Self-Assessment In Portfolios

In recent years, portfolios of student performance and products have gained support from educators, who view them as a way to collect evidence of a student's learning. For many educators, portfolios are an attractive alternative to more traditional assessment methods.

The following instructions enable students to transform their reading notebook into a portfolio in an attempt to make literature more challenging, integrated and meaningful for students. It engages the student in the investigation of a real-world problem by gathering and sharing information, communicating ideas and findings, refining perceptions, and creating artifacts.

PORTFOLIO POWER

Turn your notebook into a portfolio by:

1. Arranging all your works of writing from most to least effective, including all evidence of the writing process behind each final draft.

2. Reflecting on your two best works, and on a separate sheet(s) of paper for each work, answering the following questions.
   • What makes this your best (second best) work?
   • 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?

   Placing this evaluation of your process and product in front of each final draft when completed.

3. Answering these two questions on a single sheet(s) of paper at the front of your portfolio.
   • What makes your most effective work different from your least effective work?
   • What are your goals for future writing?

4. Including an illustrated Cover or Title Page and a Table of Contents at the beginning of your portfolio.

Your self-evaluation of your two best works will be as important to your grade as the teacher's assessment of your final two drafts and their writing process. The teacher will also consider the number of works in your portfolio, the range of styles, and your progress as a writer.