Set up a hanging file folder station in an easily accessible area of the classroom. Label a hanging file folder for each student (arranged alphabetically by last name).
Let students choose what they think is a sample of their best work at the end of each unit. Give some guidance here by providing them with a checklist of what their best work should look like, but let them make the final choice. Be sure to remind them to select a sample from each subject area at least once a month.
Have students place their choices in their hanging file folders.
Place the hanging file folders on students' desks about two or three weeks prior to the end of the school year. Determine ahead of time how many pieces of work you want the students to include and from what subjects and projects they should choose. Create a checklist of what to include, and give each student a copy of the list.
Give students detailed instructions on how to select pieces of work for their sample book. Include in the instructions items such as work that received a B grade or higher, work that shows great effort and assignments that show the student achieved mastery on a benchmark. Occasionally, allow students to choose an assignment that was their favorite or that they enjoyed for a particular reason. In this case, have them include a note with the selection that tells why they chose a given piece.
Ask students to design a front and back cover for their sample books. Laminate each student's front and back cover, and bind each sample book with a comb binding machine.
Refer to the sample books at an end-of-year conference with each student. Help students determine what their strengths are, and identify areas where improvement may be needed (if any). Set goals for the following school year with each student. Include the goal sheet when you send the sample books home.