Have you ever been called into the principals office during your school years?

 I’m grateful to share that I haven’t either, however I have visited the counselor’s office.  Now it wasn't for what you may be thinking....I wasn’t being “counseled” on behavioral issues, but career choices.  The counselor I met with was a Guidance Counselor who helped me prepare my path for college and beyond.

Well, last week during one of our school days, I ventured upon the rare occasion to emulate my public school experience by setting up a Guidance Couselor’s office for my young students.  I explained to them that  my objective was to help them set their bi-annual goals and develop a strategy for success (more on this process by visiting my vid on YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j4LZJsld2NA

 Again, I was excited to hear about my children’s personal goals; from learning how to swim to memorizing 2 concertos. I also set several goals as a home educator such as:

1. Scheduling monthly field trips
2. Investing in a museum membership
3. Implementing gardening lessons
4.incorporating annual standard testing. 

When it came to testing, the cost of purchasing 4 testing packages didn’t appeal to my pocketbook, however I did find an alternative by doing a simple google search.  Here is a wonderful link to multiple FREE DOWNLOADABLE GRADE APPROPRIATE TESTS issued by the state of Texas:

http://www.scotthochberg.com/taas.html

(Note: Each grade level includes several dozen pages that require printing, however if you take time to do the math, it should save a few $$’s  and will provide a sample test until you’re ready to invest in another standardized test)