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04 Developing a Portfolio

Page
025
from
Write Ahead

Developing a Portfolio Chapter Opener

Start-Up Activity

Ask students how they save their favorite pictures, videos, and articles online. (For example, on Pinterest, they "pin" them in albums.) If any of them have examples of pages they have compiled with their favorites, have them share with the class. Ask those who share why they selected what they selected, and why they put these items together into a collection.

Tell them they will be doing the same with their writing this grading period. They will create portfolios that bring their most interesting pieces together into a collection that tells about them as writers. If they wish, they can even create their portfolios digitally!

Think About It

“The greatest power that a person possesses is the power to choose.”

—J. Martin Kohe

State Standards Covered in This Chapter

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.9-10.6

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.9-10.10

LAFS Covered in This Chapter

LAFS.910.W.2.6

TEKS Covered in This Chapter

110.36.c.9.E

110.37.c.9.E

110.36.c.9

110.36.c.10

110.37.c.9

110.37.c.10

TEKS Covered in This Chapter

Page 026 from Write Ahead

Types of Portfolios

Let students know that potential employers will ask them for a cover letter, a resume, and samples of their past work. A showcase portfolio is a writer's resume, presenting the students' best work from a grading period. Each piece shows a different aspect of the writer's ability, and each essay has a cover letter that explains why it is included in the portfolio.

Lead students through the sample portfolio folder and essay cover sheet. In addition to, or in place of the cover sheet, you could have students complete a Self-Evaluation Sheet for each entry.

When students have completed their portfolios, you can use the following Portfolio Evaluation to grade them.

Downloads:
State Standard Reference:
LAFS Standard:
LAFS.910.W.2.6
TEKS Standard:
110.36.c.9.E, 110.37.c.9.E
NE ELA Standard:
LA 10.2.1.j

Related Resource Tags

Click to view a list of tags that tie into other resources on our site

Level:
Grade 9Grade 10
Mode:
Writing Basics
English Language Arts:
Publishing

Page 027 from Write Ahead

Growth, Personal, and Digital Portfolios

Present to your students the three types of portfolios on this page, emphasizing their differences and their use.

Then assign students to create their own portfolios. Indicate . . .

  • type of portfolio to create,
  • the grading period the portfolio will cover,
  • how many pieces each portfolio should contain,
  • what sorts of cover sheets should appear with each entry, and
  • what sort of folder students should keep their portfolios in (including any digital options).

On the next pages, students will receive further guidance for assembling their portfolios.

State Standard Reference:
LAFS Standard:
LAFS.910.W.2.6
TEKS Standard:
110.36.c.9.E, 110.37.c.9.E
NE ELA Standard:
LA 10.2.1.j

Related Resource Tags

Click to view a list of tags that tie into other resources on our site

Level:
Grade 9Grade 10
Mode:
Writing Basics
English Language Arts:
Publishing

Page 028 from Write Ahead

Creating a Portfolio

Use this page to help students structure their showcase portfolios. (You can also pick and choose parts to use with other types of portfolios.) Lead students through each part. If you have examples from previous semesters, show students exemplars for each part.

Lead students through the compiling tips at the bottom of the page. (You will find more support on the next page.)

State Standard Reference:
LAFS Standard:
LAFS.910.W.2.6
TEKS Standard:
110.36.c.9.E, 110.37.c.9.E
NE ELA Standard:
LA 10.2.1.j

Related Resource Tags

Click to view a list of tags that tie into other resources on our site

Level:
Grade 9Grade 10
Mode:
Writing Basics
English Language Arts:
Publishing

Page 029 from Write Ahead

Planning Ideas

Use this page to help students understand the process of compiling their portfolios. They should start by keeping all of their writing assignments, rather than deciding assignment-by-assignment what to include. Then, when the time comes to compile their portfolios, they should use a thoughtful process to decide which pieces to include and why.

Direct your students to the questions under Step 3 to help them select writing assignments. These questions will also help them write their cover sheets, reflecting on each piece. Direc students to the statements under Step 4 to help them set writing goals for their portfolios.

State Standard Reference:
LAFS Standard:
LAFS.910.W.2.6
TEKS Standard:
110.36.c.9.E, 110.37.c.9.E
NE ELA Standard:
LA 10.2.1.j

Related Resource Tags

Click to view a list of tags that tie into other resources on our site

Level:
Grade 9Grade 10
English Language Arts:
Publishing

Page 030 from Write Ahead

Sample Portfolio Reflections

Reflection is key to any learning. It cements the experience, helping to lock it in place so that it doesn't just drift away. Help students understand that the reflection process helps them fully grasp where they have been and where they are going. It is just as important for professional writers as it is for those just starting out.

Have student volunteers read aloud each reflection. Then discuss what the reflection reveals about the writing, the writer, and the process. Encourage your students to write reflections that are just as thoughtful.

State Standard Reference:
LAFS Standard:
LAFS.910.W.2.6
TEKS Standard:
110.36.c.9.E, 110.37.c.9.E
NE ELA Standard:
LA 10.2.1.j

Related Resource Tags

Click to view a list of tags that tie into other resources on our site

Level:
Grade 9Grade 10
Mode:
Writing Basics
English Language Arts:
Publishing