Step-By-Step Kindergarten Portfolio
A portfolio is the most authentic way to assess the growth and development of students.
Additionally, adding photos and memories to the portfolio make it a priceless keepsake!
If you haven't used portfolios before, or you feel like you could use some help with organization and/or production, here are a few tips.
I have tried portfolios in many different formats from dime-folders to digital masterpieces. I have found the binder style to be the most productive, easy to manage, and easy to store. I use these binders that I buy on
. I have had students bring their own binders, but I like the binders to be uniform.
I like the Clear-View binders so that I can add a
with the student's picture to make finding each binder an easy task. And they look professional and purposeful.
The most important thing to keep yourself organized and on top of portfolios is finding the storage area before you begin. Plan to keep the portfolios in reach of students. (Even though I am the only one that adds pages, I have students bring the books to me and return on their own).
Also. don't get behind!!! I add the pages for the month at the end of the month.
If you are printing your own photos on copy machines in either color or black and white, invest in quality
for those pages. I have found that paper makes all the difference. If I use the heavier weight paper, I use less ink.
If you are printing and then mounting photos,
and other on-line photo processing areas offer many great discounts. Then for mounting, you MUST have the
Using this tape gun will keep everything secure! No more wasted time remounting photos!
If you have access to a color printer, the photos can be easily printed as a full sheet. I print a few of my pages at school, but I print the majority at home on my
. The most important time-saver tip in printing, is to print the pictures ready to put in portfolios. I even organize my photos alphabetically by first name so they will come out of the printer collated, ready to slip in the portfolios.
Start the year right! Take a picture at orientation, or on your first day. (I use the same photo to crop for the helper chart, dictionary, desks, etc).
Then, take your photo and print as photograph, or design a page on iWork's, adobe, powerpoint, or etc. (Remember to organize the pages alphabetically before printing).
Design (
or, okay you can purchase mine
) a monthly divider that has purpose. This divider will allow an authentic measure of handwriting growth monthly. I print the divider on a color that matches the mood of the month or season.
Continue the beginnings of your portfolio by adding one or two pages that represent beginning of the year memories. I love these two, a takeoff on
and another on
Next add some
beginning of the year measures
that will be also produced at the end of the year for full year growth comparison.
Add a beginning of the year work sample.
Continue your portfolios by adding about 4-5 pages each month (A variety of photo memories, creative writing, work samples, etc). Think in terms of month when doing portfolios. Ask yourself, "What four (or more) pages will best reflect the month's learning in our classroom."
Here are a few of the pages I have used in the past.
Besides using journals, I try to place a minimum of two
in the portfolio. I have found that parents love that everything is in one place, easy to store and preserve.
I also add a minimum of two art or other work samples each month.
I add about four video samples yearly. I either add the video directly burned on a DVD, or on the page documenting the activity I add the link to a secure video on Vimeo, Youtube, etc.
Be sure to have an end of the year section just as you had a beginning of the year section. It will keep the portfolios organized and bring the book to a feeling of completion.
You will love documenting your student's kindergarten year and providing a treasure to families. I actually had a couple of students bring their kindergarten portfolios for me to sign to celebrate their College Graduation! Yes, portfolios are worth it!
If you want a template to get you going, I offer easy to use pages that are ready to go!
Also available at Teachers Pay Teachers!
A portfolio contains work samples that are representative of where a child is at a particular time. It clearly shows development as it continues throughout the school year. A portfolio is an effective assessment tool that authentically documents a child's progress and serves as a great reporting tool as well.
Memory books are also a great tool to keep "favorite" school memories alive. We have merged the memory book idea and included it as part of the portfolio system.
This product has been built for your flexibility. There are portfolio covers and binder end tags provided for all grades Pre-K, K and 1st. There is also a black and white option to run on colored tag, as colored ink is generally at a premium.
The product is then divided into sections: Beginning of the year essentials, month by month work samples, pages to use throughout the year to document memories, and an end of the year section.
Also available at Teachers Pay Teachers!
A portfolio often includes pictures, art projects, and monthly work samples in writing and handwriting (see our portfolio/memory book template for ideas and masters). To provide a more complete body of work that highlights the accomplishments of your students, it is necessary to also include math and science work samples. To get our Portfolio Basics check here: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Creating-a-Portfolio-Keepsake-Measuring-Growth-One-Sample-at-a-Time-252121
The pages in this math and science portfolio packet are designed to be used in conjunction with books and other activities that support your theme or unit of study. They include reports, worksheets, or examples of what has been accomplished or learned. These portfolio pages can serve as culminating activities or work samples. They represent what the student can do independently or with little guidance at a particular time. They include the following twenty math and science portfolio pages: