Reflective

Analysis of Portfolio Artifact

Rationale/Reflection
NAEYC Standard:
STANDARD 5. USING CONTENT KNOWLEDGE TO BUILD MEANINGFUL CURRICULUM
Candidates prepared in early childhood degree programs use their knowledge of academic disciplines to design,
implement, and evaluate experiences that promote positive development and learning for each and every young
child. Candidates understand the importance of developmental domains and academic (or content) disciplines in
early childhood curriculum. They know the essential concepts, inquiry tools, and structure of content areas,
including academic subjects, and can identify resources to deepen their understanding. Candidates use their own
knowledge and other resources to design, implement, and evaluate meaningful, challenging curriculum that
promotes comprehensive developmental and learning outcomes for every young child.

Brief Description of Evidence:

As part of my ECED 243 Cognitive Curriculum class during the fall 2014 semester, I was given the
option to create a lesson plan or an invitation to learn. For this assignment, I chose to create an invitation to
learn that was based on the needs of the students in my classroom. I had to explain why I chose the topic,
explain the objective for the invitation, incorporate two to three Indiana Foundations, itemize the materials and
supplies needed for the invitation, include at least two high quality childrens books, and list five or more open
ended questions to use during the invitation. After observing the students, I noticed that the majority of the
students struggled with their letters. I created an invitation that would allow them to work with letters and
identifying them that was hands on and creative.

Analysis of What I Learned:

The Reggio philosophy plays a vital role in the effectiveness of an invitation to learn. Invitations to learn
are child based, using hands on tools to further their education, allows them to use as many senses as possible,
and gives the child ample ways to explore the world, and these are the principles that the Reggio philosophy is
based on. While creating the invitation, I wanted to make sure the students would be able to use as much of the
material as they needed to really work with their letters and help them make the connections they needed to
learn. After reflecting on the invitation, I learned that I needed to make the set up a little more fun and free and
to give them activities that allowed for more creative flow.

How This Artifact Demonstrates my Competence on the NAEYC Standard:

I believe I am competent in this standard because I was able to create an invitation to learn that was
relevant and developmentally appropriate for learning. My knowledge of the academic disciplines allowed me
to design, implement, and evaluate this experience to promote a positive development and learning. I am aware
of their developmental domains and included tools for inquiry, such as play dough and whiteboards, and
resources to deepen their understanding, such as the childrens books set up for them too use. Knowing that the
students were struggling with their letters, writing, saying, and identifying, I was able to create a meaningful
and challenging curriculum that promoted developmental and positive learning outcomes for each child.