how becoming more aware of one’s own child development contributes to
making one’s classroom and teaching more culturally inclusive and responsive. The goal of this project is not to create a simplified or overly generalized description of your development as an individual. Rather, the project provides an opportunity to experience and grapple with the complexities of human development. A part of this process is to consider how this understanding will help us in our teaching practices, our beliefs about oneself and others, and our values as educators. Include your artifacts as appendix to the paper along with the actual “interview data”.
In the final paper, spend time reflecting on how your own development influences some of the following:
Your perspective on your students’ development
Your philosophy on teaching and learning
Your expectations on family and community involvement
Your role as an educator
Category: Child growth and development
Cultural Artifact Assignment & Grading. In this paper you will choose, describe and analyze a culture-specific item (typically a toy, game, book, or film) using a theory- and/or empirical-based frame to guide the analysis. You can choose an artifact from your own childhood or any other artifact that interests you.
1. Introduce and describe the artifact: (1 point) a. What is the artifact that you have chosen b. how it is meant to be used, c. the age group for which it is targeted. d. Comment also on your choice- why did you choose it. Also, post a picture (from the web, if possible).
2. The History of the Artifact- Briefly describe (3 points) a. how and when it was developed b. where (in what country) c. what culture is the toy typically associated with (culture could be identified as region, country, ethnic group, s.e.s., family etc)
3. Identify what this artifact says about the culture you describe (3 points) a. what it says about their understanding of development of children and youth, in its broadest meaning.
4. Analyze the use of this artifact using your theoretical and empirical concepts/understanding- in terms of how this artifact may facilitate development of children and youth today in the following areas (note not all areas may be directly facilitated by this artifact- choose the ones that are relevant) (7 points) i. cognitive, ii. physical, iii. psychosocial, and/or iv. moral
GRADING CRITERIA (Out of 15 points)
1. Introduction & description of artifact: 1 points
2. History of the artifact: 3points
3. Identification with culture: 3 points
4. Analysis:7 points
5. Overall Presentation (grammar, spelling, title page, coherence, clarity etc): 1 point