ARTIFACT POSSIBILITIES FOR YOUR PORTFOLIO

TYPES OF ARTIFACTS

• Anectdotal RecordsNotes that you have taken in classroom

observations or during your own teaching.IntellectualSocialEmotionalPhysical Reflections

• Article Summaries or Critiques Summary or evaluation of an article from a

professional journal.May show your ability to analyze any number of teaching skills.

Address the desired topic very specificallyTitle is reflective of a chosen standard

• AssessmentsAny forms of assessment you have used or developed to

measure child performance.Performance tasksPortfoliosTeacher-written assets Informal observations or notesEvaluations from lesson plansFormative assessmentSummative charts

• Awards and CertificatesCopies of letters, awards, or certificates that

verify your outstanding contribution to the field of education fit in this category.

HonorsMemberships in honorary professional

organizationsCommunity recognitionVolunteer recognition

• Bulletin Board IdeasAfter creating a bulletin board, make a copy of

your design or take a photograph of the board.Ability to think creativelyUse materials in interesting waysMotivate students

• Case StudiesThorough examination of a student’s growth over

a period of time.Specific part of the paperKnowledge of child developmentObservation skills

• Classroom Management PhilosophyWritten summary of your philosophy of classroom management.

Cite the research and theories that have guided you

Way you influence student behaviorEncourage development of self-control

• Community Resources DocumentsCopies of actual correspondence or a description

of less formal contact between you and a community resource.

Solicited a community resourceCourse assignmentTo teach a lesson in the classroomGuest speaker into your classroom

• Computer ProgramsPrograms you have utilized, developed, or

incorporated in your teachingChallenging and appropriateEncourage active learning

• Cooperative Learning StrategiesHave you planned or taught a lesson using a

cooperative learning technique?Is a method of teaching in which students work collaboratively in small groups to solve a problem.

Copy of the lesson plan Statement assessing the effectiveness

• Curriculum PlansWritten plans, or programs, or both designed to

organize curriculum.Lesson plansUnitsLearning centersSchool community ventures

• EssaysPapers from education courses, or any other class.

• Evaluations On-the-job performance assessmentActual observations done when you taught a

lessonFeedback on a written assessmentAssessment-interim or final evaluation

• Field Trip PlansField trips related to one of the standards you

have chosen to useWell-written reaction paper or journal entryIncorporating this trip into classroom lessonsInterrelatedness of the activities and the

importance of the subject matter to the growth of the students

• Floor PlansSketch of the arrangement of space, equipment,

and materials you designed in order to meet the needs of a group of students under your supervision.

Ability to use environments and materials appropriately

Statement of how this floor plan enhances your classroom management plan

• Goal StatementsGoals are based on your needs, interests,

philosophy of education, and perception of your role as a teacher.

Goal statementsList your accomplishments associated with

each goalNew goals as you develop teaching

skills/philosophy

• Individualized PlansWays in which lesson and unit plans have been

adapted for specific students should be documented.

Learning need is defined and clearly addressed

• Interviews with Students, Teachers, ParentsPlanned conversations with a specific agenda.Copy of the questions and answersSummary and analysis of the interview

• JournalsInclude if they address your observations of

students as they relate to the desired standard.Highlight the appropriate sections of the

journals Dates and times are included but not the names

of schools or teachers visited

• Lesson PlansCopies of you lesson plans should include all

components of a workable planMay be used for more than one standardHighlight the specific part of the plan that

documents the standard

• Letters to ParentsInclude copies of correspondence that was sent home Permission slipsWeekly newslettersRequests for parental help with workStudent award certificatesTelephone calls homeNotes home

• Management and Organization StrategiesAfter trying a particular management or

classroom organization strategy, systematically observe and code the events that occurred.

Brief summary and explanation of your observation

• Media CompetenciesEvidence and descriptions of the various forms of media

you are able to incorporate in your instruction.Slide projectorCamcorder and VCROverhead projectorComputers and printersLaser disks

• Media CompetenciesAlso want to include evidence of your ability to

incorporate technology in the classroomE-mailRemote databasesListserve membershipsChecklist of the various media you are able to

incorporate into your classroom

• Meetings and Workshops LogIf you have attended meetings or listened to

speakers who discussed a topic related to the standard, include a reaction paper plus a copy of the program.

CMSAStaff development

• Peer CritiquesFormal and informal assessments of you by your

classmates

• Philosophy StatementBrief position paper or statement of your

philosophy of teachingClear and concreteUnderlying beliefs about the teaching strategies

and practices that are best for studentsLeave out or explain educational jargon

• Pictures and PhotographsInclude photographs that show active learning in

progress, special projects, field trips, or artistic expressions that cannot be physically included in this notebook because of size

Bulletin boardsPuppetsLearning centers

• Portfolio (Student)Student portfolio is an organized collection of a

student’s work that demonstrates the student’s achievement and performance over time.

Student’s projectsWritten workLearning journals

• Position PapersInclude scholarly papers written to present an

educational issue, viewpoint, or controversy.

• Problem-Solving LogsAs you identify professional problems or

challenges, record themClear statement of the problemAlternative strategies for dealing with the

problem Chosen strategiesResults of the implementation of each of them

• Professional Development PlansShort paragraph or list explaining your short- and

long-term plans for professional developmentTo improve knowledge or performance in

specific areas of teachingAttendance and participation in professional

organizations or workshopsPlans for earning additional credits in graduate

school

• Professional Organizations and Committees ListList and briefly describe your involvement with

an organization, committee, or other group that you feel has had an impact on you professionally or personally

Campus and community organizationsEvidence of your participation in groups

• Professional Readings ListList of professional readings you have done Include your reactions to the issues and

concepts discussed

• ProjectsProjects can include any type of assignment that

involved problem solving, group presentations, creating materials, investigating phenomena in classrooms, or researching current information

Include paper copies only and make photographs of anything too large

A group project that indicates the extent of your input

• ReferencesReferences might include statements, evaluations,

or both, from your supervisors of your academic work, experiences in the classroom, other work experience with children, or outside employment.

Connect the reference with one of your selected standards

• Research PapersThe content of the research paper might make it

appropriate for inclusion under a particular standard.

Highlight your knowledge of an academic subject

• Rules and Procedures DescriptionsThis document should describe the regular,

repeated guidelines or routines for behavior that give your classroom predictability and order.

• Seating Arrangement DiagramsParticular seating arrangement might complement

a particular teaching strategy.

It might also reflect a particular classroom management need.

• Self-Assessment InstrumentsResults from instruments, rating scales, surveys,

or questionnaires that provide feedback about your performance. Self-assessment instruments also include examples of instruments you developed to engage students in measuring their own performance.

• Student ContractsYou may have the opportunity to write individual

(one-on-one) contracts to help promote a student’s academic achievement or improved behavior.

Formal

• SubscriptionsIf you subscribe to a journal that specifically

addresses the standard in its title, include a copy of the cover of the journal, along with the address label showing your name

Briefly mention any ideas, instructional techniques, or other helpful information you gathered from reading the journal.