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. (NAEYC, 2011)

Brief Description of Evidence:

In the Spring 2014 semester I completed an activity kit within my ECED 243, Cognitive Curriculum course. The activity kit consisted of 16 thematic activities in which focused on individual developmentally appropriate learning objectives and foundations. Upon completion of the activities, I implemented a few in the classroom they were intended for. I was also able to connect with outside resources by uploading the activities on a social media network.

Analysis of What I Learned:

Through completion of this activity kit I was able to create activities within a themed unit in which could be used in the classroom daily to create a basis of assessment and skill development. I gained a better understanding of how to incorporate objectives and multiple foundations into my lessons. I was able to develop child-friendly materials and implement them in a classroom with a specific lesson plan in mind.

How This Artifact Demonstrates my Competence on the NAEYC Standard:

This project was one of the many in which I developed a thematic lesson plan, in mind. This particular activity kit required a vast amount of different skills to teach. It forced me to research different materials I could possibly use to create my activities. I created engaging developmentally appropriate activities in which would support the diverse learners in the classroom. The activities can be used for assessment to monitor growth through support in the classroom. The skills I have gained through this project are going to strengthen my ability to create meaningful activities in my classroom.