Why Portfolios and other Demonstrations of Learning?
At schools that anchor in portfolios or other demonstrations of learning:
Students are provided with time, space and support to set goals, assess learning, track progress and present their growth. Students present a purposeful body of evidence that shows effort, progress and achievement over time, including reflection on their learning journey.
Students are seen as co-designers of their assessment, owning and sharing their learning.
The community builds a culture of critique and revision, iteration and revision, performance assessment alongside summative assessments - anchoring in portfolios as a means of focusing on student independence, student agency and students as learning partners.
Portfolios and other Demonstrations of Learning Shift Practice from Transactional to Transformative
- Instead of “right/wrong” or “they did/they didn’t” ⟶ where do we see “evidence of”..
- Instead of “did they complete it?” -⟶“what did they learn?”
- Instead of artifacts as the driver ⟶ development of skills and competences as the driver
- Instead of showcasing perfect products ⟶ showcasing process and products as evidence of growth/learning
- Instead of discrete skills as focus ⟶ Graduate Profile competencies as focus
Driving Questions for this PLC
How might we utilize DoL/portfolios to provide opportunities for students to explore and become who they want to be in the world?
How might we utilize DoL/portfolios to provide a tangible pathway to bring the goals of Deeper Learning to life, enabling students to embody and progress toward the Graduate Profile competencies?
General Resources
K-8 Portfolio Toolkit (this is the central resource)
Deeper Learning Framework
Deeper Learning Asynchronous Learning Modules
Summer Portfolio Clinic Agenda (20-21)
Summer Portfolio Clinic Agenda (21-22)
Demonstration of Learning Videos
Demonstration of Learning Across Grade Levels
Compilation of demonstrations of learning across grade levels
Station-based Student-Led Conferences
Portfolios and station-based student-led conferences in kindergarten (6 min - watch all)
4th Grade Portfolio Reflection
4th Grade SFUSD class reflects on writing portfolios (watch 17:10-19:40) - Brenda Douville, 4th G, Lau
5th Grade Portfolio Presentation
Jefferson County 5th Grade Portfolio Presentations (2:35 total - watch all - presentations montage)
Elementary School Portfolio Presentation
Shelby Elementary School Portfolio Presentation (1:55 total - watch all - student reflects)
Washington High School Portfolio Showcase
SFUSD’s Washington HS reflecting on their Digital Portfolio Showcase (2:38 total - watch all)
6th Grade Portfolio Montage
6th Grade Portfolio Montage (Ron Berger; watch 8:27-11:00 - focus on sharing work/learning)
Ongoing Reflection Activities That Make Portfolios Powerful
Session Resources
Session 1
Session 2
- Session 2 Agenda
- Session 2 Resources
- Videos highlighting formative assessment for learning practices across grade bands (both can be adapted K-8):
- Elementary example - Austin’s Butterfly (1st Grade students) 6:32 min
- Secondary example - Speed Dating Feedback Protocol (10th Grade students) 4:45 min
- Videos highlighting formative assessment for learning practices across grade bands (both can be adapted K-8):
A selection of reflection activities to consider
- Utilizing ongoing reflection routines with students
- Supporting students to set, track and assess goals
- Opportunities for students to give and receive critique
Feedback protocols such as T.A.G. feedback protocol; Two Stars and a Wish; I Like, I Wonder, Glows and Grows
Session 3
- Session 3 Agenda
- Session 3 Resources
- Practice sharing from our PLC On Step Zero
- Sheridan’s Goal setting, reflecting, and feedback processes video and accompanying slides
- Peabody’s Narrative Stories reflection for students on work for SLCs video and student work sample
- Webster’s portfolio introduction to students video
- Peabody SLC Overview video
- A conversation on the role of reflection video
A musing on just starting something video
Session 4
Session 4 Agenda
Session 4 Resources
- Review: One school’s overview portfolio system snapshot
- Build your school or team snapshot
- Sheridan Student-Led Conference Video:
- Create your own template OR
- Customize this template on CANVA
- Go to this editable link (DO NOT EDIT THIS ORIGINAL!)
- Go to “FILE” and then “MAKE A COPY”
- Now you can customize the tool for your team or school!
School Folders and Action Planning Docs
[School Name]
This page was last updated on June 28, 2022