How do you store artwork long-term? In portfolios. Table folders are great for consecutive week projects, but what do you do with the artwork when it’s done? You can send them home or keep them in a student portfolio.
PORTFOLIO ENVELOPE OPTIONS
- 10×13 Large Envelopes
- 13×19 Jumbo Wide-Open Envelopes No Gum
- NOTE: If you have to buy the 10×13 envelopes with a gum sticker, review the expectation NOT to take off the sticker. Place a strip of cut white paper over the gum section if it is removed.
PORTFOLIO LABELS OPTIONS FOR STUDENTS
- Students write their names and draw on the envelope.
- Pre-print on each envelope with blanks for student’s name – students draw and add doodles.
- Print an Avery Label and adhere the sticker to the same place for consistency – students draw and decorate the envelope.
TEACHER PERSPECTIVE OF STUDENT PORTFOLIO – A REFLECTION
OLDER STUDENTS – I love the Jumbo Envelopes for the older students. I keep the Jumbo Envelopes in a literal zipped portfolio for each class. The size I use is 28″x22″. It fits two portfolio envelopes side-by-sideAll 2-D artwork stays in the portfolio until the end of the year. This allows us to do an end-of-year portfolio presentation. They select their 3 favorite pieces to present. I’ve found when they take artwork home, it gets lost.
YOUNGER STUDENTS – Elementary portfolios are more tricky. It takes class time and teacher time to file artwork and a place to store the portfolios. I stored them in file cabinets by the teacher with jumbo clips labeled with the class name and table (1A – 4). By the end of the year, I had to move some classes’ portfolios to crates. Students LOVE to see ALL their artwork! It’s a treasure box of joy for them to look through.
File Cabinet Portfolio Classroom Storage
Class & Teacher Labels
- Use recycled cardboard to make tabs for each teacher.
- Print the class code and teacher name on coordinating colored paper.
- Cut to fold over the tab.
- Tape with packing tape to keep in place.
Easy Portfolio Class Storage for 10×13 Envelopes – This might not feel “easy,” but it makes the rest of the year run like a machine. If you have a student who moves, you can quickly look at the seating chart to see which class and table the portfolio can be found. Teach students how to fold the clip handles back and pinch to open. Pass out portfolios for each table to store their work and reclip.
- Medium Binder Clips – one for each table in your room x the number of classes.
- Print a spreadsheet with the class color and code on the left; the table color and number on the right. Download the .xls spreadsheet to alter for your school here.
- Cut the printed spreadsheet and tape it with clear transparent tape over the top of each binder clip.
- Keep a snack-size bag to store each class set for the summer.
- Instruct students how to find, pass out, and store their class portfolios to teach them responsibility and allow them to participate in the classroom.
- If a project needs to be filed, place it with the class portfolios to add when you distribute portfolios to students next time.
10×13 Portfolio Cover Files
It is optional to print on portfolio envelopes. Elementary students must have a specific and consistent line to write their name and date. Otherwise, it can be hard to know to whom the portfolio belongs. Even though the cover is printed, drawing and doodling can still be part of the portfolio’s connection with elementary students. I write the names of Kindergarten students, but the rest of the children fill in the blanks. Download the 10×13 Portfolio Cover files here. I email the pdf file to my local printer, who prints it on the 10×13 envelopes I’ve dropped off.
