InTASC and Licensure/Content Standard Artifact with Implications for Future Teaching

Artifact: Classroom Theme

InTASC Standard #3: Learning Environment; The teacher works with others to create
environments that support individual and collaborative learning, and that encourage positive
social interaction, active engagement in learning, and self-motivation.
Licensure/Content Standard(s):
Exceptional Children #2: Characteristics of Learners
Exceptional Children #5: Learning Environments
Exceptional Children #7: Instructional Planning
Early Childhood #1c: Learning Environments
Early Childhood #2b: Family Support
Early Childhood #2c: Family Involvement
Early Childhood #4b: Effective Strategies
Early Childhood #5c: Design Curriculum
Early Childhood #6c: Collaboration
Description of Evidence and How it Demonstrates the Standard(s): Creating a classroom
theme for the year involves creating a variety of different classroom management, discipline,
teaching and communication strategies all revolved around a common theme. This theme unit
takes various student and teacher needs into account.
Implications for Future Teaching: With this theme unit, I wanted to create an academic
classroom theme that would common throughout all aspects of academic life. My theme was the
alphabet. I had 26 portions to theme unit, one for each alphabet letter, with everything from
classroom rules to a parent letter introducing parents to my classroom. This comprehensive
classroom kit took me a long time to create and I tried to make sure I had everything I may need
for my future classroom including an incentive system and self-efficacy boosters. This unit was
difficult because it forced me to think beyond purely academic content in the classroom. When
teaching a class of over 20 students simultaneously there are many aspects to consider when
trying create a positive learning environment for all students and staff involved. This unit
allowed me to think about how I specifically would want my future classroom to be run and thus
strengthened my personal educational philosophy.