Things to include in student portfolios for math. See all Portfolio ideas here.
One to One Correspondence
Children stamp a Bingo marker dot in each square on the graph paper. Graph paper can be made with a ruler and marker or on computer with MS Word by creating a Table. Another way to assess this on paper is to make larger squares and have the children stamp a rubber stamp in each square. Get a printable 1:1 sheet here.
Representing Numbers with Drawings
Children choose something they want to draw, and draw the correct amount. In this picture, I asked children to draw 2 things. You can also have them use stamps, stickers, paper cutouts, or magazine cutouts instead of drawing.
Counting Books
Children glue paper cutouts to each numbered page. I take a photo of the highest number the child was capable of counting, and add that to their e-portfolio. If you use paper portfolios, you would just save the counting book.
Sorting by Color
Children sort the leaf cutouts by color and glue them on divided paper.
More Sorting by Color
Children sort the cutouts by color and glue them on paper divided into 6 sections.
Sorting by Shape
Children sort the cutouts by shape and glue them on divided paper.
Sorting by Size
Children sort the stars by size and glue them on small, medium, and large sheets of paper.
Patterns
Children have a selection of paper cutouts available to choose from. They glue the pieces on a strip of paper in a pattern. Have children make two of these to make sure they know the skill. Save a pattern sample from each grading period. Get this pattern grid printable at this link.
Patterns with Straws
Cut colored drinking straws into one-inch pieces and have children string those onto a pipe cleaner in a pattern. A photo of the finished pattern “snake” can be added to the child’s e-portfolio.
Sizes
Children are given cut pieces of straws and yarn. They have to figure out how many pieces of straws to put on each snake to make one small snake and one large snake. Take a photo of the finished “snakes” to save in portfolios.
Matching Skills
Children match small squares of cloth and glue them onto a piece of paper.
Numeral Writing Sample
Sometimes children write numerals when they are at the writing center. These numeral writing samples are saved for the portfolio.
Shapes
Children make shapes with colored masking tape or sequins or other collage materials.
Observational Assessments/ Anecdotal Records
One to one correspondence
Give the children Unifix cubes and a geoboard. Have them place one Unifix cube on every nail of the geoboard.
Give the children wooden cubes and counters (bears, dinos, etc). Have them place one animal on each cube.
Sorting by color
Use any math manipulative (bear counters, dino counters, bug counters, Unifix cubes) and have children sort by color. You can also use colored candies, such as Runts, M&M’s, Skittles, or gummy bears.
Sorting by Shape
Use buttons that come in various shapes (the best ones are those made for math manipulatives).
Sorting by Size
Buy plastic jewels in two sizes from a craft store for sorting by size, or buy pom-poms from a craft store in three or more sizes.
Size Seriation
Use Russian dolls to put in order by size. I also have a set of puzzles that have size-ordered pieces, and a set of size-ordered blocks that fit on a board.
Patterns
Have children make patterns with any math manipulative. You can use a paper mat with grids drawn on it to help the children place the manipulatives in a row.