Resource Portfolio

Rational. A Resource Portfolio is a collection of activities and lesson ideas that you can use. They come in a variety of forms including 5½" x 8" card files, notebooks, accordion-style folders, and large plastic boxes with hanging files. Teachers use Resource Files to collect and organize lesson ideas, unit plans, tests, resource materials, and activities.

What To Do. Your assignment is to create a Resource Portfolio (1) with mathematics lesson ideas and activities, (2) and to organize it in a logical and systematic way. Your goal should be to create a math “tool kit” that you can use during student teaching or on the job. A picture of one kind of resource file is in Charlesworth, page 15; notice that it is organized by concepts. There are many other ways to organize Resource Files such as by subject (math, science, social studies, reading), alphabetically by title (A-Block Game, Count Off, I Have/Who Has), by skill (addition, fractions, number sense), and by thematic unit (Our Environment, Traffic Safety, Weather).

You should work on your Resource Portfolio throughout the semester—starting now—even though it is not due until the end of the semester. One easy way to get started is to “write up” the activities we do in class. In fact, this is the reason we ask that you take copious notes. After each class, or once a week, you should go through your class notes (also review Dr. J’s lesson plans) and create a lesson or activity idea “card.” You will also want to include the lessons plans you create for your M201 practice teaching. Try to use a similar format for each lesson or activity—the one you use for M201 would be ideal. You should get in the habit of listing (1) skills covered and/or objectives, (2) materials needed, (3) detailed description, (4) assessment ideas, (5) extension or adaptation ideas, and (6) SOURCE of the idea on everything you do. You will also want to get into the habit of word processing your lesson and activity ideas because it is easier to change or modify them. Another good habit to is to create and/or collect the materials you will need for the lesson or activity , and then store the materials with the lesson or activity plan. That way, when you begin to teach and are very busy, you won't have to make the time to look for needed manipulative, resources, student materials, etc.

Grading Rubric. As this is YOUR project, a committee will be formed to select specific requirement and guidelines, and to recommend assessment criteria—part of our overall plan to make tasks authentic. The specific requirements and a rubrics will be distributed three weeks before the project is due. See Dr. J to volunteer to be on the Resource Portfolio Planning Committee.

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