Teacher Cadet Field Experience Portfolio Guidelines
Due Date: Monday, May 11.
Each portfolio must be in a hardback three-ring binder, and all pages must turn easily.
Sheet protectors are recommended. Or, you may keep your portfolio in digital format
burned to a CD. All entries should be neat, grammatically correct, and readable. If you
plan to be an education major, you are strongly encouraged to have a digital copy.
1. Include an attractively decorated COVER.
2. ORGANIZE your portfolio items in the notebook/cd. Use a table of contents
and dividers. Use a chronological approach that is easy to follow.
3. Include an attractively designed TITLE PAGE. Be sure the title page and the
cover include your name, school, cooperating teacher, grade, subjects, etc…
4. The portfolio must contain a COMPLETE JOURNAL of your experience. If
you were absent, it must be noted and explained. You should have written accounts
for at least 30 DAYS of field experience. The journal portion must describe the
events of each day in detail; but, more importantly, it must reveal your reactions,
impressions and conclusions…(what it all meant to you, to the class, the teacher, etc)
See attached sample of daily journal sheet.
5. Include EVIDENCE OF WORK you have done. Examples may include tests,
worksheets, study guides, pictures of bulletin boards, projects, games etc…
6. Include information on the classroom environment, including a detailed FLOOR
PLAN and a DISCUSSION of how the environment either added or detracted from
learning. Include a SEATING CHART with the names of your students. (pictures
would be nice too)
7. Include an ESSAY that profiles the class as a whole… academically,
socioeconomically etc. You may wish to profile a few students in detail… perhaps
your favorites, those who “touched” you, those who irritated you, etc. Include
pictures of your activities and/or evidence of work that your students have
completed.
8. Include an ESSAY that profiles your cooperating teacher, including teaching
style, classroom management plan, or style, appearance, attitude, and atmosphere
that s/he creates in the classroom. This should include descriptions and analysis,
good points and bad points. Be sure to explain all points.
9. Include a LIST OF HINTS or GOOD IDEAS (for future cadets) you learned
from your experience.
10. Include an ESSAY on either your worst experience or your best experience. (or
both)
11. Include your LESSON PLAN, the SELF-EVALUATION of your lesson plan,
and your COOPERATING TEACHER’S EVALUATION of your lesson.
13. All portfolio entries must be typed, or very neatly written.
This portfolio will count 50% of your 4th quarter grade, and as
your final exam. Follow all directions, work neatly and be
creative. Follow the time-line prepared for you, and the portfolio
should not overwhelm you.
Make this portfolio something that you will want to keep to look
back on – or use in college.
List of Hints from the Class of 2008:
1. Learn your student’s names as quickly as possible
2. Take lots of pictures
3. Get involved with the class as quickly as possible
4. Communicate with your cooperating teacher. Take the
initiative in letting him/her know you want to help.
5. Don’t wait until the last minute to write your journal
entries. Write EVERY DAY!
6. If you are in elementary school, wear clothes that allow you
to get on the floor.
7. Keep an upbeat personality. Smile a lot!