Here’s the Letter of Intent, IHIP and templates for the quarterly reports and yearly assessment I will be submitting to New York State for Margot this year. I cobbled things together from various sources online. It was really helpful for me to read a variety of reports when making mine, so I thought I would share ours. I even did it all redactified for you.
The whole idea of reporting is kind of… anti-unschooling, right? But, you know what, I like writing reports, and even though I have to do all this legal-sounding language citing the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education, it’s really just a very specifically organized journal.
I will try to post the detailed Quarterly Reports when I prepare them, but, as the world’s most forgetful blogger, I will probably, well… forget.
Letter of Intent
SENDER ADDRESS
DATE
RECIPIENT ADDRESS
To Whom it May Concern,
We are sending this letter of intent as required of Section 100.10 of the Regulations of the New York State Commissioner of Education.
We intend to homeschool our child, NAME, who will be entering grade 1, for the 2018-2019 school year.
Sincerely,
(Guardian’s Signature)
Individualized Home Instruction Plan
Student’s Name: NAME
Date of Birth: DATE
Grade Level: 1
School Year: 2018-2019
NAME will learn at home in the company of their mother, NAME. Their father, NAME, will also play a major role as will various family and friends, and members of the community, including trained instructors when suitable. NAME’s education will be flexible and able to be adjusted as their needs change. They will be involved in the construction of their own curriculum, based around their particular interests.
It is our belief and intention that, in accordance with New York State regulations and requirements (as indicated in Section 100.10), by pursuing their interests NAME will cover a full year’s worth of all the subjects specified therein. Corresponding subtopics may include but are not limited to the following:
- Arithmetic
- Counting and writing to 100
- Simple number patterns
- Concepts of quantity and size
- Concepts of equality and inequality
- Estimation
- Geometric patterns and figures
- Basic measurement
- Recognizing time
- Value of money
- Solving simple word problems
- The English language (Including Reading, Spelling and Writing)
- Phonological awareness
- Reading independently
- Reading and listening comprehension
- Discussion skills
- Beginning spelling
- Beginning grammar
- Creating stories and poems
- Social Studies (Including Geography, United States History and Patriotism & Citizenship)
- Basic Geography terms
- Community Service projects
- Holidays, traditions and customs
- Cultural studies
- Science
- Grouping and Classification
- Animal studies
- Gardening
- Tracking weather and seasons
- Simple machines
- Beginning experimentation
- Health and Safety
- Bicycle safety
- Traffic safety
- Fire prevention and safety
- Personal hygiene
- Disease prevention
- Arts
- Exploring different genres of music
- Exploring musical instruments
- Arts and crafts
- Children’s theater
- Music lessons
- Physical Education
- Structured group gymnastics
- Free play indoors and outdoors
Instruction methods/tools may include and shall not be limited to: reference materials (atlas, dictionaries, globe, maps, encyclopedias, non-fiction books, videos, the internet), workbooks, worksheets, hands-on activities, experiments, projects, newspapers, magazines, frequent field trips, museum memberships, live performances (including dramatic & musical theater and musical performances), movies, instructional videos, group activities (library programs, homeschool co-op meetings, troop meetings), classic/contemporary literature, independent research, writing (journal, narrative, poetry), games, creative thinking, predicting/forecasting, gathering facts, written correspondence (e-mails), recorded music, musical instruments, abundant art supplies, structured group classes (online and in person), free play, conversations, and real life.
NAME’s education is very important to us, and we believe they are learning no matter what activity they are engaged in. Therefore, they are learning (or being taught) all their waking hours. It would be very difficult to separate when they are learning, from when they are not. We believe living and learning are inextricably linked. By using their entire life as a learning experience NAME will meet or exceed the required 180 days and 900 hours for the school year beginning July 1st, 2018 and ending on June 30th, 2019.
Quarterly Reports will be submitted by the following dates:
November 30th 2018 / January 30th 2019 / April 30th 2019 / June 30th 2019
(Guardian’s Signature)
QUARTERLY REPORT
ORDINAL Quarter
Student’s name: NAME
Grade Level: 1
This Quarter covers: DATE to DATE
Date Submitted: DATE
We have had instruction in all the following areas, as per Section 100.10 of the Regulations of the New York State Commissioner of Education and NAME’s Individualized Home Instruction Plan.
Subject: Arithmetic
Materials Covered: NARRATIVE REPORT
Progress: Satisfactory
Subject: English (Including Reading, Spelling and Writing)
Materials Covered: NARRATIVE REPORT
Progress: Satisfactory
Subject: Social Studies (Including Geography, US History and Patriotism & Citizenship)
Materials Covered: NARRATIVE REPORT
Progress: Satisfactory
Subject: Science
Materials Covered: NARRATIVE REPORT
Progress: Satisfactory
Subject : Health and Safety (Including bicycle safety and fire prevention & safety)
Materials Covered: NARRATIVE REPORT
Progress: Satisfactory
Subject : Arts (Including Music and Visual Arts)
Materials Covered: NARRATIVE REPORT
Progress: Satisfactory
Subject : Physical Education
Materials Covered: NARRATIVE REPORT
Progress: Satisfactory
We have covered at least 80% of the required material for this quarter.
NAME had no absences from instruction this quarter, and has exceeded the required hours of instruction (225).
(Guardian’s Signature)
YEARLY ASSESSMENT
Student’s name: NAME
Date of Birth: DATE
Grade Level: 1
School Year: 2018-2019
Date Submitted: DATE
NAME has satisfactorily completed at least 80% of the required material for this year. They have made adequate academic progress in all subjects and has surpassed 900 hours of instruction. Highlights of the year include:
- NARRATIVE REPORT
- NARRATIVE REPORT
- MORE NARRATIVE REPORT
NAME will be entering Grade 2 for the 2019-2020 school year.
(Guardian’s Signature)
PHEW!
It feels like a lot to keep up with, but I think I’ve got a pretty good head start. Now I just have to fill in all the fun stuff throughout the year.
My eyeballs nearly fell out of my head when I typed the year 2020, though. How did THAT happen??
And while we’re at it… how do I have a child entering the First Grade? I can’t even…
At the beginning of the summer Margot was afraid to put her face in the water. She wasn’t afraid OF the water, she loved to go in the pool. But, she would only do so while holding on to an adult. Usually me. And usually pulling down my bikini top in the process.
This Isn't School 