Portfolios

Organizing your portfolio is fairly simple. What I’d like the portfolio to do, in your own unique and thoughtful way, is to reflect the learning and thinking you have done here this semester. Feel free to add to this and to be creative!
 * Final Portfolio **

** Portfolios are due, with response letters from outside person on the day of your final exam! This is worth 70% of your exam grade. **

Parent/Adult response sheet:

Reading log:


 * You will need ** :


 * 1) Small three-ring binder or folder.
 * 2) Your assessment sheet should be at the front. See sample cover sheet attached for format. Remember, Ms. H fills out the assessment sheet! Some people will add a Table of contents or a creative cover, but it is not required.
 * 3) Cover letter or introduction will go next. In this letter (Please address “Dear Reader” as there will be several readers). See details on this letter below.
 * 4) Semester Goal Sheet: You filled this out at the beginning of the year.
 * 5) Reading Log of **all** books read this year.
 * 6) Four pieces as indicated in cover letter.
 * 7) Letter/response from one other person besides me, preferably your parents, grandparents or relatives.

** Portfolios are due, with response letters from outside person on the day of your final exam! This is worth 70% of your exam grade. **

Cover Letter Guidelines
Please write a letter reflecting on the work you have done this year. The letter should begin: “Dear Reader”


 * Length: 2 pages, double-spaced **


 * Paragraph One: Goals **

As you consider your work, think about where you are in addressing your three goals you set for yourself. Look at the sheet and address each one.

Overall, what do you think you did well this semester?

What do you think you could have improved upon? What was hard for you? Why?


 * Paragraphs Two-Five: Selections **

What did you include in your portfolio? For each piece, please reflect on the following questions:


 * 1) Why did you select this particular piece of work? (Why does this piece stand apart from your other works as important to you?)
 * 2) What do you see as the special strengths of this work?
 * 3) What have you learned about writing from your work on this piece?
 * 4) What does this piece of writing say about you as a learner or your growth?


 * Paragraph Six: Overall Growth (this may be longer than a paragraph) **

What did you learn or how did your thinking change or deepen this year?

How did you change as a reader this year? Be specific in terms of reading habits, comprehension or confidence.

How did you change as a writer this year? Explain.

Final thoughts or words?

** 11S Midterm Portfolio **

This portfolio asks you to think carefully about your reading, writing, researching and thinking over the course of the semester. The main things you will do are: How have you changed as a reader, writer and thinker changed since the beginning of the year? What were your goals for the semester? Did you accomplish them? Be specific. What are you most proud of this semester? Why? How did your writing, reading or thinking habits deepen over the semester? What worked for you this semester? What didn't? Why? Did you push yourself to do your best this semester? In what ways? Where do you still need to grow as a reader? writer? What do you see as your academic challenges next semester?
 * 1) Select five pieces of work that do one of two things: a) represent your best work or b) show growth over the semester.
 * 2) Explain in a brief reflection why you chose each piece. Why it works (or doesn't) or how it shows growth in your development as a reader, writer, researcher or thinker.
 * 3) After you have selected the pieces you will use, look at the checklist of skills and select between 5-8 skills that demonstrate your growth. Find evidence of these skills within the pieces you chose. Highlight or underline in **BOLD** the skills next to the pieces.
 * 4) Fill out a semester reading log. Make sure to record all the books you have read this semester, including summer reading.
 * 5) Fill out the cover sheet which lists the pieces you chose and why you chose them or what they show about your learning.
 * 6) Write a reflective letter, labeled “Dear Reader” which is 2 pages long and discusses what you have learned this year. You can approach this reflection any way you would like, but here are some ideas to guide you:

6. You will have one reader who is not your peer read and respond to your final portfolio. This person would be a parent or guardian, preferably, but could also be a teacher who knows you well.

**__ NITTY GRITTY __**
 * Your portfolio should be assembled in this order: **
 * 1) Reflective letter
 * 2) Goal sheet
 * 3) Semester Reading Log
 * 4) Cover sheet which lists and reflects on each piece.
 * 5) Pieces, numbered consecutively. Mark this section “Student Work”
 * 6) List of skills with skills chosen marked off.
 * 7) Other reader form completed by parent, teacher or adult who knows you well. Mark this section “Responses”
 * 8) Assessment Sheet


 * Final Exam Grading Breakdown ** :
 * Portfolio ** : 60 points
 * Peer responses ** : 10 points
 * Vocabulary exam ** : 30 points

Documents you may need (if you lose the paper one I gave you: Other reader letter response:   Assessment Sheet:   Checklist of skills:

Cover sheet:

Semester reading log: