Literacy Portfolios in the Elementary Classroom LIASCD Fall Conference 2009

1. Literacy Portfolios in the Elementary ClassroomLIASCD Fall Conference2009 Oyster Bay-East Norwich CSD Valerie Vacchio – District Supervisor of ELA Christine Bartell – Literacy Coach, K-2 Tracy Zambelli – Literacy Coach, 3-6

2. “Inspect what you expect!”Devoting time to what you care about the most…establishing and remaining true to your priorities

3. What is a literacy portfolio? A literacy portfolio is a collection of artifacts which demonstrates a student’s growth in reading and writing.

4. Our Beliefs About Literacy Portfolios: • Improving learning and teaching is at the heart of the portfolio process. • Teachers talk about portfolios with a variety of audiences. • The portfolio process is woven into daily classroom life. • The portfolio process celebrates student accomplishments by thoughtfully describing the learner.

5. Purposes for Literacy Portfolios: • Track student performance • Differentiate literacy instruction • Communicate student progress with the school community • Ensure consistency across grade levels and schools • Hold teachers accountable

6. What does a literacy portfolio contain in grades 1-5? • Individualized reading and writing goals • Spelling inventories • Word identification assessments • Copies of published writing pieces from each unit of study • Narrative writing assessments • Formal running records • Record of reading progress

7. How does the portfolio look in kindergarten? In addition to the portfolio components for grades 1-5, kindergarten portfolios include: • Letter-sound recognition assessment • Rhyming assessment • Self-portraits • A/B reading behaviors assessment • Concepts of print assessment

8. Our Vision for 6th Grade Portfolios: • Used as a reflective tool by students • Students select contents that demonstrate literacy learning • “Portfolio Reflection” days are scheduled for student selections

9. 6th Grade Portfolio Contents: In addition to the portfolio components for grades 1-5, the 6th grade portfolios include: READING • Conference notes • Reading responses and notebook entries

10. WRITING: Published works which demonstrate the following: • Genre accomplishments • Control of conventions • Understanding of the writing process • Best work

11. The Administrator’s Role in the Literacy Portfolio Process

12. Implementation: September Superintendent’s Conference Day: • Grade Level teacher meetings • Written overviews and checklists • Distribution of supplies and materials

13. Reflection & Action: What happens on collection days? Who:Principal, ELA Supervisor, and Literacy Coach What:Note student progress and discuss intervention for students below standards Where:Principal’s office When:Three times per year (December, March and June)

14. Communication: Meetings with: • Individual teachers • Parents • Current and future teachers • Support service providers

15. “Portfolios don’t change evaluation per se; they only open up the possibilities. If you don’t look with new eyes, you see the same old thing.” --Jerry Harste

16. Final Thoughts: • Portfolios require substantial effort, but the rewards are great. • Teachers can easily see how successful their students have been throughout the year. • Portfolios can be sent to the next grade level so that colleagues can immediately assess the strengths and needs of incoming students.

17. Contact Information: Valerie Vacchio: vvacchio@obenschools.org Christine Bartell: cbartell@obenschools.org Tracy Zambelli: tzambelli@obenschools.org We’d love to hear from you!

18. Thank you! What questions and suggestions do you have?