Portfolio Preparation Tips
for Teachers, Part 2
Brooke Hunter-Lombardi
In the August/September 2008 issue of SchoolArts, I talked about strategies for helping stu- dents develop content and good
working habits to support making
portfolio-quality pieces. The follow-
ing tips focus on the importance of
critique, presentation, and selection
sketchbook. This provides a built-
in support network for students,
a chance to practice writing about
art, and a chance to later reflect on
the review.
2. Project a complete portfolio of a
past student, keeping it anony-
mous. Have students analyze each
insist that students do their own col-
lege research and become clear on
presentation requirements for each
college and competition that they
intend to enter.
Just as students need time to
prepare their pieces for review, they
require practice in presenting them-
of images to end up with a polished,
image for quality and decide if it
selves. During the first class, I have
college-ready package.
should be edited
them introduce
or remain in the
I’m interested in
themselves to at
Critique
group. Next, have
least three other empowering students
I’m interested in empowering stu-
students re-order
dents through critique, never in belit-
the slides for a
students who they through critique, never
don’t already know
tling them. I think that it takes time
flow that shows
in belittling them.
with a clear, strong
for students to develop their own
the strength of the
voice, good eye con-
sense of aesthetics and the vocabu-
artist. This develops the confidence tact, and a firm handshake. Many
lary to express their views. For this
of the group and can be referenced
have little to no experience introduc-
reason, I give students many oppor-
when it is time to edit and organize ing themselves to strangers and this
tunities to view art as they are mak-
their own portfolios.
can really alleviate anxiety when it
ing art and acquiring vocabulary and
comes time to meet college admis-
concepts. Here are two of my favorite Presentation of Art
sions professionals.
critique tips:
I always build in the time and the
1. For individual portfolio critiques,
cost necessary for students to learn
Selection Tips
review students in pairs. While you matting techniques and to practice
are reviewing one student’s portfo-
lio, the other can record notes in a
photographing slides and digital
images of their own work. I also
In an ideal situation, students will
have created dozens of works and
