Conferences--revised?

As part of the storyline, Celeste and I discussed having our final conferences be a student lead tour of their portfolio. Our vision was as follows: we would have three nights where students would present their portfolios to their families (and invited guests).

This would be a reflection of the "defense of PLP" approach students will experience in high school, only much more comfortable with an emphasis on the celebratory. They are beginning to accumulate a nice body of work that will represent their efforts--and their journey and process--well. One of our goals in the MS is to have students' work--their portfolio--do much more of the "talking". It is the their demonstration of learning--not just in product but also product and reflection--that can speaks volumes about their efforts and progress.

After your student walks you through their portfolio, you would then have time to visit the work of the other students presenting that night. Celeste and I would be there to answer to questions about the quarter and the work. We would also be available after the student's sharing for discussion.

This event would be more celebratory, have students sharing with wider audiences, and strive to let the student's efforts shine. Small groups of students would present each night. Families would also leave with a better grasp of storyline and thematic learning that is being proposed for the MS advising model next year.

If you have other concerns (or I do), we can--and please do-- make an appointment for a more traditional conference by email over the next week.

Please feel free to email me your reaction or post in comments. I would love for our advising to try this. It would not replace regular conferences at the beginning of the year, but would allow students time to really share their work and learning in a way that 20 minute segments won't do justice.

Thanks in advance for considering this!