2013 2014 PORTFOLIO DEVELOPMENT: Congratulations! You made it to your sophomore year!

! Some may argue that these next two years are the most important years in your high school career. While, as a teacher, I believe all years are important, your sophomore and junior years will be especially important as you begin to plan for college or life after of high school. As such, it is critical that you understand your learning strengths, areas for improvement, interests, and also celebrate accomplishments! One method to evaluate both academic and personal growth is through the creation of a portfolio. All student portfolios will give you the opportunity to share evidence of how you are development 21st Century Skills required to support readiness for college, careers, and citizenship. These skills include: Critical thinking and problem solving Collaboration Communication Creativity and Innovation

In this way, students become actively involved in a process of taking responsibility for their own learning and life plan. P21.org

The goal of the portfolio process is for you to assume increasing levels of responsibility for you own learning and growth. Steps include: Evidence collection Problem solving and goal-setting Evaluation and application of evidence Reflection

PORTFOLIO FAQs: Q: Ms. SullivanWHY are you having us create student Portfolios? A: The primary reason is to document your growth each year in the outcomes and use that information to make good decisions and plan for your future. Q: What will I learn from the portfolio process? A: Organization, time-management, and planning skills. You will become a better problem solver, learn how to make good use of resources, and learn how to take charge of your own learning by reflecting upon your growth both academically and personally. Q: Will the portfolios be graded? A: Yes. Portfolios will count as 20% of your Learning Center grade. Please refer to the portfolio rubric for details on how grades will be determined. Q: What is the process? A: 1. You will begin with collecting, keeping track of and categorizing your work. 2. Next, you begin to analyze your own work. This process will help you set personal goals, develop action plans, implement the plans, assess their own progress, and communicate with others about what you have learned. 3. The heart of the portfolio process is reflection. Reflection is taking the time to give careful consideration to work and self, to look at the evidence and honestly assess learning and growth.

Q: What am I supposed to be collecting for my portfolio? A: You will be required to collect and analyze completed work from your academic classes. These samples should be the work you are most proud of and reflect your growth as a student. Examples of works collected can be: A test or quiz that you were really happy with your score Presentations Photos Writing samples IPR reflections/action plans Report card reflection and action plans Quarterly goals/reflections IEP reflections

(Not to worry, I will be giving you a template for all the bullets you dont know!)

PORTFOLIO FORMAT/ELEMENTS:

1. A portfolio cover. Design a cover for your portfolio that includes your name and school year. You then can design your cover however you would like! This will represent your interests and personality. Get as colorful as you want!

2. A Table of Contents (this will be created at the end of the year).

3. Four (4) sections; one section for each quarter.

4. Reflections for each chosen piece. (You are expected to collect at least 2 samples per month.)