Self-evaluation

This artifact demonstrates how students can become involved in self-evaluation. It is the responsibility of the students to reflect on their written work and select the two best works from their past assignments. They must provide a rationale for this selection, clarifying why it is their best work and commenting on the process they went through to complete those works. In addition, they must explain how these most effective pieces are different from their least effective pieces and set goals for their future writing. It is clear that students must think carefully about their writing as they complete their portfolio. This self-assessment, then, becomes part of the teacher's assessment as well.

Portfolio Power

"...portfolios become each student's story of who they are as readers and writers, rich with the evidence of what they are able to do and how they are able to do it. Each portfolio is a collection of each student's best work."
"Portfolios allow teachers to get to know students-as readers, writers, thinkers, and as human beings."

Turn your binder into a portfolio by...

Arranging all your pieces from most to least effective, including all evidence of the writing process behind each final draft.
Reflect on your two best works, and on a separate sheet(s) of paper for each piece, answer the following questions. Place this evaluation of your process and product in front of each final draft when completed.
- What makes this your best (second best) piece?
- How did you go about writing it?
- What problems did you encounter?
- How did you solve them?
- What goals did you set for yourself?
- How did you go about accomplishing them?
On a single sheet of paper at the front of your portfolio, answer these two questions.
- What makes your most effective piece different from your least effective piece?
- What are your goals for future writing?

Your self-evaluation of your best works will be as important to us - your teachers - as our evaluation of your two final drafts and their writing process. We will also consider the number of works in your portfolio, the range of styles and your progress as a writer.