Portfolios preserve homeschool achievements

One difference between homeschooling and public schooling is that homeschoolers tend not to amass the stacks of paper that public schools seem to thrive on. This is both good and bad: good in that you don't have piles of paper hanging around because you have not wasted your child's time with mind-numbingly repetitive exercises; bad in that you don't have the ongoing record of your child's milestones. Rather than keeping a gradebook or a folder crammed with every project ever done, parents should consider helping their children build a portfolio. A portfolio is different from a simple record in that it is a collection of only your child's best work that can serve as a showpiece for his talents. Think of it as your child's gallery that can grow and change as he does. As your child gets older, a portfolio may prove useful in getting admitted to certain academic programs or even in getting a job. You might want to make a portfolio for each subject. Don't use just any old folder. Splurge a bit and get something with a nice, durable cover that reflects the contents and your child's personality. The older your child is, the more you should consider a "professional" style cover, as the portfolio may be shown outside the family. The folder should be expandable as your child adds more of his best work. A three-ring binder is ideal. If it is an art portfolio, you will want pages that will allow you to mount artwork without damaging it. Center the art on each page to keep a clean look. Be sure everything is dated discreetly so you can see your child's progress. Put your child's name on the cover with a label that you design in Photoshop or another graphics software. For a touch of upgraded class, you could use an engraved nameplate. Done right, a portfolio can not only be a family record but a useful tool for your growing child.