In our portfolios, I include anecdotal notes, photographs, art, stories, and other samples of children’s work. I take photos of children building with blocks, participating in science explorations, dramatic play, pretend-reading a story, etc. and attach it to a page along with a description of what the child was doing and quotes of things the child said while engaged in the activity. I sometimes also take photos of artwork or other projects that are too large or bulky to put in a portfolio.
I do hands-on activities in my class rather than worksheets, but when I need something for a portfolio, I think about how to make a “hard copy” of the same activity. For example, if I am assessing sorting, I have children sort paper cutouts to glue on divided paper, rather than sorting manipulatives in a divided tray. I use the paper punchers that are sold in craft stores for assessment of sorting, patterns, and counting. They come in all kinds of shapes and sizes: apples, stars, hearts, bears, leaves, butterflies, etc.
I like to write the objective on the back of each paper I add to the portfolio. This way the parents understand the purpose of the activity. For example, “Math: Making an AABB pattern” or “Math: Sorting by size” or “Literacy: Retelling a story”. One way to do this is to print labels with the objectives on them and stick them to the back of the paper. If you print out all of your labels ahead of time, it can work as a list of which samples need to be added to the portfolio and which children were absent when a sample was completed.
I use the portfolios during parent conferences to show what children have accomplished. I also use them when I need to fill out progress reports.
How to Make Them
I use notebooks with children’s work in clear page protectors. The children’s work is placed in chronological order. I like using the clear page protectors because children can flip through their book to look at their photos and work. I keep the portfolios out where the children can get them anytime. I use notebooks with clear covers with a photo of the child in the front sleeve.
What to Include in a Portfolio
Portfolio Work Samples:
- Math Portfolio Samples
- Literacy Portfolio Samples
- Fine Motor Portfolio Samples
- Art Portfolio Samples
- Science Portfolio Samples
Don’t miss the assessment resource page!
Some of these ideas I learned in a Georgia Best Practices Portfolio workshop, and some I’ve created on my own.