8th grade, as she has had some important milestones this year.
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