Artifacts

Artifact 1[|Lesson plan analysis] In the lesson plan analysis assignment the lesson plan we chose was "A Hunting We Will Go" which was a rhyming exercise. We identified what areas were addressed in the lesson plan and we expanded on those areas with some activities. We also identified areas that were not addressed in the lesson plan and we also provided activities to extend on these areas.

REFLECTION By doing this activity, we learned that just by using a simple song, a concept can be learned (rhyming), through music and a beat and a tempo. The children become engaged in this activity and multiple areas of their intelligence are touched on. Through this song their linguistic, logical mathematics, music, bodily-kinesthetics, interpersonal and intrapersonal areas of multiple intelligence are at some point affected in a positive way.

Artifact 2 DIGITAL STORY The digital story I chose to present was entitled "Nasim's Adventure". It's about the daily routine of a four year old named Nasim who has autism. It tells of his daily routines that he takes part in and how he feels good to be a part of the Half Pint classroom at Western Learning Center. It's about how he contributes to the life of the environment and how he works independently, with the other children and with the teachers. I chose this project for personal reasons. Before Nasim came to my classroom, I was very nervous and apprehensive. After all, "Nasim is autistic!" Rather that's what I was told. Oh my, I was actually scared to death, I had heard a couple of horror stories about "autistic children", oh my goodness. I took the bait though, I mistakenly put his condition before who he really was. I labeled him. I have been working with Nasim for about six months now and aside from a few developmental delays (language, cognitive and social), and I don't think I could be more at ease,even if he has an episode. I can handle him. Nasim is a unique individual and the children accepted and embraced him before I did. I have been working with Nasim now for about eight months and basically he is one of the Half Pint class. He may be a little different in the way he does some things or express himself but he is one of us. One day a young college student participating in a work-study program said to me "Nasim can't talk can he?" My reply was sure Nasim can talk, we just have to try to understand him.

REFLECTION/ PERSONAL EXPERIENCE For this digital story, I chose to use a powerpoint presentation, using photographs of Nasim interacting in the environment. I chose this tool because it was and still is a challenge for me (although I know much more about it now than I knew then. This Powerpoint is something that I need to learn how to accomplish independently and this particular project gave me the opportunity to actually be the one to create it. Once I took the time to face the challenge and ask for some assistance I was able to complete it and present on the first night. The only thing I would do differently the next time would be to add on some more features like more sound and art. I learned how to start and finish a powerpoint presentation.

LEARNING ENVIRONMENT/ CLASSROOM APPLICATION I would like to create more digital stories about my life' s experiences, my professional experiences and classroom experiences. I would like to create digital stories about events at my center, trips that the children take and anything else of importance to me as a teacher or anything of importance to them (perhaps a birthday party and give to a parent). Tools and applications that I would like to learn more about is the use of art and sound in digital stories. I would like to learn more about the basics of how to download the pictures into the computer and my flashdrive as I still need assistance in doing this. I would like to learn how to record voice and music (soundtracks), and above all I would like to learn more about the integration of technology into the curriculum in the classroom. I need to do more than just allow the children "computer time". I work with three and four year olds and I want to to more than just monitor them. The only problem that I see is me understanding and implementing the technology in my classroom.

ARTIFACT#3 LEARNING ACTIVITY

My learning activity is a lesson plan on the Chinese New Year and the music behind it. It emphasizes the meaning of the Chinese New Year, the symbols and the meaning behind the instruments, the drum, the gong and the cymbal. It is implemented best with a group of four to five kindergarteners and provides a multicultural experience. The learning objective to this lesson plan is to develop an understanding of how the Chinese Culture celebrates and incorporates music into the New Year's celebration. During this lesson the children will gain information through the websight www.expertvillage.com/video/17814-liondance-music-intro.htm This websight provides information on the three instruments used and the significance of these instruments in the liondance. which is the traditional cooperative dance of the Chinese New Year.

ONLINE RESOURCES EDUCATOR RESOURCES Starfall- This site focuses on teaching children pre-reading, reading and language skills. Teachers are assisted with preparing the classroom environment to teach these skills. It also helps parents prepare their children for school. Buzzle- Includes lesson plans for arts and crafts, art and games. It provides analysis of concepts of articles books and journals. Theliteracycenter.net- Assists professionals in teaching pre-reading, reading and math. It does this in four different languages, English, French, Dutch and Spanish. This websight "delivers free professionsionally designed education material to pre-school age children." Lessonplans- This websight is all about how to write lesson plans. It provides a directory of subjects for every grade level.

STUDENT RESOURCES tickettoread- This websight focuses on the kindergarten through around the third grade child. It teaches reading skills, social skills, phonics and math. kidsknowit- This websight focuses on the middle school child. It creates games, puzzles and provides information on many subjects such as biology, chemistry, math, algebra, language etc. It also provides videos on different subjects. Sammysciencehouse- Sammy Science House is a websight that simply explains concepts in science to the preschooler. It consists of games and art on concepts such as the weather, sorting and building things. Thinkingthings- This websight is geared towards the preschooler. It emphasises math, social skills and language.