Recordkeeping with HOD?

[Sheila in OK]

Hi Ladies,
I am getting ready to start our school year in a few weeks (!) and am trying to get organized. I will be using Bigger w/ Extensions for dd, Bigger as written for ds, and DITHOR and R&S for both. I have done several different recordkeeping methods in the past--HS Tracker Basic for a few years, my own Excel spreadsheets, and last year, The Homeschooler's Journal purchased from a school supply store. I'm trying to decide what to use for this upcoming school year. Since we are getting close to jr. high, I'm wondering if I should go back to computerize recordkeeping so I'll be ready when I have to start preparing transcripts.

Anyway, just wondering what all of you use. I've looked at Homeschool Tracker Plus, and I have a trial version of EduTrack. Does anyone use either of these? Which do you think would work the best with HOD? Or should I just go with a written journal again?

Decisions, decisions!

[wertzeemom]

Shelia - I have no advice - sorry! I just wanted to say that my girls are doing Bigger -- with extensions and as written -- as well as R&S. I have the Homeschool Journal (used it last time as well) for this year. If you use a computer program, I'll be curious to see how you like it. We should compare progress since we're doing the same thing. Enjoy!
Stephanie

[Sheila in OK]

HI Stephanie!
Thanks for the reply. We are really looking forward to starting with Bigger! I am kind of leaning toward doing something simple like the Homeschooler's Journal but worry about having to do transcripts in the future (eek!). I'm just afraid the learning curve of a computer program is going to be more than I want to do right now. LOL

[mariaw]

Personally I think HST is a real pain. It was too much work for me to keep up with. I know people who love it and use it to wrap their head around the year, but it became a burden and not a tool for me. I don't know what kind of record-keeping you need in your state, but my plan is to just keep the tm's with the checkmarks (different color for each kid). I'll write on the inside cover the dates we started and finished. Simple!

[Carrie]

With our kiddos, we do just as mariaw shared. We like to keep our record-keeping simple too. One benefit of using HOD is that you have an entire set of lesson plans to file away and pull out if ever needed to show exactly what your child did for the year.

Blessings,
Carrie

[shaybird]

Carrie-- I am glad you posted. I was planning on having her date and initial the box in one corner for record keeping. The next child can use another corner and so on...
Sharyn

[Sheila in OK]

That sounds like a good plan. I love simple! All we have to do here in OK is do school for 180 days, so I do like to keep track of attendance. I could just use some sort of calendar for that, I guess.

Thanks ladies!