Learning Portfolio

Over the course of the 20s/30s unit the students have been compiling a Learning Portfolio, which is basically a collection of performance tasks that focus on specific areas of the Achievement Chart (e.g. knowledge/understanding). There are at least 2 activities per area and at the end of the unit, if the kids have completed every one of the activities, they earn the chance to submit the tasks which they believe best represent their abilities in the given area. I took the idea from Garfield Newman's texts. Many students appreciate the chance to choose the work that they submit for marks. The portfolio is set up to match with Gardner's multiple intelligences (more or less). So far, students have been: creating a glossary, drawing "window pane" images, writing poetry, and creating report cards for R.B. Bennett and Mackenzie King. This week they will create concept maps, write news reports, write historical fiction, construct art, then create a graphic time line that illustrates 3 major steps in Canada's growing up during this period. The unit finishes with students performing episodes of "That 20s/30s Show," an extension of "That 20s Show" from years past. Only tried the portfolio thing once before but we'll see how it goes.