Artwork Counts, Too!

Don't forget to include artwork in those portfolios. Sometimes a child who has difficulty reading may be more artistically inclined. And a child who has problems expressing himself creatively may have other problems as well.

Note: Never "grade" papers and place ALL of them up where everyone can see everyone else's grade. Either give no grade, or give everyone the same grade (like a check mark or a happy face).

Portfolios

I have a big purple crate with hanging file folders in it. Each folder has a manila folder with a child's name and his "recognition stamp".

Whenever I have my students do something that I need to keep - a completed assessment, a coloring page, a math worksheet, handwriting sample, or whatever I may need to show how that child is doing in class - all I have to do is tell them to put it in the purple basket.
They love to file their own work, and the portfolio is great to show parents during report card conferences, or to pass along to another teacher in the event a student has to be retained or referred for special testing (like speech.)