RIF/Target Summer Reading Challenge
We participated last year & got nice certificate & great prizes. This is a “real” simple program compared to the library & B&N (which both are great too).
Welcome to the RIF/Target Summer Reading Challenge! Make reading a part of summertime fun for a chance to win a Target GiftCard (limited quantity available see official rules for details). Kids ages 5-15 can participate between May 1 and August 11, 2006 by meeting the reading goals below:
- 5-7 year olds must read 5 hours or more during the summer
- 8-10 year olds must read 7 hours
- 11-12 year olds must read 10 hours
- 13-15 year olds must read 15 hours
Testing options beyond FLO
[Posted to the HELP board on Monday, April 24, 2006]
So, I came home ready to test my kindergartener, as I reminded everyone at the last meeting, that tests are not available for some grades, so it’s best to order asap.
Anyways, Gr. K is not available until June 19th. As we’re ready to test and I want to send my notifications asap, I had to find other options.
Only to find that 2 other homeschool testing administrations are NO longer offering tests for 2006! One cost $50, the other $54 per test.
So, FLO is $35, with time-restraint that you have to return a completed test in 2-weeks. scoring May take 1-3 weeks. http://www.familylearning.org/index.html {most grades have a 6-8 weeks waiting period}
I just called and ordered mine from Seton Home Study: http://www.setonhome.org/testing/default.php
OR
http://www.setonhome.org/ and go to “Standardize Testing”
Here are the PROS to Seton:
- ALL grades are presently available, and INstock; goes out in mail 24-hours within order.
- $25 ($10 cheaper).
- There’s no time-restraint. As testing is year-round, you (the parent) get the test, take as short or long as you want. There’s no “checking in” process. They use the honor-system. All tests received are immediately scored, materials need to be sent back to be scored. They have 100% success rate.
- Test scoring takes average 24-48-hours, they score everyone onsite. Gr. K- 3rd by hand, 4-12 computer.
So, I had to ask: “How?” Seton have been doing this for over 15 years, they reuse “usable” test and instruction booklets. To save in costs, and “hey: I’m all for recycling!”.
While their curriculum is Catholic-focused, its separate from their testing services. Testing must be secular, confidential, and strictly between client (parent-adminstrator) and themselves. No records are tallied or shared with anyone.
I’ve already called them three times with questions. They have easy-secured online ordering…and obviously, great customer service!
Peace everyone!
~ Ponn
PS. Can you tell…I have limited “patience”?? Hee hee…hmm…amazingly I married into “patience”…yeah, right 
“Sabra = Patience”.
PPS. I ordered on Monday, received on Thursday. We started testing yesterday, 2 tests a day. We completed 2 more today & will be done tomorrow. [May 2, 2006]
HELP Music COOP’s debut at the nursing home
Wednesday, April 12th, our (HELP’s) Music COOP lead a Sing-Along at the SunsetVillage nursing home. 7 families were led by an accompanyingguitarist (a homeschool dad). We prepared beautiful bright-greensong-folders for each family and the guests, and sang for ~20 mins.Then, we mingled and shared ice cream with the guests from their IceCream Sweet-Shop.
The word on our boards is the kids had a blast!We meet bi-weekly on Wednesdays at one of the libraries at 1pm. Ifanyone is interested in joining us, the yahoogroup is:http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MusicCoop/
Our next “appearance” will be during June’s Expo.
Peace.
PS. My girls were proud all night! They told our neighbors, andcalled grandparents just to say they sang for the “old &sick”…they haven’t caught a hold of the word “elderly”, yet.Remember, my eldest is 5.5 years old.
PPS. It was a non-threatening-peaceful environment. My girls didn’tfeel like it was a “show”, it was just a bunch of friends, singing-along, and sharing this joy with others.
PPPS. We never had cinnamon-crunch ice cream either…it was so yummy! Another added bonus
HELP Homeschool Student Expo updates
Homeschool Student Expo Update (Year-end science fair, art display & talent show)
Thursday, June 8, 2006 Sanger Branch Library
Set-up 3:00 – 4:00pm
Display 4:00 – 4:30pm
Talent Show 4:30 – 5;00pm
Display 5:00 – 5:30pm
Clean-up 5:30 – 6:00pm
Interested in participating? Please email me with your State child(ren)’s name, age and whether s/hewill be hosting a display (science fair, arts & crafts, history,writing samples, etc.) and/or sharing his/her Talent (singing,dancing, slide show, etc.). Computer, TV/VCR access is available.Light refreshments, coffee and juice will be provided byparticipating families. Volunteer parents welcomed.
April HELP Assessment, Notifications & Testing meeting
Notifications, Testing & Assessments Notifications:
• Sample notification form, based on state of Ohio statutes,is available in the HELP Resource Guide, available at most Toledo-Lucas County Public Library Branches. It is not available for rental. All forms are available for you to Xerox copy.
• WorldBook.com Typical Course of Study can be used as an addendum/general outline: http://www.worldbook.com/wc/browse?id=pa/tcsAs a source of information, World Book offers the results of ongoingresearch into curriculum requirements and standards. The learninglevels include preschool through grade 12. Naturally, there areregional and local variations that cannot be accounted for in everydetail. But the typical course of study reflects general curriculumrequirements across North America. The information is categorized bygrade level and general skill type or discipline
• Tip: to save a stamp, send following year’s notification and previous years test scores or signed assessment to the superintendent at the same time. Certify the letter for your records.
Testing:
• Family Learning Organization offers standardized tests for homeschooling families California Achievement Test, Fifth Edition – Complete Batteryhttp://www.familylearning.org/testing.htmlWhen you order a CAT, you will receive the test booklet, the answer form and complete instructions. You have two weeks to administer the tests before returning them to us. We will score the answer form and send you a report for each test. This scoring process may take from1 to 3 weeks, depending on volume of orders being received. Each test & scoring costs $35. Some grades are not presently available,with a 6-8 week waiting period.
• Seton Home Study School California Achievement Test, Fifth Edition – Complete Batteryhttp://www.setonhome.org/testing/default.phpOnly $25 each for test and scoring. Administer at home, at your convenience. No administration time restraint. A year-round service.Quick results; Test scored and returned usually in two weeks (Hand &computer testing completed on site). Spring, Fall and Winter norms.Easy to administer; Full instructions included. Available for Grades K-12 (all grades presently available).
Assessment:
• Formal format (Highly organized)The Basic Edition of Homeschool Tracker is free downloadable software known as “the solution for all your homeschool recordkeeping needs”, has the following features:• Basic Edition Never Expires• Easy Setup• Track Attendance and Hours• Manage, Copy and Reschedule Assignments• Track Resources• Generate Reports• Upgrade to PLUS at any time Available at: http://www.tghomesoft.com/tracker_basic.aspxThese reports organizes the assessment portfolio for the homeschool child, parent & assessor by subjects, grades (such as report cards),and number of hours recorded.
• In-between format (Moderately organized)
Portfolio has samples of a child’s academic progress in each subject but not necessarily categorized by subjects. Parent journals hours,and progress reports. Extraneous handouts, certificates of achievements, awards, projects etc. or child presentations can be shared.
• Informal format (Unschooling-type, legal minimum)
A box of different projects, arts, crafts, or presentations with or without subject outlines may be shared. Students and parents share what they feel are appropriate for their child’s advancement for the year.
