It is important to make your portfolio organized and easy to read and browse. Some teachers may want to look at every detail while others may look at details on some pages and get a feel for the rest. It should be easy for another person to navigate since it will be evaluated by someone else. So, once you get your binder and supplies, printables, and work samples, then what do you do? How do make all of that into a readable, scannable, portfolio?
If you select a binder that you can insert a sheet for the cover then insert your title page which includes your child’s name, grade level, and school year. You may want to allow your child to decorate it. Start the portfolio with any legal documents required or you want to include. Follow that with a list of curriculum and resources used for each subject. Include a list of extra-curricular courses, field trips, and awards. You may include a reading list here or in the language arts section. Follow that by your schedule, daily, or weekly routine. If you keep grade records or progress reports include that next. A scope and sequence is not necessary but if you follow one or want to include it then you may provide it here as well. These first sections are basically the snapshot and outline of the year.
Once you complete the snapshot then you will provide more information on each course. Each course should have its own section. Begin the section with a list of objectives for the individual course or a course outline. Next provide the samples of work. You may place a divider in between the beginning, middle, and end of the year if you wish.
Feeling overwhelmed? Be encouraged that I was able to put together a successful (and impressive according to the evaluator) portfolio for my 8th grade student the night before. I had originally planned to have her take the standardized test and at the last minute thought it would be nice not to have to go to the testing center at all this year. My daughter keeps her work and is very organized. I also keep a log of her progress as normal. My regular record keeping through files and photos did help me whip it together. If I can then you can! The same with my younger daughter who was diagnosed with dyslexia late in year; I had no plans on putting a portfolio together but through my record keeping and saved word was able to manage it.
I recommend documenting throughout the year but if you are like me and make a decision at the last moment…as long as you have records and work saved, you can put together a successful portfolio. It may seem like a lot of work but it is only a lot of steps. It is easy to do and actually quite fun as you reminisce about the year.