www.texasgearup.com Topic: It s all about Me, And It s All in One Place: Keeping a College Portfolio Time: One hour introduction lesson, plus follow-up sessions Audience: Students Grades 8-10 Objective(s): Students will 1.) be encouraged to keep collections of college-going information about themselves and their research related to post-secondary options; 2.) participate in an activity that reviews portfolio collections; and 3.) receive a portfolio and instructions about specific content that should be added to it regularly. Materials and equipment: (Optional) Artist s portfolio or writing sample portfolio Student folders for portfolio contents Handout detailing portfolio categories Handout page to be cut apart for Matching Activity
www.texasgearup.com Topic: It s all about Me, And It s All in One Place: Keeping a College Portfolio Time: One hour introduction lesson, plus follow-up session with portfolio construction activity Audience: Students Grades 8-10 Objective(s): Students will 1.) be encouraged to keep collections of college-going information about themselves and their research related to post-secondary options 2.) receive a portfolio and instructions about specific content that should be added to it regularly Materials and equipment: (Optional) artist s portfolio or writing sample portfolio Student folders for portfolio contents Handout detailing portfolio categories http://www.texasgearup.com/files/byotdocs/ready-for-college PDFs/Planning_Ahead_for_College_ENG/KeepPortfolio_P.pdf Procedure: Matching Activity page (attached) 1. Introductions and review the agenda and objectives. (3 minutes) Show an artist s portfolio and if possible, various types of artwork that are included in it completed works, works-in-progress, ideas and clippings that have inspired the artist. Ask what types of portfolios students have seen in the past, or possess right now. Why do people keep portfolios? Why is it a good idea to have a place to keep important items?
2. (12 minutes) Show example of a college portfolio, discussion about content and purpose, and allow time for discussion of how the portfolio will be managed and how it can be used. What would a college portfolio have in it? Ask students to reply with ideas. (For the teacher) Why should students keep a portfolio? A student portfolio is a way of collecting and organizing academic, extracurricular and job-related experiences. It will be helpful to students when they begin to think about post-secondary (after high school graduation) options. That s where the portfolio comes into the picture. It is a compilation of work that reflects what was most important to a high school student and how he/she managed time and responsibilities very important indicators of future success. The portfolio is designed to provide a place for students to get it all together and remember where they put it! What should be kept in a portfolio? A portfolio may contain a variety of things. It would certainly contain work samples that represent a student s best efforts, but it also may include items that show progress over time. For example, let s say a student struggled through an algebra class and made a pretty low grade, but repeated the class in summer school and then went on the next year to make a B+ in geometry! It would be a good idea to keep those records. A paragraph or two about the hard work and effort it took to improve in a specific area would go a long way with a job or college recruiter. It would give recruiters a much better idea of the student s qualities than they would get by reviewing only grades. The portfolio has several dividers to guide the collection of items and information that will be helpful over the next few years. Parents and students should work together to keep the portfolio current. A few written impressions by the student should also be included to reflect future goals. High school years go by pretty fast, so it s a good idea to get it together along the way! 3. (5 minutes) Show students a folder that is divided into five parts and labeled with these categories. Explain the meaning of each one. What types of things might go in each section? Why would it be a good idea to keep all of this? Personal Information Academic Information Extracurricular Activities Job History/ Community Service Resources (15 minutes) Allow students to work in pairs or trios to do the Matching Activity. Cut apart the items on the attached page and give a set to each group. Ask students to match the items with the five parts of the portfolio. 4. (15 minutes) Review the handout that is attached: Keeping a College Portfolio
Ask students to look over each explanation of the items listed and add any they feel are missing. Allow them to correct their Matching Activity lists. Ask them to explain the rationale for including such items in a college portfolio. (Ease of locating the information when needed, on-going improvement, source for college information) Allow time for discussion of items they currently have and items they will need to collect over time. Take up handouts for use in next session. Extending the lesson: Allow students to put together their own portfolio, using the tabs and pages listed on GEAR UP web site http://www.texasgearup.com/files/byotdocs/ready-for-college PDFs/Planning_Ahead_for_College_ENG/KeepPortfolio_P.pdf Ask the counselor to collect the portfolios and tell students where they are kept, so they can add to them periodically.
Keeping a College Portfolio Matching Activity Directions: Cut the items apart and allow students to match portfolio items with the categories. Use handout page to check answers. Personal Information Academic Information Extracurricular Activities Job History/ Community Service Resources sample letter/email requesting a campus visit and sample thank-you letter/email income tax return (parent and student) from the current year; and W-2 information and records of untaxed income college information log sheet; and highlights from various web sites test scores and academic recognition birth certificate; and immunization record social security number (copies for parents and student) community or school sponsored service projects; church and/or civic organizations transcript listing course grades, class rank, GPA (grade point average and scale), challenging courses sample assignments educational travel résumé of work experience; work commendations leadership roles and accomplishments employee evaluations and recommendations participation in special interest groups, athletics, band, etc. driver s license number clubs and organizations; student government; committees that you served on teacher recommendations parent s education and profession academic camps and summer or college classes attended reflections on the types of classes that the student found most interesting
Keeping a College Portfolio http://www.texasgearup.com/files/byotdocs/ready-for-college PDFs/Planning_Ahead_for_College_ENG/KeepPortfolio_P.pdf Why should students keep a portfolio? A student portfolio is a way of collecting and organizing academic, extracurricular and job-related experiences. It will be helpful to students when they begin to think about post-secondary (after high school graduation) options. That s where the portfolio comes into the picture. It is a compilation of work that reflects what was most important to a high school student and how he/she managed time and responsibilities very important indicators of future success. The portfolio is designed to provide a place for students to get it all together and remember where they put it! What should be kept in a portfolio? A portfolio may contain a variety of things. It would certainly contain work samples that represent a student s best efforts, but it also may include items that show progress over time. For example, let s say a student struggled through an algebra class and made a pretty low grade, but repeated the class in summer school and then went on the next year to make a B+ in geometry! It would be a good idea to keep those records. A paragraph or two about the hard work and effort it took to improve in a specific area would go a long way with a job or college recruiter. It would give recruiters a much better idea of the student s qualities than they would get by reviewing only grades. The portfolio has several dividers to guide the collection of items and information that will be helpful over the next few years. Parents and students should work together to keep the portfolio current. A few written impressions by the student should also be included to reflect future goals. High school years go by pretty fast, so it s a good idea to get it together along the way! What are the categories on the tabs and sample items that might be collected in the portfolio? Personal Information Academic Information Extracurricular Activities Job History/ Community Service Resources 1. Personal Information - Whether registering for a college entrance test, completing financial aid forms, or actually applying for college admission, personal information is always required. Frequently needed forms include _ income tax return (parent and student) from the current year; _ W-2 information and records of untaxed income; _ birth certificate; _ immunization record; _ social security number (copies for parents and student); _ driver s license number; _ alien registration number if not a U.S. citizen; _ parent s education and profession; and _ special needs/ modifications.
2. Academic Information - Basically, colleges are all about academics. Course selections, grades, and achievements in high school are good indicators of how well a student will do in college. To show progress over time, consider including _ a complete transcript listing course grades, class rank, GPA (grade point average and scale), challenging courses (Pre-Advanced Placement, Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate), and diploma date; _ sample assignments; _ test scores; _ academic recognition; _ examples of improvement; _ teacher recommendations; _ academic camps and summer/college classes attended; and _ reflections on the types of classes that the student found most interesting. 3. Extracurricular Activities - Post-secondary admissions officers and future employers are looking for well-rounded students. These types of activities suggest to others the kinds of things students are involved in when they are not in classes. It is important to include evidence and reflections of experiences gained from involvement in groups and activities such as _ clubs and organizations; _ student government; _ committees; _ participation in special interest groups, athletics, band, etc.; _ leadership roles and accomplishments; and _ educational travel. 4. Job History/ Community Service - Both of these areas are of importance to colleges and employers. Job experience indicates an ability to utilize skills and manage time effectively, while being an active participant in the community means a student is taking responsibility for bettering the world in which he or she lives. This section might include _ résumé of work experience; _ work commendations; _ employee evaluations and recommendations; _ skills learned and reflections on possible career interests; _ community or school sponsored service projects; _ church and/or civic organizations; and _ special recognition or achievement. 5. Resources - It takes a lot to prepare for college academically, financially, and emotionally! The sooner students and their families begin preparing for college the better their chances of success once they get there. This section includes resources to jump start the application process such as _ student checklist; _ sample letter/email requesting a campus visit and sample thank-you letter/email; _ college information log sheet; and _ highlights from various websites.
Remember, a portfolio reflects the personality of the student and indicates how well that student is preparing for the future!