It is boring.
So this post will be boring too. A list of links and resources.
One day I may look back and be grateful I've recorded these. At the very least it will be a place others can look and find where to start if they want to register in NSW.
Still boring.
Anyway, here we go:
General information from NSW Board of Studies (BOS) about home schooling:
http://syllabus.bos.nsw.edu.au
NSW BOS Registration for Home Schooling in NSW – Information Package http://www.boardofstudies.nsw.edu.au/parents/pdf_doc/home-edu-info-pack-13.pdf
Application Form for initial registration to Home School:
http://www.boardofstudies.nsw.edu.au/home-schooling/pdf_doc/form-1-app-for-initial-rego.pdf
Contact details for NSW BOS Home Schooling Unit:
NSW Syllabuses for the Key Learning Areas required to be taught:
http://syllabus.bos.nsw.edu.au
For each KLA in this document I have taken screen shots of
1. the objectives,
2. the outcomes for the appropriate stage
3. the stage statements or foundation statements
and copied and pasted in links to where I can find
4. content guidelines
5. recommended texts (English only)
It did take a bit of hunting and piecing together, but the aim was to put all the basic information in one document with links to where I could find more specific guidelines if I need them later when doing my weekly planning and evaluating.
With the above information, I created a document using my basic word processing application on my computer that I can use to show that I am aware of the BOS expectations.
After the BOS information for each KLA I left a page to write in my general plan for how I will help MissG achieve the outcomes desired for her stage of learning. This includes things like buy a workbook for maths. Provide plenty of story books to read (from our existing collection and form the library).
Then I went back to the top of the document (because I like to do things in a round about way) and added a page explaining the reasons why we wish to homeschool MissG. Essentially this is to show why we decided to homeschool, and what we hope to provide for her that school cannot. Because MissG is Autistic and diagnosed with Sensory Processing Disorder this included things like physical environment requirements, as well as social and emotional requirements.
At the bottom of the document I outlined what procedures will be used to evaluate and record MissG's progress. I use a combination of diary keeping, photographs of activities stored in a program called Evernote (google it- it's cool) and dated work samples. I take time once or twice a week to look back at the outcomes for each KLA and identify which ones are being achieved, then I write the date I observed it directly onto the grid I pasted into my planning document. When I have time I may put the outcomes into my own spreadsheet and record dates there so I can have a copy stored safely online.
All very dry and boring, but necessary to establish a clear line of thought around goals and aims, and how to ensure I have a sound planning system and achievable method of record keeping.
