PORTFOLIOS AND MEANINGFUL ASSESSMENTS

Probably the last thing you want to hear about right now is ASSESSMENT. I think we focus too much on a test score and number, and not enough on the whole child. Drawings, work samples, observations, checklists, rubrics, and journals can all be used to demonstrate what children are learning. They are perfect for parent conferences because they are a personal assessment of each child.

Portfolio
Individualize children’s growth by collecting samples of their work each month and saving the work samples in a portfolio. You can use grocery sacks or clasp envelopes and date each month. Collect a writing sample, self-portrait, small motor activity, math page, etc. You could bind these together and present them to parents at your end of year conference.

Four Square Assessment
At the beginning of each month, have children fold a piece of paper into fourths. Ask them to write/draw the same thing in each square every month. You might have them draw a picture of themselves, write their name, write letters of the alphabet, numbers, shapes, write a story, etc. Adapt to your age level and standards. Date and save for a “reliable” picture of the child’s progress throughout the year.

Interest Inventory
In addition to saving writing samples and self-portraits in a “portfolio” each month, have children complete an “interest inventory” by filling in sentences similar to the ones below:

I am good at______.
I like to _____.
I want to work on _____.
My favorite book is _____.
I wish _____.

Hint! Younger children could just dictate their responses to an adult.

Color Coded
This isn't very high tech, but it's very visual and can be very meaningful. Find an assessment with basic skills you will be focusing on during the year such as upper and lowercase letters, numerals, shapes, sight words, sounds, math facts, etc. Each month assess children and color in the squares they have mastered with a different color of crayon. For example, color what they know in September in red, October - orange, November - brown, etc. It will give a "colorful" picture of the child's learning journey.

Observations
Write down what you observe children doing as they play with classmates, complete assignments, cooperate in group activities, and every day routines.

Hint! Add photos for a visual "insight" into how children are performing.


I AM PROUD!
Let children decorate a folder with their name. Store these in a special tub in the classroom. Encourage the children to save work that they are "proud" of in their folder. 

Hint! If you did this with an illustration and writing sample at the beginning of each month they could “revisit” past work and see how they are improving.