Summary: What do I want to remember from this chapter that may be helpful to my present or future teaching or to the TExES exam?
A teacher explains how she used portfolios throughout a school year to assess students and to reflect her own teaching. She uses the student�s portfolio to match student learning to a standards based curriculum and even to the standards themselves. She points out that a teacher�s most important tool is the eyes, in watching children and yourself. In her classroom, the students assembled their portfolios with an authentic audience in mind. They were presenting their portfolios to the classroom, as well as their parents, so that all would better understand the learning taking place.
In addition to having student portfolio, the author goes on to explain how she then charted the connections between the portfolio contents of the one particular student, the content standards and her lesson plans. She noted that the portfolio emphasized concepts taught throughout the year, rather than very many specific mini-lessons. She also used that chart to determine what standards could have more emphasis placed on them and what she could do to improve the quality of her classroom. It was an excellent example of reflection and how it can be used to improve the quality of her classroom.
Connection: How do these readings connect to my prior experience in education?
I have created various portfolios tied to different teaching standards and understand the importance of reflecting on what we have learned. This is an extension of that for me in having students do that, rather than just teachers. In the article, students self-selected what work would be included and justified their work. I think that is a wonderful idea to set forth in a classroom. I also connected this to the other article I read, �Achieving Standards without Sacrificing My Own�, in that both used the standards connected specifically to the teaching, but neither teacher �taught the test.� They were able to still teach in an effective manner what the children needed to know and adjusted things along the way.
Discussion: What questions or comments can I bring forth to help my colleagues and I extend, expand, explain, question, or clarify issues surrounding this reading?
One of the most poignant statements in this article for me was �Standards did not and can not stand alone as the only point of reference for a teacher.� That is so true, but I feel at times, the standards are pushed ahead of the actual learning. Do you agree or not?
Have you used portfolios in your classroom as assessment or as records of growth? Do you find them to effective measures of a student�s learning?
Extension: How can I extend the virtual classroom conversation on this reading by responding to my colleagues� posts?
I found this website which has a very good explanation of a way to set up portfolios for a classroom: http://www.mcli.dist.maricopa.edu/ae0/pdf/stu_portfolio.pdf.
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