Standard Six Artifact Reflection
Title: Public Speaking Class & Communication Letters
Date: Sept.2010-Dec. 2010, Oct. 2012 & Sept. 2014
Description:
My artifacts for this experience are my undergraduate transcripts, the speeches I wrote for my speech class, a letter written to my second grade class, and a letter to the families of my pre-student teaching class. I took my speech class during the fall semester of my sophomore year at the University of Wisconsin Platteville. I had this class once a week for two hours each week. In class we went over how to write clear and effective papers, how to deliver our speech effectively and how to use technology to support our speeches.
In the Fall of 2014 I was a long term substitute at Iowa-Grant Elementary Middle school. The teacher communication letter that I wrote was to introduce myself to the the families of my second grade classroom. My second communication letter was sent to the families of the second graders in my pre-student teaching class. My cooperating teacher asked that I write a short letter to introduce myself.
Alignment Reflection:
Wisconsin Teacher Standard:
I believe my Public Speaking experience best aligns with standard six, teachers communicate well. This experience aligns with standard six because in my public speaking class we had to write our own speeches and deliver them effectively, which is essentially what teachers need to do as well. Along with our speeches we had to use visual aids to enhance our speech. Using technology is something that we learned benefits the speech greatly. Using technology in the classroom is really important. Teachers need to be effective because otherwise the students will not understand the material presented. Being a good listener was also a part of my speech class. I had to give feedback to my fellow classmates that they could use to do better next time. Students need feedback as well in order for them to succeed. Through these activities I am now able to speak more effectively and clearly. I am also able to give feedback that is useful.
I believe that my communication letters align best with standard six as well because I had to communicate clearly to the families who I am and what I was going to be doing in their student’s class. If I were to introduce myself and not tell the families why I was in their child’s classroom, they may question me and my cooperating teacher.
UW-Platteville KSD Alignment:
I believe that my Public Speaking class best aligns with KS3.a communicates clearly and accurately. This artifact best aligns with this KSD because I had to
be able to communicate clearly to the class or they wouldn’t be able to understand the topic of my speech. As a teacher, I need to be able to speak to a wide range of students because not all students will learn in the same way.
My communication letter best aligns with KSD4.c because I had to communicate with the family why I would be in their child’s classroom. If I told their parents that I was going to be working in their classroom, and that was it, they may wonder what the reason behind my assistance was. Knowing that I was there to help their students and learn myself, parents are able to talk with me regarding both their child’s progress and my education.
Secondary Alignments:
KSD1.d Demonstrates Knowledge of Resources
KSD3.b Uses Questioning and Discussion Techniques
KSD3.c Engages Students in Learning
KSD3.e Demonstrates Flexibility and Responsiveness
Reflections:
What I learned about teaching/learning?
Through this class I learned that I need to have effective attention getters when presenting material. I learned that nonverbal communication, such as eye
contact, is just as important as verbal communication. Lastly, I learned that I need to be prepared at all times. When speaking to students, if I do not know what I need to do next, I am going to lose their attention and might possibly not be able to gain it back.
Writing letters to student’s families taught me that it is extremely important to keep in contact with students families. Families trust teachers to guide their children in the right direction academically and teachers need to keep in constant contact with families to let them know that they are doing just that.
What I learned about myself as a prospective teacher?
During my speech class, I learned that I am more comfortable with speaking in front of people than I thought. Before the first speech I was nervous, but once I started giving the speech, I had calmed down a little bit, by the final speech I was hardly nervous at all. I also learned that my preparation skills need a little work. Being a teacher I need to have every little detail prepared when doing a lesson.
As a future teacher, I learned that I need to be fully prepared when contacting families. If I write a letter to families telling them we are going to learn about weather, and then we never learn about the weather they are going to doubt my skills as a teacher.
Date: Sept.2010-Dec. 2010, Oct. 2012 & Sept. 2014
Description:
My artifacts for this experience are my undergraduate transcripts, the speeches I wrote for my speech class, a letter written to my second grade class, and a letter to the families of my pre-student teaching class. I took my speech class during the fall semester of my sophomore year at the University of Wisconsin Platteville. I had this class once a week for two hours each week. In class we went over how to write clear and effective papers, how to deliver our speech effectively and how to use technology to support our speeches.
In the Fall of 2014 I was a long term substitute at Iowa-Grant Elementary Middle school. The teacher communication letter that I wrote was to introduce myself to the the families of my second grade classroom. My second communication letter was sent to the families of the second graders in my pre-student teaching class. My cooperating teacher asked that I write a short letter to introduce myself.
Alignment Reflection:
Wisconsin Teacher Standard:
I believe my Public Speaking experience best aligns with standard six, teachers communicate well. This experience aligns with standard six because in my public speaking class we had to write our own speeches and deliver them effectively, which is essentially what teachers need to do as well. Along with our speeches we had to use visual aids to enhance our speech. Using technology is something that we learned benefits the speech greatly. Using technology in the classroom is really important. Teachers need to be effective because otherwise the students will not understand the material presented. Being a good listener was also a part of my speech class. I had to give feedback to my fellow classmates that they could use to do better next time. Students need feedback as well in order for them to succeed. Through these activities I am now able to speak more effectively and clearly. I am also able to give feedback that is useful.
I believe that my communication letters align best with standard six as well because I had to communicate clearly to the families who I am and what I was going to be doing in their student’s class. If I were to introduce myself and not tell the families why I was in their child’s classroom, they may question me and my cooperating teacher.
UW-Platteville KSD Alignment:
I believe that my Public Speaking class best aligns with KS3.a communicates clearly and accurately. This artifact best aligns with this KSD because I had to
be able to communicate clearly to the class or they wouldn’t be able to understand the topic of my speech. As a teacher, I need to be able to speak to a wide range of students because not all students will learn in the same way.
My communication letter best aligns with KSD4.c because I had to communicate with the family why I would be in their child’s classroom. If I told their parents that I was going to be working in their classroom, and that was it, they may wonder what the reason behind my assistance was. Knowing that I was there to help their students and learn myself, parents are able to talk with me regarding both their child’s progress and my education.
Secondary Alignments:
KSD1.d Demonstrates Knowledge of Resources
KSD3.b Uses Questioning and Discussion Techniques
KSD3.c Engages Students in Learning
KSD3.e Demonstrates Flexibility and Responsiveness
Reflections:
What I learned about teaching/learning?
Through this class I learned that I need to have effective attention getters when presenting material. I learned that nonverbal communication, such as eye
contact, is just as important as verbal communication. Lastly, I learned that I need to be prepared at all times. When speaking to students, if I do not know what I need to do next, I am going to lose their attention and might possibly not be able to gain it back.
Writing letters to student’s families taught me that it is extremely important to keep in contact with students families. Families trust teachers to guide their children in the right direction academically and teachers need to keep in constant contact with families to let them know that they are doing just that.
What I learned about myself as a prospective teacher?
During my speech class, I learned that I am more comfortable with speaking in front of people than I thought. Before the first speech I was nervous, but once I started giving the speech, I had calmed down a little bit, by the final speech I was hardly nervous at all. I also learned that my preparation skills need a little work. Being a teacher I need to have every little detail prepared when doing a lesson.
As a future teacher, I learned that I need to be fully prepared when contacting families. If I write a letter to families telling them we are going to learn about weather, and then we never learn about the weather they are going to doubt my skills as a teacher.