Allow the student to take ownership of her portfolio by giving her a chance to write her name on the cover and decorate it in her own style. Provide markers, crayons, stickers, glitter and glue. Students will be more interested in adding to the portfolio if they've spent time individualizing the covers.
Add to the portfolio at least once a week. Give students a choice of two or three pieces of work. Diversify the selection each week, giving students a chance to choose from writing samples, math papers, quizzes and artwork. Offer work that showcases student improvement, not just the best score. Giving students authority over what to add to the portfolio will encourage them to be proud of their work and motivate them to achieve academic success.
Include self-evaluations in the portfolio. Every month, give students a chance to fill out a multiple choice evaluation, highlighting effort, academic improvement, behavior and attitude toward learning. Alternatively, invite students to write a letter to themselves with goals for the school year. Tape the letter onto the front cover and ask students to check the letter once a month to remind themselves of their goals. At the end of the semester, have the students write a follow up letter that celebrates their successes and sets new goals.
Bring the portfolios to parent conferences and use them as a springboard to talk about student work. If the conference is student led, the portfolio will allow the child to show off some of her favorite assignments, discuss her self-evaluations and her goals and struggles.