Candidates must create and maintain a Field Experience Notebook during each experience. The materials required for this assignment may be collected in a hard- copy binder or using the template for a Taskstream Folio. Regardless of the format, this binder or folio, including all time records and reflections, must be kept up to date and access provided to the University Supervisor prior to and during each scheduled visit. The notebook will be evaluated by the candidate’s supervisor at the end of Internship I and II. The Notebook criteria and the grading tool are located in this Appendix and on Taskstream.

Candidates are required and expected to develop and maintain positive relationships between the home and classroom environments. Drafts of any formal communication to families must be reviewed and approved by the mentor teacher, school principal and the university supervisor before any documents or links are finalized and sent home. Candidates should use effective written communication techniques in any communication and are to be especially attentive to tone, spelling, grammar and mechanics in their written communication with families and caregivers. 

Intern I and IIs will prepare and distribute two communication documents (introduction letter and newsletter about their unit) during each field experience.

• Introduction - This introductory item should include a clear photo, the candidate’s full name and personal information relevant to their program and the field experience. It must be distributed by the second week of the field experience and could include the release form (see OFCE handbook and this Appendix)
• Unit Information-  This informational piece will be shared in conjunction with the intern’s unit and at a minimum should include a description and timeline for the unit, a list of related resources for parents/caregivers, and directions for a potential related home-based activity. This document should be distributed prior to or during the first week of the unit.

Additional courses are scheduled during the same semester as both of the field experiences and candidates are expected to complete any course assignments in addition to Internship I and Internship II assignments. Details about field assignments for the two field experiences will be shared by instructors in each course that coincides with the specific field experience.