Artifact Reflection Title of Artifact: Praxis II Exam and Social Studies Lesson Plan Date Completed: March 2013,

March 2014 Artifact Description The artifacts include my Praxis II exam and a social studies lesson plan used while teaching the Southwest Region of the United States in a 5th grade classroom. Wisconsin Teacher Standard Alignment The artifact primarily aligns with Standard 1 Content: teachers know the subjects they are teaching, which states, The teacher understands the central concepts, tools of inquiry, and structures of the disciplines she or he teaches and can create learning experiences that make these aspects of subject matter meaningful for pupils. As part of the requirement to earn my teaching degree, I completed the Praxis II exam in the social science content area. In order to teach a subject, it is imperative that a teacher knows the subject that they are teaching. The Praxis II exam represents my ability to retain information for the classroom and to prepare for a lesson. Similar to teaching a lesson, I had to prepare to take the exam like I would prepare to present a lesson. In teaching a lesson, I make sure that I fully understand the information I am presenting to my classes so that I can pass my knowledge on to the students. In the weeks leading up to the Praxis exam, I planned my time so that I could concentrate on the different subject areas that would be on the test. Prior to teaching a lesson, I always preview the content and prepare notes and create higher order questions for the lesson. In the social studies lesson plan artifact, I have included the academic standards for the grade level and subject area based on the requirements of the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction. The primary standard for the lesson is Behavioral Science standard 8.3, Describe the ways in which local, regional, and ethnic cultures may influence the everyday lives of people. The concepts that I teach correlate to the standards put forth by the state of Wisconsin. By correlating my lesson with the standards, I know that I am teaching my students appropriate material for their age level and subject. The particular social studies lesson that I created dealt with the people of the Southwest Region of the United States at the 5th grade level. In studying this region, the students analyzed the people of the region based on the cultural influences of the surrounding area, the environment of the region and the history of the region. In studying the Navajo people, we watched a video and the students were able analyze the video and explain why the Navajo people have the culture and traditions that they do, where the cultures came from and the history of the people. UWP Knowledge, Skill, Disposition Statement Alignment The artifact primarily aligns with standard KSD1.a Demonstrates knowledge of content and pedagogy, which states, The candidate displays extensive content knowledge of his/her subject areas and demonstrates a continuing search for new content knowledge, resources, and best instructional practices, while understanding student diversity and student misconceptions and misunderstandings as key to the teaching process. The completion of the Praxis II exam represents my knowledge for the social science field of study. That being said, learning never ends. As a teacher, we can always learn more and find better ways to teach a topic that makes it memorable for a student. Prior to teaching a lesson, I like to find a bit more information about the topic I am teaching so that I have a better and more complete idea of what I am presenting. Even if it is just one more additional piece of information, it is beneficial. I like to find different ways of teaching, such as using the video about the Navajo people, so that different types of learners have the chance to fully understand the concepts being taught. In this case, visual and audio learners would both benefit from the video. I handed out a worksheet to go along with the video, one student did not even watch the video, but instead he focused on what the video was saying. Through discussing the video and asking additional questions about the content, I was able to check for student understanding and clear up any misconceptions or misunderstandings they had regarding the material. In one instance, the students were asked to compare the way we view the land today

with the Navajo view of the land. Many of the students felt that we view the land as a great place and that we do a lot of good for the land. I was able to step in and explain that in some situations, we take the land for granted and do damage to the environment. We compared this view to the way the Navajo view the land in that they worship all aspects of the land. Secondary Alignment: 1. KSD3.c Engages students in learning What I learned about teaching/learning from this experience: Through reflecting on this standard, I learned that there is always room in a teachers brain to fit more content! A teacher should always be actively learning. Although it is important to understand the content of my subject area, it is just as important that I am able to present that content information in a meaningful way to my students. What may work well for one student may not work the same for another student and varying teaching strategies can be beneficial for different types of learners. Teaching may not always be easy, but when I see my students really grasp a concept because of the way that I taught it, it makes me enjoy what I do even more. What I learned about myself as a prospective educator as a result of this experience/artifact: As a result of this artifact, I learned that I should continue to prepare for each lesson by completely understanding my topic and that I should continue to create thought provoking questions for my students. I learned that I truly enjoy trying to find different lessons or activities that will make my students understand a topic. I really think about what the specific grade level will take form an activity or lesson and use it only if I think that it will make an impact.