Now mandated in a number of states, student portfolios are being adopted by many local school systems. Using the metaphor of travel, this guide presents practical and innovative ideas for working with student-managed portfolios--from planning and preparation to maintenance and evaluation. After describing what portfolios are and offering a rationale for their use in the classroom, the book links portfolios to such educational principles as multiple intelligences, multidisciplinary approaches, and authentic learning. It then gives step-by-step instructions for managing the portfolio process. The book shows educators how to establish criteria and choose content, and suggests ways to construct portfolios to meet different purposes. Assessment, rubrics, involving parents, and multimedia portfolios are some of the other topics covered. For each topic there are reproducible worksheets and classroom-ready handouts for students. There is also a chapter on the teacher's portfolio. Illustrations throughout the book enhance the text. This guide is intended for grades one through eight. (AEF)