Ending Where We Started

In Praise
              of Portfolios                  

These boxes hold this year's portfolios.

For more than a decade, every student I've taught  has created a book of original writing and art. 

It can be difficult to find time for creative lessons and writing workshop (in AP English or any other Language Arts class), but I make it a priority.

I start the year by showing them sample portfolios and setting a long-term goal -- complete your own portfolio.

The projects end our experience on a high note of creativity and accomplishment. 

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I almost always write my own handouts: 
                             These packets open and close the course.

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Portfolios exemplify many student-centered theories about teaching reading and writing, including:

• long-term planning
  
• goal-setting
  
• authentic writing
  
• project-based learning

Let me take you inside a few and show you the writing and creativity ANY student can accomplish.

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Poems, memoirs, and mind maps make up the bulk of the work. They also include photographs, awards, and examples of academic essays.

By "setting goals & deadlines" every quarter, I coax this material from my students throughout the year.

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I don't put grades on creative writing. Instead each piece is evaluated as "teacher-edit" or "final." If it's a "t-e" that means revise and resubmit. Students love to get "finals"; I love to make them earn 'em through my comments, lessons, and revision directions.

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Decorations and photo-book approaches are nice accoutrements, but they do not impact the project grade. The score is based on the number of "finalized" poems, mind maps, and prose -- plus the mandated reflections. 

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Reflections can come in many forms...

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You never know what will happen if you teach students to be creative and encourage them to "take risks" and "bleed on paper."

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Students have the option to create an on-line portfolio. I don't teach them any lessons on website creation, but I get submissions made on Weebly, Tumblr, Wordpress and others.


Click on each name to see some on-line portfolios from this year:
           Elizabeth
                Jeff & Gabe
                        Margarita
                                 Terrance   

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