Title: Early Childhood Student Teaching Daily Journal

Date: Spring 2015

Artifact Description:
This artifact consists of my early childhood student teaching placement in Benton, Wisconsin.
This was a seven-week placement in a 4k classroom that consisted of four boys and six girls.
The point of the daily journal was to make notes about what happened in the class each day,
briefly discuss some of the activities of the day, briefly reflect upon what went well and what
didnt, and any other notes I deem important. Throughout the journal, I include daily reflections
on projects we did, books I read, and things I would have done differently.
ALIGNMENT
Wisconsin Teacher Standard Alignment
I believe this artifact best aligns with standard nine of the Wisconsin Teacher Development and
Licensure Standards which states: The teacher is a reflective practitioner who continually
evaluates the effects of his or her choices and actions on pupils, parents, professionals in the
learning community and others and who actively seeks out opportunities to grow professionally.
There are several locations in the journal that prove I am able to consciously reflect on the choice
I have made regarding the students. One example is on Thursday, February 26, 2015, I read the
book The Little Engine That Could. I discuss how I did not choose the book and after reading it,
would not choose it for any further discussions. The book was hard to read to the children
because of the way the words and pages lined up. If it is difficult as an adult to read, I cannot
imagine how difficult it must have been for the children to listen to. This validates that I am able
to reflect about what I would do as a prospecting teacher as well as how it is effecting the
students learning. I also reflect on some of the lesson choices that my cooperating teacher
made for certain days. I discuss how I would have done them differently for various reasons.
This shows that I reflect upon what other professionals in the learning community do as well.
Being able to evaluate all of the choices that are going on in my teaching surroundings shows
that I am able to reflect upon my choices and actions as a prospecting teacher.
UW-Platteville School of Education Knowledge, Skill, Disposition Statement
Alignment:
I believe this artifact best aligns with KS4.a of UW-Platteville School of Education Knowledge,
Skill, Disposition Statements which states: The candidate makes an accurate and thoughtful
reflection of his/her teaching effectiveness, is aware of specific elements of his/her teaching that
contributed to successful instruction, and can offer alternative teacher action to predict the
future success of alternative approaches. This artifact best aligns with this standard because
after I read a book to the class, called The Little Engine That Could, I reflected upon how I
thought the book did not flow for the students to comprehend it. It was difficult to read as the
teacher so I infer that it is difficult for the 4k students to follow the storyline. I continue to state
that I would not use the book in my future teaching. This proves that I am able to make
thoughtful reflections on the effectiveness of my instruction.
Secondary Alignment:
KSD2.a: Creates an environment of Respect and Rapport
KSD3.e: Demonstrates Flexibility and Responsiveness
REFLECTION
What I learned about teaching/learning:
I learned that in order to be an effective teacher, you have to be able to reflect upon everything
that has happened in your lessons, activities, and classroom management techniques. A good
teacher should be able to reflect upon everything he/she does in order to improve it for later
uses. For each reflection, teachers also need to take into consideration how the students
thinking is affected after each lesson.

What I learned about myself as a prospective educator:

I learned that I have to reflect on everything I do. These reflections do not need to only be about
what went wrong, but also need to include what went well in the lesson or activity. Being able to
reflect on the choices Ive made as a teacher as well as how it is affecting the students will
ensure that I posses the best qualities in a teacher.