Choose a scope for the student portfolios. Choose a time frame, whether an entire semester, a quarter or some other length of time. If you teach multiple subjects, as in elementary school, choose what subjects you wish to include. For example, you may omit art and music and include only academic subjects, such as spelling, writing, math and science. Decide how many items of each type, such as essays and quizzes, you want to include.
Choose a selection method as part of your planning. Portfolios quickly become too thick if you try to include everything. Different possibilities include selection by the student, by the teacher or a combination. For example, every two weeks the students choose an example of their best work. Selection can also be automatic for some items. For example, all spelling quizzes go into the portfolios.
Prepare the physical portfolios. Print each student's name on a label by hand or using a computer printer. Attach a label to a folder for each student.
Place the student folders alphabetically in a classroom file cabinet or on a shelf. Alternately, if students are old enough to take responsibility, allow students to keep the portfolios in their desks or other storage place.
Have students add the selected work to their portfolio as the term progresses. If you are storing portfolios together, pass them out. Have students add the selections for the week and collect the folders again. The specific items to add depend on your purposes. For example, include rough drafts and final versions of essays to show growth. Include final tests and the best work the student has done to show final accomplishment. To aid in your evaluation, include tests, quizzes or graded essays. Multipurpose portfolios should include a mix of items.
Continue having students add work to their portfolios regularly as planned. If portfolios are not kept up to date, items may go missing.
Ask students to organize their portfolios at the end of the term, adding a table of contents and a short, written reflection on their work. For example, students write down what they want to improve and what they are most proud of. Adapt this assignment to their grade level.
Use the completed portfolios for your planned purposes. For example, review the portfolios in addition to other assessments in giving final grades. Go over each student's portfolio with the student. Share the portfolios with parents at parent-teacher conferences. Ask students to share their best work with other students, whether one-to-one, in groups or in show-and-tell.