{"id":252,"date":"2026-07-03T18:54:20","date_gmt":"2026-07-03T18:54:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pressbooks.palomar.edu\/observationandassessment\/?post_type=chapter&p=252"},"modified":"2026-07-03T23:44:57","modified_gmt":"2026-07-03T23:44:57","slug":"work-samples-2","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/pressbooks.palomar.edu\/observationandassessment\/chapter\/work-samples-2\/","title":{"raw":"Work Samples","rendered":"Work Samples"},"content":{"raw":"

Introduction<\/h2>\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"1000\"]\"White A Child's Masterpiece[\/caption]\r\n\r\nTeachers have been collecting pieces of children\u2019s artwork and posting them on the classroom walls forever. Not only do the children enjoy seeing their work of art on display, parent\u2019s\r\n\r\nappreciate seeing their child\u2019s work as well! To create an official work sample however takes more effort than hanging a picture on the wall. What exactly is a work sample? A work sample is a tangible piece of evidence that showcases a child\u2019s effort, progress and achievement. More specifically, not only does a work sample highlight the final product, it can highlight the process as well, by highlighting the child\u2019s problem-solving efforts, experimentation methods or collaboration skills. Work samples are authentic artifacts that provide information about the child\u2019s learning experience.\r\n\r\n
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Collecting Your Data<\/h2>\r\nWork samples can be gathered throughout the school year. Typically, you would collect a variety of samples that highlight the child\u2019s overall development in each of the developmental areas: Physical; Cognitive; Language; Social -Emotional. More specifically, you might include a child\u2019s drawing or painting, a writing sample from their journal, a cutting sample, or photographs of the child engaged in activities such as building a block tower or sandcastle or riding a bike.\r\n
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Exercises<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/header>\r\n

\r\n\r\nWatch the following video to see how you can collect and use children's work samples.\r\n\r\n[embed]https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=Hf9pQ_3PqWw&t=8s[\/embed]\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n
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Organizing your Data<\/h2>\r\nWhether you post a work sample on the classroom wall (using a documentation board) or you collect a sample for a child\u2019s portfolio, you must add documentation. Not only will documentation help families recognize the value of play, it reinforces the concept that every activity is an opportunity to learn. For accuracy, be sure to include the following information: Child\u2019s Name; Date; Setting; and an Anecdotal Note with a description about how and why the sample was collected. Work samples should be organized in a chronological manner to showcase progress over time. Be sure to store work samples in a safe place like a file-folder or portfolio, or electronically in a computer file.\r\n\r\nAdvantages and Disadvantages of Work Samples\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
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Advantages<\/strong><\/p>\r\n<\/th>\r\n

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Disadvantages<\/strong><\/p>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n

\r\n
    \r\n \t
  • Provides tangible\/ visible evidence that teachers can use to track a child\u2019s learning, growth and development over time<\/li>\r\n \t
  • Parents and children both enjoy seeing the work on display<\/li>\r\n \t
  • Provides authentic documentation which is ideal for assessment<\/li>\r\n \t
  • Teachers can use information to plan and adjust curriculum to help children achieve their learning goals<\/li>\r\n \t
  • Families can see how children learn through play<\/li>\r\n \t
  • Children can share their insights as to how they created the work sample and offer their perspectives as to what they were thinking (authentic evidence)<\/li>\r\n \t
  • Children enjoy seeing their work on display and they can feel empowered when their work is valued<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n
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    \r\n \t
  • Can be time consuming adding anecdotal documentation and creating documentation boards<\/li>\r\n \t
  • Requires ample storage space<\/li>\r\n \t
  • Requires a financial investment in technology (camera, video or audio recorder)<\/li>\r\n \t
  • Concerns over confidentiality and privacy when using photos, audio or videos<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n
    \r\n

    Examples<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/header>\r\n

    \r\n\r\nWhat to include with a work sample.\r\n
      \r\n \t
    • A photo of the work sample<\/li>\r\n \t
    • Child's name<\/li>\r\n \t
    • Date<\/li>\r\n \t
    • Time<\/li>\r\n \t
    • Setting<\/li>\r\n \t
    • Center or Area of Play<\/li>\r\n \t
    • Activity\r\n
        \r\n \t
      • What activity choices were available that day?<\/li>\r\n \t
      • Anecdotal Notes: objective facts, vivid and descriptive details, concise observation information<\/li>\r\n \t
      • Developmental milestones that were supported<\/li>\r\n \t
      • Quotes or the child's perspective<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n
        \r\n\r\n

        Interpretation Reminder<\/h2>\r\nChildren\u2019s work samples provide authentic evidence of learning and development by capturing what children create, construct, and communicate over time. While these artifacts offer valuable insight into skills, thinking processes, and emerging understandings, their true meaning is revealed through thoughtful interpretation grounded in child development knowledge. By analyzing work samples alongside developmental expectations, learning progressions, and contextual information, educators can better understand each child\u2019s strengths, interests, and areas for growth. Meaningful interpretation ensures that work samples are not viewed in isolation, but rather as part of a broader assessment system that informs intentional instruction, supports individualized planning, and documents each child\u2019s developmental journey in meaningful and respectful ways.","rendered":"

        Introduction<\/h2>\n
        \"White
        A Child’s Masterpiece<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

        Teachers have been collecting pieces of children\u2019s artwork and posting them on the classroom walls forever. Not only do the children enjoy seeing their work of art on display, parent\u2019s<\/p>\n

        appreciate seeing their child\u2019s work as well! To create an official work sample however takes more effort than hanging a picture on the wall. What exactly is a work sample? A work sample is a tangible piece of evidence that showcases a child\u2019s effort, progress and achievement. More specifically, not only does a work sample highlight the final product, it can highlight the process as well, by highlighting the child\u2019s problem-solving efforts, experimentation methods or collaboration skills. Work samples are authentic artifacts that provide information about the child\u2019s learning experience.<\/p>\n

        \n

        Collecting Your Data<\/h2>\n

        Work samples can be gathered throughout the school year. Typically, you would collect a variety of samples that highlight the child\u2019s overall development in each of the developmental areas: Physical; Cognitive; Language; Social -Emotional. More specifically, you might include a child\u2019s drawing or painting, a writing sample from their journal, a cutting sample, or photographs of the child engaged in activities such as building a block tower or sandcastle or riding a bike.<\/p>\n

        \n
        \n

        Exercises<\/p>\n<\/header>\n

        \n

        Watch the following video to see how you can collect and use children’s work samples.<\/p>\n