Mrs.

Jones 8th grade Year-long Writing Portfolios

Throughout our year together, we will work on many projects. With
portfolios we will bring all of this work together. Why? Im so glad you asked!
Portfolios give us a chance to look at our work as a whole.
They give us a chance to reflect and see how far weve come.
They help us set goals for how wed like to improve in the future.
They allow us to share our work with others (parents, teachers, and
even friends!).
Portfolios help you work towards the standards as well as your personal
writing.
They encourage continued revision and improvement, as they are not
assessed until the end of the trimester for each part.
What is in your portfolio?
Three sections (one for each trimester):
o Part

I: Narrative:
Phase Autobiography
Short Story
Best narrative piece
Editor letter
Adult letter

o Part

II: Informational:
Research paper (topic of your choice)
Newspaper article
Best informational piece
Editor letter
Adult letter

o Part

III: Argument:
Civil Rights Research paper
Argument paper (of your choice)
Best argument piece
Editor letter
Adult letter

Each assignment will be reviewed in detail in class when it is assigned. The

best piece for each category will be an on-going assignment for the
trimester.
Editor and Adult Reader:

For some assignments I will assign you a peer editor but for your best piece
you will need to find your own. This could be a classmate, friend, or
acquaintance but choose carefully! At the end of the trimester they will
need to write a letter reflecting on what theyve done for you and your
progress over the trimester.
You will also need to find an adult to look at your work and give you
feedback. This could be a parent, an older sibling, a relative, a family friend,
or a teacher; no matter who you pick it should be someone who is both
important to you and willing to give you frequent and valuable feedback. It
is your responsibility to find this person, politely ask them to be a reviewer of
your work, and to give them more than enough time to look at your work
before it is due. Make sure they also know they will have to write a letter
about your work and progress over the trimester. Ideally this will be
someone who will help you over the entire year but at minimum your adult
reader should be the same for one entire trimester; keep this in mind when
you ask them!
Portfolio Grading Sheet
Part I: Narrative Portfolio
Due ____________________
NAME:
__________/25

Phase Autobiography

__________/25

Short Story

__________/100

Best Narrative Piece

_________/75

Reflection

________/50

Editor Letter

________/50

Adult Letter

_____________/325

Trimester one portfolio feedback:

Portfolio Grading Sheet

Part II: Informational Portfolio
DUE: ______________FEB 25th________
WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED LATE!
NAME:
__________/25

3 Articles (revision)

__________/25

Mini Research (revision)

__________/100

Best Informational Piece

________/50

Editor Letter

________/50

Adult Letter

________/25

Portfolio part I completed

_____________/275
Trimester two portfolio feedback:

Portfolio Grading Sheet

Part III: Argument Portfolio
DUE: ______________________
NAME:
__________/25

Civil Rights Research

__________/25

Choice Argument

__________/100

Best Argument Piece

________/50

Editor Letter

________/50

Adult Letter

________/25

Portfolio part I completed

________/25

Portfolio part II completed

_____________/300
Trimester three portfolio feedback: