A challenge constantly facing teachers today is answering the one question continuously asked by students throughout the generations: when will I ever use this?
Oxford Middle School language arts instructor Jennifer Bennett has found one solution to this never ending problem – have the students create a portfolio that not only demonstrates their skills and abilities, but highlights their achievements. Then take those portfolios into the real world by having the students interview with local business owners, showing them exactly when they will ‘use this.?
‘I want to make the kids aware of the real skills they need to development to survive in the work place,? explained Bennett. ‘But even more than that, I want them to see that this is not just about the basics, but about the benchmarks they need to achieve.?
Seventh graders in Bennett’s language arts course had to show abilities in nine different areas: effective communication, responsible learner, cooperative/collaborative worker, productive citizen, critical/creative thinker, goal setter, technology user, possessing a positive self image and respectful individual.
‘This was definitely worth the time because it helped me see what I’ve done,? said student Megan Roberts. ‘I saw things I could be proud of.?
The seventh graders worked on the project every Friday for the entire school year. They would spend the time researching their ideas, meeting with Mrs. Bennett, writing rough drafts or typing up their final presentations. Each student was able to pick their own focus and topic.
When asked about the hardest part of the project, several students agreed that actually compiling the presentation and writing the papers was top on the list.
Classmate Gary Bahrke enjoyed researching his topic, football, but found actually finishing his project difficult.
‘Making the report was the hardest. Gathering up the information and putting it in order was tough,? said Bahrke. ‘The organizing became really complicated. I also didn’t like that I had to do a presentation because I get really nervous in front of crowds.?
Once their portfolios were complete and their presentations given to the class, each of the seventh graders sat down one on one with an area business representative for a ‘mock interview.?
‘Interviewers? included around 20 volunteers from local businesses. Bennett said the Oxford Area Chamber of Commerce connected her with the volunteers.
‘We needed an authentic audience, someone to respond directly to their portfolios and explain to them how their skills are valuable,? explained Bennett, ‘and this is their authentic audience.?
Each of the interviewers was given a list of questions to help direct them in their 10-minute ‘interview:? A few examples include: What did the student do well? Is the portfolio well organized? Does the items in the portfolio accurately represent the benchmarks? How does the portfolio reflect the student’s interests and future goals?
‘This is fun,? said Nicole Swiastyn during her interview. ‘I’m learning a lot.?
‘This is very nice,? agreed Swiastyn’s interviewer Pam Wagner, Davenport University. ‘Nicole is very talented. She’s not too shy. She’s done a wonderful job.?
As a step towards her goal of making the project a part of the district’s overall language arts curriculum, Bennett provided her volunteer interviewers with a brief survey.
‘Like I said, I would really like to see all of the students doing this and carrying through into high school,? said Bennett. ‘The survey is feedback for next year.?
‘This project was really great,? added Roberts. ‘You get to show how you’ve accomplished things. You don’t really get to do that anywhere else.?