My Reflective Journey Portfolio: Curating Your Growth Story

Project Overview

Welcome to your reflective portfolio project! This is your opportunity to gather and present a collection of your own reflective writing pieces that demonstrate your growth, learning, and evolving perspectives over time. Think of it as a personal exhibition of your intellectual and emotional journey. This portfolio is not just about showing what you've done, but how you've grown from it.

Learning Objectives

By completing this project, you will:

• Understand the purpose and value of reflective writing and portfolios.
• Select and curate a collection of your own reflective pieces that showcase personal and academic growth.
• Articulate the significance of your chosen pieces and how they demonstrate your development.
• Organize and present your work in a coherent and compelling manner.

Project Components

Your Reflective Journey Portfolio will consist of the following:

1. Introduction (1-2 paragraphs)

Write an introductory statement that sets the stage for your portfolio. This should:

• Briefly explain what reflection means to you.
• State your overall goal for this portfolio (e.g., "to show my growth in critical thinking," "to explore my evolving understanding of a particular topic").
• Give the reader a glimpse of what to expect from your collection.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

2. Curated Reflective Pieces (3-5 pieces)

Select 3 to 5 of your most meaningful reflective writing pieces from previous assignments, journal entries, or personal writing. These pieces should ideally demonstrate some form of growth or evolution in your thinking, understanding, or skills. They can be essays, short responses, poems, or even detailed notes from a significant learning experience.

For each selected piece, you will include:

• The Original Reflective Piece: Insert or attach the full text of your chosen reflection.
• Brief Context (1-2 sentences): Explain when and for what purpose this piece was originally written.
• Growth Reflection (1-2 paragraphs): This is a new reflection on the original piece. Address the following:
  • What do you notice about your thinking in this piece now?
  • How does this piece demonstrate growth since it was written (e.g., in your understanding of the topic, your writing skills, your perspective)?
  • What insights did you gain from this experience/reflection that you still carry with you today?
  • Connect it back to your overall goal stated in your introduction.
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    

3. Conclusion (1-2 paragraphs)

Wrap up your portfolio with a concluding reflection. This should:

• Summarize the key areas of growth or learning highlighted in your portfolio.
• Discuss what you learned about yourself through the process of creating this portfolio.
• Consider how you will continue to use reflection in your future learning and life.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

Formatting and Presentation

• Your portfolio can be digital (e.g., Google Doc, presentation, simple webpage) or physical (e.g., binder, scrapbook).
• Ensure your portfolio is well-organized, easy to navigate, and visually appealing.
• Use clear headings for each section and each reflective piece.
• Proofread carefully for any grammatical errors or typos.

Timeline

• Day 1 (Today): Introduction to portfolios, brainstorming, and identifying potential pieces.
• Day 2: Reviewing and selecting 3-5 pieces; beginning to write 'Brief Context' for each.
• Day 3-4: Drafting 'Growth Reflections' for each piece.
• Day 5: Writing Introduction and Conclusion; assembling and polishing the portfolio.

Assessment

Your Reflective Journey Portfolio will be assessed using the Reflective Portfolio Assessment Rubric. Please review it carefully to understand the expectations for each component.

Reflective Portfolio Assessment Rubric