Documentation
When we started homeschooling we were told by the Homeschool rep who's looking after our area that we'll need to document what we do with our son and from talking to other parents I learned that most homeschoolers are keeping a journal. In addition to writing down daily what we were doing, we also kept our son's craft projects, art works, writing samples and we took tons of pictures. What seems to work best for us is a monthly calendar to plan our activities - not so much lessons but playdates, beach days, visits to the library, art classes and other activities - and we also have a weekly calendar to write down what we actually did. Ever once in a while we take stock and see if we're on track with reaching the subject specific outcomes.
How to document your homeschool year.
1. Plan Your Homeschool Week or Month Ahead
Creating a flexible homeschool schedule helps you stay on track without feeling overwhelmed. Start by making a weekly or monthly homeschool plan — nothing too detailed! Simple goals like “complete two pages of a Maths workbook daily,” “write one creative story a week,” or “visit a local art gallery” are enough.
Remember, the best part of homeschooling is flexibility. You can always adjust your plans as life happens. To stay organised, try using a homeschool planner from Etsy or Amazon, or design your own with Canva. A visual plan helps you stay consistent and confident in your homeschool routine.
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2. Keep a Daily or Weekly Homeschool Log
Homeschool record keeping doesn’t need to be perfect — consistency is key. We use a weekly homeschool calendarstuck on the fridge so everyone can easily add notes.
Each day, jot down what your child has done — even spontaneous learning moments like bike riding, baking bread, reading a new book, or exploring nature. These everyday experiences often connect to homeschool subjects like science, English, and physical education. By documenting your homeschool activities, you’ll build a well-rounded learning portfolio with minimal stress.
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3. Take Plenty of Photos for Your Homeschool Portfolio
Photos are an easy and fun way to document homeschooling progress. While you don’t need to capture every moment, taking photos during field trips, art projects, outdoor learning days, or family holidays helps showcase real-world education.
Create folders by subject or term, or store them in a dedicated homeschool portfolio. If you’re using digital platforms, Canva and Google Photos work perfectly for homeschool documentation.
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4. Save and Organize All Work Samples
When it comes to homeschool record keeping, never underestimate the value of paper! We keep a drawer for all drawings, worksheets, and writing samples. Every few months, we sort through and decide what to keep or recycle.
Important pieces go into a homeschool folder or binder — some parents organize by subject, others by term. Doing a big sort at the end of the year can feel overwhelming, but it’s satisfying to see all the homeschool progress your child has made.
5. Preparing for a Homeschool Registration Visit (NSW)
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If you’re homeschooling in NSW, you’ll likely have a home visit from a homeschool registration officer. They’ll review your homeschool curriculum, focusing on Maths and English first, then other subjects.
Before the visit, organize your documentation:
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Sort activities by subject
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Write a brief summary of your homeschool year
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Add supporting photos and samples
Some families prefer printing everything in folders, while others (like us) create a digital homeschool book in Canva to print and share. Being well-prepared helps your visit go smoothly — most take under 20 minutes when everything’s organised.
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Coming Soon: Homeschool Planners & Resources
Stay tuned! We’ll soon share printable homeschool calendars, apps for homeschool organisation, and other free homeschool planning resources to make your journey even easier.