Title: Treasured Music From Around the World Prezi

Date: September 22, 2014

Artifact Description:
I created a Prezi for my cooperating Pre-Student teachers (Mr. David, Elementary School
General Music teacher of Mineral Point) 5th grade classroom . This group was comprised of
about twenty elementary students. In order to prepare them for their National Anthems unit, Mr.
David asked me to create a presentation on Nationalistic tunes. I knew that by understanding the
students interests and age level, that making a video compilation of great live music would draw
them in. I made the decision to include videos of Finlandia, Op. 26, Russian National Anthem,
and an intricate version of the U.S. National Anthem.

Wisconsin Teaching Standard Alignment

This experience best aligns with standard two of the Wisconsin Teacher Development Licensure
Standards, which states: The teacher understands how children with broad ranges of ability
learn, and provides instruction that supports their intellectual, social, and personal
development.
This experience aligns with this standard because it shows that I take into consideration the age
level and the interest levels of the students. The students are at a unique point in their lives where
they are beginning to go through many physical, social, and emotional changes, and they want to
experience different sensations and feelings. I tried to consider all of the students and what they
needed and felt that by providing them with great music that it would help fuel their desire to
know more. When I played the flash mob video of Finlandia, they were immediately hooked by
the commonality of the people that were singing the hymn.
I am more competent in this standard now because through this opportunity, I was able to create
an experience that drew in the students to another cultures shoes. Not only did I have the ability
to create a presentation that was aurally captivating, but it also intrigued the students to know
more about the particular cultures and to want to hear more of their music.

UW-Platteville School of Education Knowledge, Skill, Disposition, Statement Alignment

This experience best aligns with KSD1.b: The candidate displays knowledge of the typical
developmental characteristics, learning styles, skills, interests, developmental backgrounds,
and cultural heritages of students and is always aware of the broad ranges and variety present
for each of these student characteristics and lifestyles.
The experience of creating this Prezi best aligns with this KSD because of the attentiveness to
the world at large. By presenting them with a glimpse to another land, it opened up their minds to
think about and ponder what other countries are like and what those particular people feel when
they are inspired by their national anthem. Mr. David gave me a positive comment and
assessment of how they appreciated, were drawn in, and interested in what the music sounded
like to them.

I am more competent after this experience because it allowed me to introduce the collective idea
that there are more people in the world aside from ourselves and the people that live in a given
area. I wish to instill in students the idea of living in a global community that can understand one
another.
Secondary Alignment(s):
KSD3.b. Teacher Uses Questioning and Discussion Techniques
What I learned about teaching/learning:
Through this presentation, I learned the importance of putting life into perspective for students.
Teachers must question and discuss with their students life outside of their very own lives so that
they can have a better understanding of their own life as well as the life of others. I learned that
each teacher would be faced with having to reach students differently when discussing ideas that
may not coincide with their own. I had to be flexible and patient when discussing Russian culture
because of the intense voices of the Red Army Choir.
Also, from this experience I learned how to relate the various languages and understand the
basics of the lyrics to the songs that were not in English. Teaching language is arbitrary, but
teaching the meaning is crucial to students understanding of how one culture can feel about their
national identity
What I learned about myself as a prospective educator:
I learned that I could connect well to this age group as a whole. The students were very receptive
to my humor and to my sense of guiding the classroom. I really enjoyed exposing intuitive young
people to music that spoke to them and got them excited when they heard it. As a future
educator, I enjoy being able to be actively involved of their process into adulthood. This
experience also solidified my belief that I must use music as a vehicle to propel my students
where they want to be and that I will always be there to guide them.