Homeschool Evaluations and Assessments

It's that time!

It's officially Spring and the end of the school year is quickly approaching. Homeschooling families should be preparing for annual evaluations and/or assessments, which must be completed by a certified teacher and submitted to the superintendent of schools. Avenue Education is here to help!

What are the requirements?

According the Florida Department of Education, Statute 1002.41 states that homeschooling parents are responsible for providing one of the following five options:

Portfolio review by a Florida certified teacher ***
Nationally-normed student achievement test administered by a certified teacher ***
State assessment administered at a district testing location
Evaluation by a licensed psychologist
Other measurement tool agreed upon by the superintendent

*** Service available from Avenue Education. Contact us today for prices and availability!

How do I prepare for a portfolio evaluation?

A great student portfolio should always include authentic work samples which display the depth and breadth of learning that has taken place during the year. In addition, an evaluator will be looking for evidence of "sequentially progressive instruction." This simply means that you have given instruction in an organized and methodical manner, which moves the student through new content and skill levels. An excellent way to show proof of this is to save curriculum materials such as workbooks, tests, and other materials that will demonstrate the order and structure of your instruction.

Date everything! Every item, from workbook pages to posters, should show the date of completion. Work samples should illustrate the progress your child has made over the course of the year. A great strategy is to write in the table of contents of workbooks the dates that each section was covered. Parents can also use a calendar or agenda to record what topics or chapters were covered each day/week.

If your child has special needs, it is also important to keep track of what kinds of accommodations and levels of support you have given. For example: Did your child write his/her essay totally independently? Did you help them with spelling only? Did you type it for them as they dictated to you? This is relevant information because you want to accurately convey to the evaluator what your child is capable of doing.

What standardized assessments are available?

The Iowa Test of Basic Skills (ITBS) is a norm-referenced achievement test which must be administered by a certified teacher. It is commonly used as an alternative to the state assessments. This test takes a total of about 4 hours, which is broken up into many smaller sections. The test covers Language Skills and Mathematics, as well as optional Science and Social Studies sections. The materials are received and returned securely by mail. If you are interested in this option please notify your evaluator at least 30 days in advance to allow time for the materials to be ordered and shipped.

If you have any questions about homeschool evaluations and/or assessments, please contact Avenue Education. We will be more than happy to help you decide which option is best for your child.

#homeschool #home-school #evaluator #homeschoolevaluation #homeschoolassessment #ITBS #Iowatest #portfolioevaluation #portfolioassessment #standardizedassessment

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Educational Holiday Gift Ideas

Do you need to buy a gift for that special little person in your life? Do you want to get them something that they will not only love, but will also support their learning and development the whole year through? The following list includes fun games and toys that will pique children's curiosity and foster their thinking skills. The items are categorized by subject area so you can find a gift that will match your child's learning needs or interests. That perfect educational gift could provide the spark to inspire a potential career path one day!

Happy Holidays!

Physical Science and Engineering

If your child loves to build, tinker, and experiment... these gifts will help stimulate STEM skills for the future.

Natural Science

If your child loves animals and nature... these gifts will enhance skills of observation and classification.

Social Studies and Geography

If your child loves travel and learning about far away places... these gifts will expand their horizons and test their knowledge.

Little Passports

Monthly Subscription starting at $13.95 per month http://www.littlepassports.com/buy

Mathematics

If your child loves numbers and measurement, or needs to practice their math facts... these gifts make learning math fun!

Reading and Language Arts

If your child is a budding reader... these games will enhance vocabulary and comprehension skills.

#educationalproducts #educationaltoys #educationalgames #holidaygifts #sciencetoys #mathtoys #readinggames #geographytoys #learningtoys #STEMtoys #STEMlearning #STEMproducts #STEMeducation

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Not Too Spooky: Halloween Books for Young Children

Ashley Day-Bohn, M.Ed.

Looking for seasonal books to tap into your kids' excitement over Halloween? Here are some of my favorite selections which are fun and entertaining, but also have educational value for your little ones. Order from Amazon now and they can still arrive in time for the holiday! For information on books for older children, read my last article, "Why Every Kid Shouldn't Read Harry Potter: Tips for Matching Reading Level, Interest, and Maturity".

The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything

by Linda Williams

This book makes for a great read-aloud. There is a degree of mystery and suspense which will captivate children's imaginations. The repetitive pattern of the text encourages children to participate in the storytelling and predict what will come next. Kids can engage multiple senses by acting out the sights and sounds such as clomping boots or clapping gloves.

Bat Loves the Night

Nicola Davies

Written by an actual zoologist, this book contains many real facts about bats. Children who love animals will be interested to learn how bats fly, find food, and take care of their babies. Seeing things from the bat's point-of-view makes the animal seem much less scary and much more amazing. The author does a great job of describing advanced concepts like echo-location in kid-friendly language.

The Runaway Pumpkin

By Kevin Lewis

This lively tale with have your children laughing as the Baxter family's Halloween is totally disrupted by a giant pumpkin rolling downhill. The author's use of rhythm and alliteration really bring this story to life; and may have you tongue tied. Kids will experience how fun language can be, as the words literally bounce and roll across the page. There's also discussion of all the delicious foods that can be made from pumpkin!

Ten Timid Ghosts

By Jennifer O'Connell

This entertaining book will help children practice counting backwards from ten. It has a similar structure to the classic, "Five Little Monkeys." With each page turn, the witch finds a different way to chase another ghost out of the house. Kids love the intricate illustrations and funny tricks throughout the story. The rhyming text and predictable pattern will make young children want to read this book over and over.

Pumpkin Jack

By Will Hubbell

Kids will learn lessons about letting go and about the circle of life in this unconventional story. It starts with a boy carving a jack-o-lantern for Halloween, but later he must put it out in the garden as it begins to rot. The boys observes how the pumpkin changes as it decomposes. Finally, new plants begin to grow where his pumpkin once sat.

#halloween #youngchildren #halloweenbooks #popularkidsbooks #childrensliterature #childrensbooks #earlyliteracy #readaloud #seasonalbooks #educationalproducts #pumpkins #bats #ghosts #rhymingbooks #countingbooks #sciencebooks

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Why Shouldn't Every Kid Read Harry Potter?

Tips for Matching Reading Level, Interest, and Maturity

by Ashley Day-Bohn, M.Ed.

A common dilemma occurs when readability level of a book is not a good match for your child’s interest or maturity level. This is often the case when a child reads significantly ABOVE or BELOW their current grade level. As I discussed in my last post, matching reading materials to your child's reading level is crucial to the learning process and their development as readers.

BELOW level books can have often have immature or simplistic content, causing the reader to lose interest. For example, a 9 year boy old who reads on first grade level may not want to read Clifford the Big Red Dog, even though it's wonderful book and a good match for his reading abilities. He may become discouraged from reading if he is not given choices that suit his preferences and maturity level.

On the other hand, ABOVE level text may have overly mature content. Many high level readers in elementary school are eager to delve into popular series such as Harry Potter, The Hunger Games, or Twilight. Just because a child can handle the text complexity, does not necessarily mean you want them to be exposed to mature, violent, or downright scary content. Although there are many redeeming qualities to the literature, there are reasons why some of the movies have been rated PG-13. Often books can be even more vivid than movies in their descriptions of violent or sexual scenes.

Do Your Homework

This is where you come in! As an informed parent, it is important to monitor the content of your children's reading materials. Make sure books are appropriate for your their ages and interests, just as you would with television or movies. You don't have to read the whole book first, since websites like Common Sense Media provide parent guides and ratings for most popular books, movies, and video games. They let you know how much violence, language, sex, or drug use is portrayed, with detailed descriptions of each. They also suggest discussion topics for you to help your child process mature themes. You know your child best, so you can decide whether they are ready for these conversations.

Did you know? Unlike most other children's book series, the Harry Potter series increases the reading level and maturity level with each book. The first book, "The Sorcerer's Stone," has a reading level of 5.5 (mid-fifth grade) and maturity level of 8 years old. The latest books are leveled around 7th grade reading level and maturity levels are about 12+ years old. Just because your child enjoyed the first book, does not necessarily mean they can or should read the entire series without proper guidance.

High Quality Above Level Books

If you'd like some alternatives for your advanced young readers (who may have already enjoyed Harry Potter), look for complex stories and challenging vocabulary, without excessive violence or adult themes. The authors, Lemony Snicket or Roald Dahl, are always great choices, especially for kids with a keen sense of humor and adventure. For girls, depending on their interests – Secret Garden, Island of the Blue Dolphins, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, or Anne of Green Gables. For boys – Treasure Island, Hatchet, Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of Nimh, or The Magic Tollbooth.

High Interest Below Level Books

If you need to purchase low reading level books, look for books that have easier text, but appeal to your child's interests. I would recommend Step Into Reading books. These have a great selection of high interest and low readability books (leveled from Pre-K to 4th grade). They take popular stories with some of kids' favorite characters and present them in a simplified text format. DK Readers are especially great for boys, which feature interesting nonfiction, as well as the beloved Star Wars and Lego/Super Hero themed books.

For more information on identifying your child's reading level and judging if a book is a good match, read my other post: Your Child's Reading Level Explained

#Harrypotter #abovelevelbooks #belowlevelbooks #parentalguidance #scarybooks #readinglevel #challengingbooks #childrensliterature #childrensbooks #hungergames #twilightbooks #hungergamesbooks #harrypotterbooks

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Your Child's Reading Level Explained

Your Child’s Reading Level Explained

Ashley Day-Bohn, M.Ed.

How is reading level measured?

There are several common assessments used to measure a child’s reading level, such as the Developmental Reading Assessment (DRA), which is typically administered one-on-one with a teacher. Another popular leveling system is the The Lexile Reading Framework, which is usually assessed on the computer. Both types of tests will give you a numerical score which identifies your child’s reading fluency (speed and accuracy of decoding the text) and comprehension compared to grade level expectations.

If your child attends school and you are not sure of his or her reading level, contact the classroom teacher, who will likely have this information on file. If your child is home-schooled, you can contact a certified teacher/evaluator through Avenue Education to obtain a complete diagnostic reading assessment.

What does reading level mean?

The instructional reading level is the highest level of text your child can read without reaching the point of frustration. It is the optimal level for teaching reading concepts, since the text provides just enough challenge to introduce new concepts without overwhelming the student. Accordingly, children may need help with a few words here and there when reading text at the instructional level. This is different from the independent reading level, which involves easier text that can be read without help. The ideas of instructional and independent levels are derived from a theory of learning called the “Zone of Proximal Development” (Vygotsky, 1978). For example, a Lexile score of 500-550 represents a ZPD ranging from independent (500) to instructional (550).

How do I use reading level when buying books?

Books for your child’s home reading library should fall somewhere in that ZPD range, depending on how you plan to use them. Books that are slightly above your child’s reading level are great for reading aloud, such as for a bedtime story. Shared reading builds vocabulary and comprehension skills. Independent reading should be fun and stress-free. Scholastic.com/teachers has a great tool called the Book Wizard, which can help you find materials within their inventory according to reading level. Another excellent resource is ARBookFinder, which allows you to search the Accellerated Reader catalog to identify the approximate level of a given book you may already have in mind.

What if I don’t know the level of a book?

If you are in the library or bookstore with your child, you can use a simple trick teachers like to call, “The Five Finger Rule.” Your child reads one page from the book aloud. If you count more than five errors on one page, the book is too difficult for them to read alone. If your child makes fewer than five errors, this book is probably a good fit for independent reading. If they make no errors, the book may be too easy. This method is so simple, children can start using it to make good selections for themselves. It can teach them responsibility and self-awareness, plus save you time and frustration!

Ashley Day-Bohn, M.Ed. Founder, Avenue Education

McLeod, S. A. (2012). Zone of Proximal Development. Retrieved from www.simplypsychology.org/Zone-of-Proximal-Development.html

For more tips on choosing books for your child: "3 Simple Tips for Choosing Age-Appropriate Children’s Books"

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Leveled Reading Sets

Nonfiction

Nonfiction books support new Common Core Standards. The books below have articles written on four different reading levels! They include comprehension questions for each article.

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It’s never too early to begin instilling literacy skills and a love for reading books!

Reading aloud is one of the most powerful ways you can impact a child’s language development and future academic success. The following link provides a guide to early literacy milestones starting from 6 months on up to kindergarten. The chart includes what to look for as you observe your child’s behavior and what you can do to support his or her interactions with literature. http://www.reachoutandread.org/FileRepository/RORmilestones_English.pdf

This information is provided by a lovely organization called “Reach Out and Read.” They engage pediatricians in talking with families about the importance of reading aloud beginning in infancy. They give children a new book to take home at each checkup, and provide reading materials for the waiting rooms. Check out other helpful materials under the Resource Center tab at ReachOutandRead.org @reachoutandread

#earlyliteracy childdevelopment pediatricians earlyintervention reading

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Reading Times for Popular Books

(1) Avenue Education

This beautiful infographic can help to judge whether a book is a good fit for your child's attention span. If you're looking for a good bedtime story, some longer books can be read over the course of several nights. This data is based on average reading rates for children, so the times would vary if the parent is reading aloud. You can enhance your children's listening comprehension by reading higher level books to them and discussing the story together. http://electricliterature.com/infographic-how-long-it-takes-kids-to-read-popular-books/

#readaloud bedtimestory readinglevels childrensliterature

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5 Things You Can Do To Help Your Children Get Ready For School!

With growing emphasis on the importance of Early Education children are being expected to know more and more at an earlier age. Many countries now have two years of pre-primary education available so instead of having those two extra years to grow and mature before needing to be ready for the schooling environment children need to be ready earlier and here are ten things we can do to help our children be ready for the school environment and the demands of early childhood education.

*Please note that I am not talking about drilling or attempting to force children to memorize numbers facts and figures but in finding natural and authentic ways to introduce and encourage these activities in your children’s daily lives.

#1 Reading!

I’m not talking about teaching your child to read, although please go ahead if you think your child is ready to learn, I’m talking about reading to your child. reading is one of the most beneficial things you can do for your child! By reading aloud you are modeling to your children how to read, you are showing an interest in books and reading and in doing so encouraging the same in your child and you are introducing or exposing them to new knowledge, ways of thinking, doing, being and new concepts in general, depending on the topic of the book.

Although these are some great benefits there are others apart from the literacy benefits. There is the ‘etiquette’ expected during reading time. When reading to your child you expect certain behaviors to take place. Sitting (somewhat) still, listening and engaging with the text commenting on the things they see in the pictures or what is happening in the story. There is learning about books themselves, they have titles, contents pages, some have pictures, some have stories and some have information and some have both. And finally there is the book to self or book to our world connections that help children become more aware of themselves and the world around them.

And of course you don’t have to just leave it there! Do something connected to what you’ve read! There are lots of ideas out there especially on the internet so search around. Here some ideas for you:

Paint or draw a picture
Use recycled materials to create characters or objects from the story
Go somewhere similar to a place from the story and compare!
Create your own version of the story
Create your own continuation of story

(Image by freedigitalphotos.net)

#2 Writing

While you may find there isn’t often opportunities to model writing for your children there are many activities that you can engage in together that allow you to demonstrate writing and it’s importance as well as encouraging children to attempt writing for themselves. While there are lots of different ways to go about ‘teaching’ writing and I suggest that first you begin by teaching and encouraging children to hold their pencil correctly. Here are some ideas:

For teaching the alphabet:

Sing the ABC song or read a book about ABC and lead this into writing some or all of the alphabet (you can find printouts on the internet with dotted letters or you can make your own). Sing the song again pointing to the letters they wrote as you go
Buy or make some laminated type alphabet cards that children can use whiteboard markers to write on them then wipe them clean
Buy a small whiteboard that children can write on

Writing opportunities

Writing lists, the most obvious would be for shopping but there are others like, things to do, places to go etc.
Writing their name! You can encourage children to write their name in many places, on pictures they draw or paint, on Birthday/Christmas/Special cards or letter you are sending
Writing (very) short letters or thank you cards. While it might be a dying art it’s still a great way to engage children in writing. Find them a penpal!
Writing descriptions on paintings or drawings, it can be really simple “This is a ______”

#3 Arithmetic

While I called this Arithmetic I’m really not expecting anything complex here! I’m talking about encouraging numbers in your every day lives. By having a good grasp of counting, of counting things and being able to recognize numbers you are giving your children a good foundation in mathematics and encouraging enjoyment and engagement. Although we don’t always see it, there are many ways to engage in number learning everyday, here are some ideas:

Singing nursery songs like “Ten in the Bed” or “5 Little Speckled Frogs”
Reading books about numbers
Counting steps as you go up and down or counting how many steps between two places
Ask ‘how many’ to encourage counting
Model counting by counting things aloud

#4 Creative Arts

For a long time creative arts where discouraged from schools but in the past decade research has shown the benefits of creative arts for children (and adults) and as such in now included in curriculum under the broad category of ‘The Arts’. This includes visual arts, media arts, music dance and drama and there are a lot of activities you can do with these art forms. Art can also help children in expressing their thoughts and feelings when they don’t know the words they can draw you a picture and tell you about it.

Once again there is a lot of resources and ideas available on the internet but below are a few to get you started. I just want to Emphasize, art is much more than colouring pictures in! While there is a place for colouring, there is just so much more you can do with your kids!

Drawing - begin with lines and shapes and move into using shapes to draw other things. For example, a snowman can be considered two circles, a person’s head is a circle, their body is an oval etc.
Creating objects with recycled items then paint it, give it features, make it house, or a pet, or a toy or a friend….
Cutting and pasting (collages) pictures that they like or on a theme or linked to a book you’ve read together
Creating and editing videos together (you can do all the technical stuff if your child doesn’t know but you might be surprised at how fast they pick it up)
Creating puppets of characters from favourite books/nursery rhymes and creating puppet shows
Dancing to music (not necessarily just kids music but a range of different music if it’s appropriate). This can be following other people’s dances, free dancing and creating your own dances
Create your own musical instruments
Learn to play simple songs with musical instruments (or the ones you created) like nursery rhymes
Sing songs together!
Take photos! Let kids take photos at events, during outings or just take a walk around your local neighborhood and see what they can come up with. Then do something with the photos! Make a poster, create a photo album, make a collage!

(Image by freedigitalphotos.net)

#5 Health and Wellness

In the age of the obesity epidemic and all the easiness of ‘junk’ foods it’s impossible not to have health and wellness high on the list. Teaching your child healthy eating habits will have so many benefits and not just at school. There is more to just healthy eating though so lets break this up into a few categories with a few suggestions of things you can do.

Healthy Eating

Sitting down to eat at the dinner table, encouraging children to eat their fill before leaving (this will encourage children to eat at school before running off to play)
Have a small vegetable garden and encourage children to help you keep it, pick vegetables when they are ripe and cook the food together
Pack healthy lunch/snacks/drinks
Drink lots of water and encourage your children to do the same

Physical Activity

Go to the local playground - make it a play date if possible
Dance together (see #4 Creative Arts)
Enroll your child in a group type of sports, basketball, gym classes, karate - try out different things to see what your child likes
Exercise together! Put on an exercise video, do yoga, go running!

Hygienic Habits

Hand washing before eating, after touching anything dirty, after going to the toilet etc.
Brushing their teeth (many schools now have a unit where children bring their tooth brush to school and they all brush their teeth together!)

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thecuratedtee

A CURATED TIP FOR FINE MOTOR DEVELOPMENT

Don’t throw out those little broken pieces of chalk, crayons, pastels etc. They are fantastic for fine motor development, because they require your child to use a pincer grasp to use them!

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