Women in early America and in other countries made samplers. These were often hand woven cloth which had been prepared to show a young girl's ability to weave cloth, hem, make various seams, mend, or do fancywork. Examine the pictures of the front and back sides of such a sampler. Immigrants in early America needed to find employment before marriage. Becoming a seamstress was one avenue which led to possible work opportunities. Later the same skills were needed in homemaking. Some were chosen to work as maids. Skills such as cooking, baking, cleaning, and ironing were necessary for such jobs.

Young men needed to have a many different skills. The word jack referred to one who did odd or heavy jobs. A jack-of-all-trades was one who could do a great variety of jobs. Commonly it was used in relation to one who worked in lumber camps and was called a lumberjack. Such a man needed to have a great variety of skills and physical strength. Consider the following:

1. The ability to sharpen tools such as axes and saws and to set the teeth of saws.

2. Knowledge of how to travel in wooded areas without being lost.

3. Knowledge of types of wood.

4. How to safely chop down, cut, and move large trees.

5. How to care for horses and oxen. (Raising, feeding, harnessing, shoeing, and keeping them healthy)

6. The ability to repair or make parts of equipment. (Harnesses, tools, wagons, or sleighs)

7. The ability to care for one's personal well being in a camp setting. (Eating, washing, grooming, caring for clothing, mental and social needs)

Throughout the world people in all kinds of life situations need to communicate what it is that they can do in their settings or roles. What kinds of "portfolios" would be needed by the great variety of people in this world?

Portfolios can be linked to the curriculum of the students. As outcomes are made clear, students can organize and provide evidence of their understanding and application of knowledge and skills, and the value they place on what they have learned.

These "portfolios" can be as simple as a file folder with related categories placed on the outside or as elaborate as a binder with evidence filed under sheet protectors.

Advanced students may create electronic portfolios.