Artifact #6: Educational Survey

The next artifact is an educational survey that I conducted regarding the

importance of early literacy skills. This survey was distributed to my colleagues at the

elementary school where I am currently employed.

Why did you include this artifact?

I am a firm believer in the importance of working together with your colleagues

and understanding the needs, and thoughts of your teammates. I am including this artifact

because it does just that. I am also including this artifact because it demonstrates my

ability to create and conduct research of any kind.

How does this artifact show evidence that you are prepared for a career in education?

One of the many hats teachers wear is that of a researcher. This artifact

demonstrates my ability to create research, administer said research and analyze the data.

This is important because as an educator, collecting and analyzing data is a large portion

of what we have to do when it comes to progress monitoring with our students. Having

practice creating, administering and analyzing will be beneficial upon starting a new

teaching career.

What curriculum and professional standards were used?

New York State Code of Ethics for Educators

Principle 4: Educators collaborate with colleagues and other professionals in the interest

of student learning. Educators encourage and support their colleagues to build and

maintain high standards. They participate in decisions regarding curriculum, instruction

and assessment designs, and they share responsibility for the governance of schools. They

cooperate with community agencies in using resources and building comprehensive

services in support of students. Educators respect fellow professionals and believe that all

have the right to teach and learn in a professional and supportive environment. They

participate in the preparation and induction of new educators and in professional

development for all staff.

Educational Survey

Andrea Beckman

Medaille College

ECI: 510

Dr. Craig Centrie

April 14, 2017

Thematic Concern

The purpose of this survey is to determine the level of the literacy skill

deprivation of students from a teachers perspective. There seems to be a growing

issue in the lack of literacy skills students possess. In order to get a better sense of

exactly what is happening in the classroom, I designed this survey of active

classroom teachers.

Target Population

The target population for this survey is active elementary school teachers in

grades kindergarten to six.

Introduction

Literacy skills are the skills needed in order to read and write. These skills

include but are not limited to, the awareness of the sounds of the spoken language,

knowledge of print and the knowledge and awareness of the relationship between

letters and the sounds that they make. As a Pre-service teacher and Elementary

Education scholar, I have noticed that there seems to be a gap between what literacy

skills children should have at a certain grade level in Elementary School and what I

have been witnessing in the classroom. Without these particular skills, it would be

incredibly difficult for a student to succeed in school. This issue is of grave concern

to me, on both a personal and professional level. I would like to get a better idea of
what is actually going on in the classroom and would like to use this survey to ask

practicing elementary school teachers just that.

SURVEY QUESTIONS

Directions: As a Pre-service teacher and Elementary Education scholar, I have noticed

that there seems to be a gap in what literacy skills children should have at a certain grade
level in Elementary School and what actually seems to be the case. As part of my
research in this area, I have composed this survey to ask you, active classroom teachers,
what you have noticed. Please answer the following questions. Your answers will be kept
anonymous and will be used only for my research purposes. Thank you for taking time
out of your day.

Part 1: One a scale of 1-5, please rate whether you agree or disagree with the following
statements

1. The first three years of education are crucial for learning the basic literacy skills
needed to succeed

1 2 3 4 5

2. In general, I believe that students show a lack of developed literacy skills

1 2 3 4 5

3. Early Childhood Education programs focused on building literacy skills would benefit
children long-term

1 2 3 4 5
4. In general, I believe students come to me with the literacy skills necessary to succeed
in this grade level

1 2 3 4 5

5. I feel the reading program implemented in my grade level/school is effective

1 2 3 4 5

6. I have found that a lack of adequate literacy skills is the reason students struggle in my
class/grade level

1 2 3 4 5

7. My students are reading at an appropriate reading level

1 2 3 4 5

8. I find that children who struggle with reading also struggle with writing

1 2 3 4 5

9. I am confident that my students will have the literacy skills necessary to succeed in the
next grade level

1 2 3 4 5
Part 2: Short Answer

1. In your opinion, what is the major reason students lack the necessary literacy skills to
be successful in school?

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

________________________

2. In your opinion, what is the first step in combatting the growing literacy gap?

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

________________________

Thank you for your participation! Again, your responses will be used for my research

purposes only and your honesty is greatly appreciated.

 THE RESULTS

The data collected in this survey is indicative of what I previously suspected. The

quantitative data collected via the likert scale questions shows that the polled teachers

agree that there is a issue with the literacy skills that their students posses, they agree that

early literacy skill development is important and that they are concerned about their

students success.

1. The first three years of education are crucial for learning the basic literacy skills
needed to succeed
(9) 5; (2) 4

2. In general, I believe that students show a lack of developed literacy skill

(3) 5; (6) 4; (2) 3

3. Early Childhood Education programs focused on building literacy skills

would benefit children long-term
(9) 5; (2) 4

4. In general, I believe students come to me with the literacy skills

necessary to succeed in this grade level
(5) 3; (4) 2; (2) 1

5. I feel the reading program implemented in my grade level/school is

effective
(2) 5; (3) 4; (6) 3

6. I have found that a lack of adequate literacy skills is the reason

students struggle in my class/grade level
(2) 5; (7) 4: (2) 2

7. My students are reading at an appropriate reading level

(2) 4; (8) 3; (1) 2

8. I find that children who struggle with reading also struggle with
writing
(7) 5; (3) 4; (1) 3

9. I am confident that my students will have the literacy skills necessary

to succeed in the next grade level
(4) 4; (5) 3; (2) 2
 In the qualitative question, retrieved from the two open-ended questions, the
teachers express their thoughts on why they believe their students have a lack of
literacy skills and what they believe would be the first step in rectifying the issue.
In your opinion, what is the major reason children lack the necessary literacy
skills to be successful in school?
Practice and exposure
Skills are not continually practiced at home
Not enough support from home.
Then curriculum that we are given to teach doesn't necessarily teach the skills that the students
need to be successful. When the skills are taught, it its is so briefly that they are not able to grasp
the concept. The skills are spiraled throughout the units, but are spaced so far apart that it's still
not enough for the students to fully understand what they need to. Also, skills that are being
taught are not even standards for our grade level.
Common Core expectations and the inappropriate grade level expectations for some grades; the
love for learning is being lost.
We are no longer focusing on writing workshops and reading groups that address each standard
while also engaging students. The modules and other programs we are using for reading and
phonics are not always age appropriate, do not always teach students the skills they are lacking,
and do not motivate or interest all students.
Switching schools. Many of our students start mid school year. We often don't know where they
are coming from & what they have already learned. In addition, lack of retention (when absolutely
needed) is an issue.
I feel that students are not exposed at an early age. Many of my students struggle to sit and listen
to a story. They also lack exposure to letters and sounds as they relate to their name.
Students often come into kindergarten with little or no knowledge of letter recognition, letter
sounds, sight words, and ability to write letters. Often times, students did not go to a daycare or
preschool which hinders their ability in kindergarten.
I believe one of the issues we see is that children have troubled home lives and didn't grow up
with literacy skills at home in their early years. Also, a huge factor is technology. Students are not
intrinsically motivated to read anymore. Students would much rather be on their phone, iPad, or
playing video games than reading books.

In your opinion, what is the first step in combatting the growing literacy gap?

Encouraging students to read daily

Early intervention
Putting heavy emphasis on reading at a young age.
There needs to be more of a focus on literacy in the curriculum that we are teaching.
Use CCLS to guide - lose the module materials, and the black and white dittos and implement
more holistic and robust learning opportunities for students. In kindergarten, bring back real
books daily in learning - not posters, provide cooperative learning and playing activities so in
upper grades, they have already learned to work cooperatively and problem solve when there are
inter-personal conflicts.
I believe we need to really go back to the basics of teaching. Teachers need to have more of a
say in what our classroom instruction consists of. We need to use thematic units in our
classrooms, do more word work that involves manipulatives, teach writing in a structured yet fun
way that encourages the students to want to write on their own, implement more creativity into
our reading lessons, explicitly teach comprehension strategies. We need to model read alouds
and think alouds to our students. We need to let them have a voice in what they are learning in
their classroom, when they become bored or frustrated- we lose them.
Mandating Pre-k for everybody.
I would like there to be exposure to the early kindergarten standards in pre-k or if the child does
not attend a program, have students attend early enrollment during the summer for basic skills.
Our school has just recently began an amazing reading program called LLI. Because it was just
recently implemented, kindergarten had a late start in beginning the program. I think this program
is going to to benefit the literacy gap. Students have learned 50 sight words by this time and are
beginning to become confident readers. When we do the program next year, we will start doing
LLI earlier in the kindergarten year which will allow students to gain the independence in reading,
and become more confident.
As educators, we need to find ways to make reading fun to our students and not a chore. We
have to be excited and enthusiastic about reading and writing and find engaging ways to get our
students motivated to read and write. Once they want to read and write, they will then learn as
they are doing so. We also have to make sure each lesson has a few moments to do "think pair
shares" which will provide the students the opportunity to stay engaged and have a chance to
process the information before getting overwhelmed and having that minute to speak. Also, we
need to get our students writing more often informally. If they are doing quick minute jots, they are
utilizing the skills needed to write, but it won't seem like a long and overwhelming chore, they will
hopefully become more excited about writing.

Plan of Improvement

To best rectify this issue, we need to attack it from both ends. I am a strong

believer in early intervention and early education. Having early childhood programs

focused on teaching those early literacy skills in order to prepare children for what

is going to be needed in school and to help those children who may not have the

proper exposure to literary elements in home.

In school, using a team effort between teachers and intervention specialists

to use all of the resources available, along with teacher creativity, to effectively and

efficiently get the students caught up to where they need to be (or as close to it as

possible). The Fountas and Pinnell Leveled Literacy Intervention program or LLI, is

one program available to schools. The LLI program is an intensive, small group

supplemental literacy intervention meant for children who struggle with reading
and writing. Because it is a leveled program, it makes it easier to break children into

small groups based on reading level. With these reading levels, interventions could

be given to an entire class. It is programs like this that can help those students who

have already fallen behind.

 Artifact #7: Weebly Website

With technology on the rise in every industry, it is no wonder the education field

is also beginning to integrate more and more technological components. With

smartphones and tablets, everyone is connected somehow, and with that comes electronic

communication. Educators are now moving towards communicating electronically and

that includes having a teacher webpage. It is for that reason that I have created and

included my Weebly teacher page as artifact #7.

http://mrscfabulousfirstgrade.weebly.com

Why did you include this artifact?

I am including this artifact in my teacher candidate portfolio because it is a great

example of the range of technology I can use, and bring to my classroom and families.

On the website, I have included an introduction of myself that includes a video message,

a welcome into the grade (for this I chose grade 1). There is also an example of a flipped

classroom using screen casting, QR codes and virtual field trips. Being able to expose my

students and families to this kind of technology is incredibly important. This kind of

technology can also enhance my students learning and my communication with my

families. By including links for homework, actual lessons, flyers with information and

access to my email, I am bringing my classroom to the families and students to access

anywhere they are.

How does this artifact show evidence that you are prepared for a career in education?

This artifact shows that I can create and deliver engaging lessons, offer

information, and communicate with parents, in multiple ways. This artifact also shows
that I am professionally responsible by keeping up with the current trends and research in

the education field and can incorporate those trends and research areas into my classroom

in a way that is beneficial to the education of my students and that increases my access

and availability to parents.

What curriculum and professional standards were used?

New York State Code of Ethics for Educators

Principle 2: Educators create, support, and maintain challenging learning environments

for all. Educators apply their professional knowledge to promote student learning. They

know the curriculum and utilize a range of strategies and assessments to address

differences. Educators develop and implement programs based upon a strong under

standing of human development and learning theory. They support a challenging learning

environment. They advocate for necessary resources to teach to higher levels of learning.

They establish and maintain clear standards of behavior and civility. Educators are role

models, displaying the habits of mind and work necessary to develop and apply

knowledge while simultaneously displaying a curiosity and enthusiasm for learning. They

invite students to become active, inquisitive, and discerning individuals who reflect upon

and monitor their own learning.

 ISTE Standards for Educators

3a: Create experiences for learners to make positive, socially responsible

contributions and exhibit empathetic behavior online that build relationships and

community.

3b: Establish a learning culture that promotes curiosity and critical examination of online

resources and fosters digital literacy and media fluency.

3c: Mentor students in safe, legal and ethical practices with digital tools and

the protection of intellectual rights and property.

3d: Model and promote management of personal data and digital identity and protect

student data privacy.

 Artifact #8: iPad app review

As previously mentioned, the amount of technology in homes and schools is rapidly on

the rise and children are exposed to this technology at younger and younger ages. Some studies

even say that over 50% of children have their own tablets. Many schools are beginning to

incorporate tablets into their classrooms and curriculum. For this and many other reasons, I have

created a review of educational applications that can be used in the elementary classroom.

Why did you include this artifact?

I am including this artifact because I am passionate about integrating more technology

into the classroom in a safe, responsible and beneficial way. Taking the time to search through

apps that can be used in the classroom in a way that enhances the childrens learning is very

important. This artifact shows my ability to not only take charge in this matter, but also take the

time to thoroughly researching the topic before presenting it to colleagues and administrators.

How does this artifact show evidence that you are prepared for a career in education?

This artifact, in my opinion, shows many things about my preparedness. It shows that I

am passionate about the field and enhancing my students learning experience. I believe it also

shows that I take my position as a team player very seriously. This application review is

something that I could share with my colleagues and more importantly my administrators when

looking into how we can use technology in a beneficial manner. This review includes what the

app can be used for in the classroom and the price of the app for the school.
What curriculum and professional standards were used?

ISTE Standards for Students

Empowered Learner
o 1a. Students articulate and set personal learning goals, develop strategies
leveraging technology to achieve them and reflect on the learning process itself
to improve learning outcomes.
Global Collaborator
o 7a. Students use digital tools to connect with learners from a variety of
backgrounds and cultures, engaging with them in ways that broaden mutual
understanding and learning.
6d. Technology Operations & Concepts: Transfer current knowledge to learning new
technologies

ISTE Standards for Teacher

2a. Design & Develop Digital Age Learning Experiences & Assessments: Design or
adapt relevant learning experiences that incorporate digital tools and resources to
promote student learning and creativity.
Facilitator
o 6b. Manage the use of technology and student learning strategies in digital
platforms, virtual environments, hands-on makerspaces or in the field.
Analyst
o 7a. Provide alternative ways for students to demonstrate
competency and reflect on their learning using technology.
Citizen
o 3b. Establish a learning culture that promotes curiosity and critical
examination of online resources and fosters digital literacy and media
fluency.
 Subject Area: English Language Arts: Reading
App Title: Lexia Reading Core5
App Price: Lexia doesnt publish pricing information but can be
contacted for more information
Languages: English

Rationale: Lexia Reading Core5 provides personalized learning in

foundational reading skills for students of all abilities. The program actually focuses
on six aspects of reading instruction: phonological awareness, phonics, fluency,
vocabulary, comprehension, and structural analysis. Although it's targeted at
kindergartners through fifth-graders, Lexia Core5 could also potentially be used
with older students who struggle with reading. The program assesses students
reading skills, predicts year-end performance on reading tests, and then tailors
recommendations to teachers on how to boost each childs outcomes, including
specific skills that each child should work on.

Standards:
ISTE Standards for Students
Empowered Learner
o 1a. Students articulate and set personal learning goals, develop strategies
leveraging technology to achieve them and reflect on the learning process itself
to improve learning outcomes.
ISTE Standards for Teacher
2a. Design & Develop Digital Age Learning Experiences & Assessments: Design or
adapt relevant learning experiences that incorporate digital tools and resources to
promote student learning and creativity.
New York State P-12 Common Core Standards
Standard Strand: Reading Standards for Informational Text K5 [RI]
Grade: 1
Topic: Key Ideas and Details
Item number and statement:
o 1.1 Ask and answer questions about key details in a text
o 1.2 Identify the main topic and retell key details of a text
o 1.3 Describe the connection between two individuals, events, ideas,
or pieces of information in a text.

Standard Strand: Reading Standards for Informational Text K-5 [RI]

Grade: 1
Topic: Range of Reading and Level of Text Complexity
Item number and statement:
o 1.10 With prompting and support, read informational texts
appropriately complex for grade 1.
 Subject Area: English Language Arts: Writing
App Title: Quill
App Price: Free
Languages: English

Rationale: This app serves as a second pair of eyes for the teacher, and
an instant grammar check for students. While using Quill, students are
given writing prompts (pre-selected by the teacher to coincide with the
current lesson). The students get immediate feedback on any errors and the
teachers get a report on what writing errors the students made, how many attempts
it took for them to get the activity correct and assign specific students specific
activities based on their progress and ability level. It allows the teacher to assess,
learn what the student needs work on, assign and re-assess all within the app.
Standards:
ISTE Standards for Students
Empowered Learner
o 1c. Students use technology to seek feedback that informs and improves
their practice and to demonstrate their learning in a variety of ways.
ISTE Standards for Teacher
Facilitator
o 6b. Manage the use of technology and student learning strategies in digital
platforms, virtual environments, hands-on makerspaces or in the field.
New York State P-12 Common Core Standards
Standard Strand: Reading Standards for Foundational Skills (Phonics)
K5 [RF]
Grade: 1
Topic: Print Concepts
Item number and statement: 1. Demonstrate understanding of the
organization and basic features of print. A) Recognize the distinguishing
features of a sentence (e.g., first word, capitalization, ending punctuation).
Standard Strand: Writing Standards K-5
Grade: 1
Topic: Text types and Purposes
Item number and statement:
o 1.1 Write opinion pieces in which they introduce the topic or name
the book they are writing about, state an opinion, supply a reason
for the opinion, and provide some sense of closure.
o 1.2 Write informative/explanatory texts in which they name a topic,
supply some facts about the topic, and provide some sense of
closure.
 Subject Area: English as a New Language (ENL/ELL)
App Title: Interactive Alphabet
App Price: $3.99
Languages: English

Rationale: This app serves as a tool for students that are just learning
to read, especially for ELL students. As students learn the words and
letters, they can work with their own frequently used words (like
names or cities) to really make learning relevant and meaningful. Creating the
custom flash cards is easy enough that the children can do it themselves. The range
of skills covered makes it perfect for an elementary classroom with English
Language Learners.
Standards:
ISTE Standards for Students
Empowered Learner
o 1a. Students articulate and set personal learning goals, develop strategies
leveraging technology to achieve them and reflect on the learning
process itself to improve learning outcomes.
ISTE Standards for Teacher
2a. Design & Develop Digital Age Learning Experiences & Assessments: Design or
adapt relevant learning experiences that incorporate digital tools and resources to
promote student learning and creativity.
New York State P-12 Common Core Standards
Standard Strand: Reading Standards for Foundational Skills (Phonics)
K5 [RF]
Grade: 1
Topic: Phonics and Word Recognition
Item number and statement:
o 3. Know and apply grade-level phonics and word analysis in
decoding words.
Know the spelling-sound correspondences for common
consonant digraphs.
Decode regularly spelled one-syllable words.
Know final -e and common vowel team conventions for
representing long vowel sounds.
Use knowledge that every syllable must have a vowel
sound to determine the number of syllables in a printed
word.
Decode two-syllable words following basic patterns by
breaking the words into syllables.
Read words with inflectional endings.
Recognize and read grade-appropriate irregularly spelled
words.

 Subject Area: Students with Disabilities
App Title: Proloquo2Go
App Price: $249-discounts for educational institutions available
Languages: English, Spanish and French (including regional variants)

Rationale: Proloquo2Go - Symbol-based AAC is an app designed to help

teachers and therapists empower kids who have limited or no speech with an
alternative way to communicate. Assistive technology is an important tool for
children with disabilities to have in the classroom.
Standards:

ISTE Standards for Students

Empowered Learner
o 1a. Students articulate and set personal learning goals, develop strategies
leveraging technology to achieve them and reflect on the learning
process itself to improve learning outcomes.

ISTE Standards for Teacher

Analyst
o 7a. Provide alternative ways for students to demonstrate
competency and reflect on their learning using technology.

New York State P-12 Common Core Standards

Standard Strand: Speaking and Listening Standards K-5
Grade: 1
Topic: Comprehension and Collaboration
Item number and statement:
o 1.1 Participate in collaborative conversations with diverse partners
about grade 1 topics and texts with peers and adults in small and
larger groups.
a) Follow agreed-upon rules for discussions (e.g., listening to others
with care, speaking one at a time about the topics and texts under
discussion).
b) Build on others talk in conversations by responding to the
comments of others through multiple exchanges.
c) Ask questions to clear up any confusion about the topics and texts
under discussion
d) Seek to understand and commuicate with individuals from
different cultural backgrounds
 Subject Area: Social Studies
App Title: One Globe Kids-Friends around the world
App Price: $9.99
Languages: Varied

Rationale: One Globe Kids - Friends Around the World is an app as well
as website that centers on "a day in the life" stories told by individual kids from
different countries. Students are introduced to kids in other cultures through these
photo- and audio-based stories. Kids can also hear a bit of each storyteller's
language, record themselves answering related questions, and learn general
geographic and cultural facts about each country. Each story offers audio in four
languages.
Standards:
ISTE Standards for Students
Global Collaborator
o 7a. Students use digital tools to connect with learners from a variety of
backgrounds and cultures, engaging with them in ways that broaden mutual
understanding and learning.
ISTE Standards for Teacher
2a. Design & Develop Digital Age Learning Experiences & Assessments: Design or
adapt relevant learning experiences that incorporate digital tools and resources to
promote student learning and creativity.
New York State P-12 Common Core Standards
Standard Strand: Speaking and Listening Standards K-5
Grade: 1
Topic: Comprehension and Collaboration
Item number and statement:
o 1.2 Ask and answer questions about key details in a text read aloud
or information presented orally or through other media.
o 1.3 Ask and answer questions about what a speaker says in order to
gather additional information or clarify something that is not
understood
Standard Strand: Social Students
Grade: 1
Topic: Geographic Reasoning
Item number and statement:
o 1. Ask geographic questions about where places are located and
why they are located there, using location terms and geographic
representations, such as maps, photographs, satellite images, and
models. Describe where places are in relation to each other.
 Subject Area: Math
App Title: The Land of the Venn-Geometric Defense
App Price: $2.99
Languages: English

Rationale: This app is a less traditional way to practice math skills

while playing an exciting game. As kids play, they learn about points,
lines, and properties of geometric shapes including isosceles, right, and equilateral
triangles, quadrilaterals, parallelograms, trapezoids, rectangles, squares, and
rhombuses. The game addresses a handful of Common Core math standards, making
it a handy curriculum support tool. As the game progresses, it increases in difficulty
and encourages kids to use various strategies in order to eliminate the monsters.

Standards:

ISTE Standards for Students

6d. Technology Operations & Concepts: Transfer current knowledge to learning
new technologies

ISTE Standards for Teacher

2a. Design & Develop Digital Age Learning Experiences & Assessments: Design or
adapt relevant learning experiences that incorporate digital tools and resources to
promote student learning and creativity.

New York State P-12 Common Core Standards

Standard Strand: Math-Geometry
Grade: 1
Topic: Reason with shapes and their attributes.
Item number and statement:
o 1.G.1 Distinguish between defining attributes (e.g., triangles are
closed and three-sided) versus non-defining attributes (e.g., color,
orientation, overall size); build and draw shapes to possess defining
attributes.
 Subject Area: ELA, Math, Social Studies, Science
App Title: BrainPOP jr.
App Price: $175
Languages: English

Rationale: BrainPOP Jr. is a subscription-based educational video, game,

and activity site for students in kindergarten through third grade. The main
page is divided into math, language and reading, science, social studies, health, and arts
and technology. First, students choose one of the six main subjects. When they click the
subject, it gets broken into more specific categories. Under each category, individual
video topic pages appear.

Standards:
ISTE Standards for Students
Empowered Learner
o 1c. Students use technology to seek feedback that informs and improves
their practice and to demonstrate their learning in a variety of ways.
ISTE Standards for Teacher
Citizen
o 3b. Establish a learning culture that promotes curiosity and critical
examination of online resources and fosters digital literacy and media
fluency.

New York State P-12 Common Core Standards

Standard Strand: Language Standards K-5
Grade: 1
Topic: Vocabulary Acquistion and Use
Item number and statement: 1.5 With guidance and support from adults,
demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships and
nuances in word meanings. 1.6 Use words and phrases acquired through
conversations, reading and being read to, and responding to texts, including
using frequently occurring conjunctions to signal simple relationships
Standard Strand: Operations and Algebraic Thinking
Grade: 1
Topic: Understand and Apply Properties of Operations and the Relationship
between Addition and Subtraction
Item number and statement: 1.OA.3 Apply properties of operations as
strategies to add and subtract.3 Examples: If 8 + 3 = 11 is known, then 3 + 8
= 11 is also known. (Commutative property of addition.) To add 2 + 6 + 4,
the second two numbers can be added to make a ten, so 2 + 6 + 4 = 2 + 10 =
12. (Associative property of addition.)
 Subject Area: STEM (Coding)
App Title: Cork the Volcano-Puzzlets
App Price: Free Puzzlet starter pack: $99.99
Languages: English

Rationale: Cork The Volcano Puzzlets is used to teach coding and

engineering skills to young children, and introduces STEM in a unique way.
The students can play for 15 to 30 minutes at a time and then save their work for later,
making Cork The Volcano an ideal station setup or indoor recess activity, working in
pairs to create their plan, which will emphasize that engineers and programmers
collaborate in teams.
Standards:
ISTE Standards for Students
Empowered Learner
o 1d. Students understand the fundamental concepts of technology
operations, demonstrate the ability to choose, use and troubleshoot current
technologies and are able to transfertheir knowledge to explore emerging
technologies.
ISTE Standards for Teacher
Facilitator
o 6c. Create learning opportunities that challenge students to use a design
process and computational thinking to innovate and solve problems.
New York State P-12 Common Core Standards
Standard Strand: Next Generation Science Standards
Grade: K-2
Topic: Engineering Design
Item number and statement:
o K-2.ETS1-1 Ask questions, make observations, and gather
information about a situation people want to change to define a
simple problem that can be solved through the development of a
new or improved object or tool.
o K-2.ETS1-2 Develop a simple sketch, drawing, or physical model to
illustrate how the shape of an object helps it function as needed to
solve a given problem.
o K-2.ETS1-3 Analyze data from tests of two objects designed to solve
the same problem to compare the strengths and weaknesses of
how each performs.
 Conclusion

This section was created for you, the reader, to see some of the items I

have created over time to show that I am prepared to be a certified educator. After viewing this

section, I would hope that it is clear that I am well versed in the areas of planning, instruction,

assessment, engagement, content and technology. It was my goal to demonstrate my

preparedness, dedication to the field but also dedication to my own professional development.

It is my sincerest hope that through viewing these eight artifacts you agree that I am a great

candidate for teacher certification. Teaching is truly my passion and I hope that these items have

demonstrated this.