I'm going through this year's work and trying to figure out what to do. I'm thinking I'm going to scan in papers and take pictures of bigger things and save it on the computer- backed up of course. I was thinking of doing a folder for each school year and divide that up into sub-folders- if that makes sense. My problem is how to figure out what to scan in and save and what to just get rid of? What about workbooks? She completed several full workbooks. Should I save hardcopies or just get rid of them? Help!
I keep all test pages, quizzes, attendance records, curriculum summaries, affidavit copies, some workbooks, and expandable folders with her assignments in them. That would include writing assignments and projects. Everything else I toss or sell. There is too much to keep. As long as I have proof to show what she is learning or what she has covered, then I am fine with getting rid of everything else. I do not scan anything on the computer but store it in a small box in the rafters. It takes up little space and I have physical evidence of her work. I do keep the current school years info on the computer but print what needs printing at the end of the year to add to the folder.
I have a plan similar for next year. I have a blog set up and I will scan worksheets and take pics of projects as we go along and post them to the blog. But I will keep some hard copies too. But I want an online record in case of a fire or something that could destroy the hard copies. (I'm terrified of house fire since my in-laws house burnt ot the ground a couple of years ago) For what to keep, we'll go through each month's work. I'll pick some things and they will pick some things to keep. The rest we'll chunk. I plan to pick some bad and good, to show progress. And they can pick their favorites as well that they are proud of, after all, it is THEIR work.... Then I'll write an end of year evaluation and I'll have them fill out a self assessment form. That will be our yearly portfolio.
Most of the paperwork I've collected in the last 11 years of hs'ing is now being recycled...into my garden!!! I have a garden with a layer of mulched leaves, straw, and shredded paper. I decided all those old math and language pages would do better off helping my garden grow. Oh, and you know thst 1000+ Rainbow Resource Catalog? Well, this summer when I eat fresh peas and beans, I'll be thanking RR, lol!
I'll keep everything for 2 years. If we ever move (or heaven forbid! have to send them to a "real school" ... LOL!), I want proof of what we've done and what level we're on. Each year, I'll take pix of the art projects and such, and then throw away the 3 year old stuff. I'll probably scan anything that really stands out in my mind (like handwriting improvement from beginning to end of year!!).
LOL! We used some old teacher guides for our papier-mâché croc we made last year. They do come in handy.
I toss it at the end of the year. Well I keep a few keep sakes just like I would if he was in ps. Other than that they are gone at the end of the year. My little guy likes this part! If figure why keep all this paper no one will ever want to see. I keep a record of what we used, when we used it, the date the lesson was done, and the score all in my planner book. I keep a few notes here and there. I figure this is proof enough and the fact my child is a rocket scientist don't you know. LOL No, but really there is really no need unless you are required by state law.
