Fifth Grade
10 Years Old
SCHOOL YEAR EVALUATION
Kelsey�s greatest personal accomplishment this year was becoming more self-motivated. She would commonly begin and progress through her daily assignments with no prompting or harassment from me. This began at some point about midway through her school year.
Academically, Kelsey continued to perform on grade level in all subject areas. She continues to show aptitude in mathematics and logical thinking. Kelsey took the Stanford Achievement Test at the end of this school year and a copy of the results is in her portfolio.
A continuing area of trouble for Kelsey is writing. She balks at writing assignments and seems to consider it torturous. We will concentrate on rectifying this shortfall during the next school year.
This was an active year for Kelsey.
We went to the new South Carolina Aquarium in Charleston, SC. It was a semi-guided tour, and very educational and entertaining. http://www.scaquarium.org/new/intro.html
At the end of a unit study on the Renaissance, Kelsey was able to attend the Renaissance Festival near Charlotte, NC. She spent an entire day seeing traditional minstrel entertainment, architecture, dress, and behavior. She was also a spectator at a jousting event between two knights. www.renaissance-faire.com/Renfaires/Carolina-Festival.htm
We were able to take a short class and a quick tour of the Hydro-Electric Plant at the Lake Murray Dam.
http://www.scana.com/
For the second consecutive year, Kelsey participated in the Young Eagles Program (certificate enclosed). This year was special, because Kelsey flew in a restored biplane and was able to actually take the controls during the course of her flight. http://www.youngeagles.com/
The State Museum was the site where Kelsey attended a class entitled �Radio Days�. The children in her class had a wonderful time reenacting an old-fashioned radio program and discovering the way sound effects were accomplished. http://www.museum.state.sc.us/
Another class at The State Museum that Kelsey really enjoyed was �Light and Lasers�. Investigating light and the origination of the laser was a learning experience for all of us.
Kelsey spent a few days on the Atlantic Ocean in Hilton Head, SC. She studied shells, ocean life, sea birds and had an introduction to tennis during her stay. She was also introduced to computer simulation via virtual reality entertainment. http://www.hhisland.com/
Kelsey took some basic carpentry classes with Lowes. She built a bird house and learned to hammer and follow assembly instructions. http://www.lowes.com
Murray Craft M. Ed., of K-9 Connection, put on a dog training demonstration for our home school group. He compared training dogs to training our children. www.home.earthlink.net/~k9connect
Kelsey had the opportunity again this year to participate in a Knots and Climbing Class (paperwork enclosed). She learned basic knots used in climbing and other activities, and was able to scale a rock wall using a harness and pulley system.
The Department of Juvenile Justice was the setting for �Project Right Turn�. Kelsey participated in this tour and was impressed by the seriousness of many children�s situations. http://www.state.sc.us/djj/
She participating in a bi-monthly Book Discussion Group at the Irmo Branch Library for a good portion of the school year.
Kelsey entered two items in an Art Show at the Irmo branch Library during the month of November. The items were a sculpture, �Boogee Head�, and a model of an Indian mask inspired by a unit study of the American Northeast Indians and their �False Face Society�.
She learned a great deal about teamwork and improvisation during her participation in �Destination Imagination�. www.destinationimagination.org
Physical Education was accomplished through several venues. She roller skates for two hours at a time twice per month. She learned to ice skate this year. She also is a member of the YMCA Swim Team on the Gold Level. An evaluation of her participation by her coach, John Hinks Jr., is contained elsewhere in this portfolio. At a swim meet on 6/29/01, Kelsey placed 2nd in the backstroke, 3rd in the freestyle, and 3rd in the butterfly in heats in her age group. She competed in an older age group (13-14) girls backstroke and placed 4th. www.columbiaymca.org
At Christmastime, Kelsey was invited by a church other than our own to try out for a part in a play entitled, �The Story of the Ornament�. She won the lead role of �Emily�.
Kelsey traveled to Florida and attended a week-long course in military science, physical training, and marksmanship. She toured Hurlburt Air Force Base and interviewed a female personnel counselor. This course was designed, developed and implemented by Kelsey�s grandfather, SMSGT Charles L. Robertson, USAF Ret. A certificate and her records are contained elsewhere in this portfolio. http://www.hurlburt.af.mil/index2.shtml
As a family, we traveled to The Outer Banks in North Carolina and visited the Cape Hatteras lighthouse. We visited the Wright Brothers museum and Kelsey practiced map navigation as we drove. http://www.outerbanks.com/duck/
She attended a four day class entitled �Time Management for Middle Schoolers�. The topics of the importance of daily planning and how to develop long range planning. She will take this class again on an annual basis. http://thechalkboard.com/Corporations/DayRunner/lessons/
The Chess Club was a new experience for Kelsey this year. They met to play chess bi-monthly.
We began instruction in personal economics using �Debt Proof Your Kids� by Mary Hunt. We established a monthly income for Kelsey and opened a savings account for her. We set up a �financial notebook� for her to track her expenses and investments. www.cheapskatemonthly.com
Kelsey volunteered in the canteen at the American Red Cross for a total of eleven hours. She served drinks and snacks to donors after they had given blood. www.redcross.org
The Congaree Swamp was a very interesting guided tour. The importance of the swamp was emphasized and the preservation of it was stressed. www.usparks.about.com/travel/usparks/blparkbiosphere.htm
She attended a geology and science class put on by the SCDNR (SC Department of Natural Resources). She then volunteered and tagged 16 storm drains with pollution warnings. http://water.dnr.state.sc.us/
In addition to her Bible study in school, Kelsey participated in Sunday School and Children�s Church at our church, Columbia Crossroads Church. http://www.columbiacrossroads.org/
Near the end of the school year, Kelsey performed a recitation of the poem �Harmony� during the �Evening of Excellence� sponsored by our home school support group and attended by approximately 100 people.
We were quite pleased with Kelsey�s participation and experiences she gained during this school year.
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