A separate folder (portfolio) should be kept for each student. Include a list or description of student's best work in each subject throughout the year. This folder should contain any tests, quizzes, report papers, book reports, artwork or other documents that indicates a student’s mastery of the required material. PIE suggests a two or three inch 3 ring binder. Label a tab for each subject. Behind the corresponding tab place a selection of your student’s work.
What is a Portfolio?
A portfolio is a sampling of your child’s work, tests, and assignments throughout the year. This is a record of improvements and successes. Under home school law in South Carolina it is required that the home school parent maintain a portfolio for each child. This is compiled on a yearly basis and is part of that child’s educational records. If the portfolio needs to be presented to an individual depends on the home school accountability association you chose.
What Means Do I Use to Create My Child's Portfolio?
We think the portfolios are the most fun. You are able to be very creative, especially in the younger years. If you are a scrapbook maker then you are already on your way. You may use any means you choose to create your child's portfolio. This might be a two or three inch ring notebook, photo album, pocket folders, or accordion files.
What Should I Include in My Child's Portfolio?
It would be inconvenient to keep every piece of work, test, and assignment that your child completed for the entire year in one portfolio. If you desire to keep everything, you may want to box some up and portfolio the rest. I suggest that you go through month-by-month and pick the best and worst for each month. If you use a workbook for any subjects taught, keep the whole workbook when completed.
Include any special projects, activities, pictures, holiday creations, etc. Mark dividers corresponding to the subjects you taught that child throughout the year. Do not forget music, art, PE, and any other activities the child has engaged in. Place corresponding material behind each divider. We took a picture of our child and placed it in the front of his portfolio in a plastic covering. Keep a list of books read during the year (even if you read it to them) field trips, community projects, special visits, major happenings, etc. These should be noted throughout the year in your lesson plans or journal.
In the older grades you may use two-inch ring notebooks. We use one per subject to keep all assignments, test, projects, etc. Their grades and assignments are recorded in the notebook as well. These become a portfolio, transcript, and progress report as well.