Unit Study Portfolio

Students are encouraged to create a portfolio for Heart of Wisdom thematic unit. Student's actually create a book (or web site) about the subject they are studying. This can be in the form of a Portfolio Notebook or Portfolio Web Project.

Sample Pages

The pages below were made using from images on the Internet and scrapbooking methods. See larger images by clicking the image.

Sphinx	Simple Machines: Levers
Clouds	Matthew 6
Love Verses	Life Cycle of a Plant

Portfolio Notebooks

A Portfolio Notebook is simply a three-ring notebook that is used to store the student's work for the unit, including writing assignments, artwork, small collections, letters, photos, brochures, maps, etc. Supplies needed are listed below. Children can create a cover by drawing on paper with markers or crayons, making a collage, or enlarging a color photo at a local copy center and sliding the finished product into the pocket covering the notebook*. Store oversized artwork easily by folding poster board in half, stapling the sides perpendicular to the fold (which has now become the bottom), and slipping artwork in the top.

Basic Supplies for the Portfolio Notebook

You will need:

• A three-ring notebook with a clear-plastic pocket cover
• A variety of paper
• Cardstock
• Top-loading sheet protectors (for photos, brochures, maps, etc.)
• A three hole punch

Scrapbook Supplies

You can get very creative with your portfolios. Some students thrive on creativity. For them we suggest scrapbook supplies (memory albums, stickers, die cuts, paper, cardstock, scissors, pens, punches, templates, rulers, idea books, etc.). Students can decorate papers with illustratrations, stickers, frames, etc. There are thousands of scrapbook ideas on the Internet. See our Scrapbooking Links and Scrapbooking Software Links.

Cover

Create artwork for your cover (a collage, pictures from the Internet, your own drawings, etc.) If your student experiences a block to creating a cover design, leave the cover blank until he or she is inspired.

Division

Use History Volumes to divide up the history units. Use index dividers or colored paper dividers. Make a title page for each section. Here is an example

Ancient History
	Adam to Abram
	Ancient Mesopotamia
	Ancient Egypt
	Ancient Israel
	Ancient Greece
	Ancient Rome
	The Messiah

Contents

You will included essays, reports, stories, poems, songs, Bible verses, journal entries, book reviews, dictation lessons, photographs of projects, computer-produced graphics, memorabilia, recipes, maps, Internet printouts, illustrations, etc. Demonstrate correct grammar, punctuation, spelling, and vocabulary usage in all writing. Complete all corrections, rewrites, and improvements.

Label It

You don't want this work misplaced or lost. One of the most annoying aspects of learning is the student's tendency to feel, at one time or another, that "everything I do is wrong." Keeping your portfolio, rather than reminding you of everything you've done wrong, should be a review of how you've improved over time. When you can see that you are growing, you can better appreciate the process that causes your growth.

Portfolio Web Projects

IIf your student has the desire and if you have the resources (email and a Web browser), HOW will guide you to a wealth of in-depth resources, examples, models, guides, and tutorials to assist you in creating a Web Project (placing your portfolio on the Web to share with others).

Using Portfolios for College

From What About College by Cafi Cohen

A portfolio consists of descriptions and examples of the student’s work and accomplishments. In addition to work samples, it may include programs, articles, photos, letters of recommendation, and more. Usually the student or parents also write a letter describing the homeschooling program.

Homeschoolers submit the portfolio, together with the standardized test scores and basic application information (name, address, birth date, and other data required for all applications), instead of a transcript. For more details, read one family’s successful experience with this approach (College Admissions: A Guide for College Admissions: A Guide for Homeschoolers by Judy Gelner).

With the portfolio approach, you are asking the school to understand and evaluate the student on your terms. Additionally, the portfolio acts as a screening device. The rationale here is, "If they can’t handle this type of application, this college is not the right place for our student." Admissions officers reviewing portfolios will be looking for evidence of superior achievement in one or more areas. They will not necessarily be attempting to fit the student’s accomplishments into their list of suggested high school studies.