Personal Cultural Artifacts

Artifact 1: Young Women's Medallion 

In the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, earning a "Young Women's Medallion" is an achievement that requires time and work. To earn it, a young women must complete a number of activities related to developing different values. This is an important artifact to me because represents hard work, faith, and my desire to live a virtuous life. It reflects values that I hold dear and attributes that I want to develop. It impacts the way that I interact with the world by reminding me to be virtuous and honest in my dealings with other people. The medallion reminds me of how important it is to have charity, and it makes me happy whenever I see it (which, in turn, impacts the happiness I experience when talking with others).

Moreno, K. (2016). Receiving my Young Women's Medallion.

Retrieved from https://www.lds.org/new-era/2016/01/instant-messages/receiving-my-young-women-medallion?lang=eng

Artifact 2: Latter-day Saint Pass-along card

These are commonly carried by LDS missionaries as well as members of the LDS faith. They allow members and missionaries to share their faith by providing others with a non-threatening card/invitation to learn more. This is one of my cultural artifacts because it reflects my desire to share Jesus Christ's gospel. Pass along cards are something I like to carry with me wherever I go--they remind me to talk to other people about Christ and to act as He would in each situation. They impact the way I greet people and strive to see others as children of God.

LDS store. (2018). Finding Faith in Christ Video Pass-Along Cards.

Retrieved from https://store.lds.org/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product3_715839595_10557_3074457345616706203_-1__195605?catalogId=10557&langId=-1&storeId=715839595&krypto=K9bEE8uKjU%2FBeEJLPfE8mfeSjU8cAX3nPeA5GJwxpN%2FRaVoI7GnWGfySdzvfgdsjwpCWhFZdJrW4%2FI%2Fy7b%2BE6e%2BxBJAe9%2FmN9ciVe4PW3cQ%2BhOcAC5nT9AgLLUHZftR4GHS6ebuasArdBoG4GZYjILfsBmmN63RgrQTHrCWyj5M%3D&ddkey=https%3ASetCurrencyPreference#fromsearch

Artifact 3: Earrings

These are commonly worn today and, to me, represent the desire to appear "put together." To me, earrings are one way that I can be express myself and be unique in our society and culture today. Earrings impact the way I interact with the world by sending a message to other people of how I am feeling that day, if I am feeling "organized and put-together" or if I am feeling lazy and relaxed (often demonstrated by the absence of earrings).

Express. (2017).

Retrieved from https://www.express.com/clothing/women/teardrop-rhinestone-earrings/pro/0762278/cat2500047

Artifact 4: Tortilla maker

These are commonly used in the Hispanic culture. Tortilla makers became a part of my personal culture after learning Spanish and spending a lot of time with Hispanics. Tortilla makers impact the way I approach the world because they impact my attitude and mood. When I am reminded of tortilla makers, I often feel more excited and engaged. If there is ever an opportunity to make tortillas, I feel the need to include other people and invite them to participate in the fun. I think that tortilla makers have also made me more relaxed and helped me to adopt a more easy-going lens to the world, common in Hispanic culture. 

Amazon.com. (2018).

Retrieved from https://www.amazon.com/Cookmaster-Aluminum-Heavy-Tortilla-Press/dp/B01MQDG2BF

Artifact 5: Facebook

Facebook is a digital artifact that represents the connected and highly communicative culture we live in today. It impacts the way I interact with the world because it provides me hundreds of more ways to communicate with the world--through messaging, through posting, through group events, through group chats, etc. Facebook connects me the world and impacts the way I think and what I do (also knowing that anything I do could be potentially made public on Facebook). Facebook has led me to be more cautious about what pictures are taken and has led me to take more "staged" pictures as well.

PPCland. (2017, Dec 4).

Retrieved from https://ppc.land/2017/12/04/facebook-pre-rolls-on-the-roadmap/

Artifact 6: Laptop

Laptops are a large reflection of my personal culture because I spend a lot of time each day on my laptop completing assignments for school or communicating with others. Laptops impact the way I interact with the world because they draw me into another digital world. Often times, I think that my laptop distracts me from the "real world." Laptops also impact the way I interact with others--when others are on their laptops, I am often hesitant to approach them and interrupt them. 

Wikipedia. (2018). Laptop.

Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laptop

Artifact 7: Thank You Notes

"Thank You" notes are also a reflection of my culture because I grew up with a mother who constantly kept thank you notes around the house and expressed her thanks to others through writing. This habit has become an important part of my life as well. It has a huge impact on the way I interact with the world in the way that it allows me an outlet to expressing love and appreciation to other people. Whenever I receive "thank you" notes, they always mean a lot to me, and I want others to feel validated and appreciated, so writing "thank you" notes is often the way that I express appreciation to other people--in family circles, friend circles, and even in professional circles. 

Paper Source. (2018). Watercolor Laurel 4 Bar Thank You Notes.

Retrieved from https://www.papersource.com/stationery/thank-you-notes-PS.html

Artifact 8: Journal

A journal is an important artifact in my culture because in my family, journaling has always been encouraged--keeping records of our lives. Journals (and the act of journaling) impact the way I interact with the world because they allow me an outlet of expressing emotion. My journal allows me to express myself and rationalize in a way that I could not do otherwise. In turn, this allows me to approach the world in a more effective way. My journal also reminds me of past experiences, which further impacts the way I interact with the world because as I read of past experiences, I try to find ways to change or things to keep doing based on the experience.

Teaching English. (2012). Class journals.

Retrieved from https://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/article/class-journals

Artifact 9: Piano

The piano is an important artifact of my family culture as well, as each child in my family was required to take piano lessons. Piano definitely impacted the way that I interacted with the world when I was younger, as much of my frustration in life stemmed from having to practice piano. I remember many, many tantrums over not wanting to practice piano. However, today, the piano impacts the way I interact with the world by allowing me an outlet to stress--piano has become the exact opposite to me. Now, piano allows me to de-stress and allows me to be more "emotionally stable" in the way I interact with others.

Yamaha. CFX.

Retrieved from https://usa.yamaha.com/products/musical_instruments/pianos/premium_pianos/cf_series/index.html

Artifact 10: Photo frame

Photo frames and photos are cultural artifacts, as they are used often in today's world to decorate and to remember fond memories. They are found all over my house. They impact the way I interact with the world because they remind me of experiences that brought me joy (at least most of the time) in the past. This reminder of the joys of the past leads me to want to create even more beautiful memories in the future. It leads me to develop deeper relationships with friends and family and to enjoy every moment so that the photos in the photo frames always bring back positive memories.

Aluratek. (2017). 12 Inch Digital Photo Frame with 2GB Built-in Memory.

Retrieved from https://aluratek.com/twelve-inch-digital-photo-frame-2gb-memory

Artifact 11: Beehive doorknob to the temple

In LDS culture, the doorknob to the Salt Lake City temple is an iconic artifact. The beehive represents hard work and the memory of the pioneers who sacrificed so much for their faith. This symbol is important to me as well, and shapes the way I interact with the world. I want to reflect the values embodied in the beehive on the doorknob of the Salt Lake Temple, and this desire leads me to be more hard-working and to be more diligent. In turn, this impacts the way I talk with people and even the way I "judge" people. I want to surround myself with hard-working people, and this symbol impacts the way that I search for friends.

Moroni's Latter-day Saint Page.

Retrieved from http://www.moroni10.com/lds/temple_tour/symbols/doorplate-knob.html

Artifact 12: Gmail

Gmail is a digital artifact and is the means through which people all over the world communicate. To me, it represents the first form of social media in which I was allowed to participate. It impacts the way I communicate with the world (by making communication so much easier) and the facility at which I am able to share information. For example, Gmail impacts the way I interact with other students and the way that we work on group projects and assignments by allowing us to both work on the same project without meeting together in person. I often find myself saying, "Just send me an email!" or "Can you just forward that to me?" Gmail allows me to be "lazier" in my personal responsibility to obtain information about things as it allows an easier outlet to the sharing of information.

Verma, A. (2016, Feb 3). 

Retrieved from http://onlygizmos.com/gmail-crosses-one-billion-users-mark/2016/02/

Artifact 13: Backpack

In today's culture backpacks are used by many students all over the world. Backpacks have definitely impacted the way that I interact with the world. Often times, when my backpack is very full, I feel more stressed and exhausted, leading me to be less friendly and outgoing with other people. When my backpack is lighter, I feel more free, happy, and ready to serve.

Dakine. Campus 33L Backpack. 

Retrieved from https://www.dakine.com/en-us/bags/

Artifact 14: Microphone

Microphones are part of my personal culture, as they represent and remind me me of the musicals, shows, and performances in which I have participated. Through participating in different musicals (and using microphones), I have come to understand the importance of having a voice and the power of what one person can do. Thus, microphones have impacted the way I interact with the world by making me realize that my voice matters and can make a difference. This has led me to be more vocal about sharing my opinions, views, and beliefs with others.

Musician's Friend. Audix f55 Cardioid Vocal Microphone.

Retrieved from http://www.musiciansfriend.com/pro-audio/audix-f55-cardioid-vocal-microphone

Artifact 15: Handcart

Handcarts are important artifacts in the LDS culture because they remind us of the sacrifices of early members of the church who made it possible for us to enjoy the blessings of our faith today. To me, it is a reminder of the legacy of my ancestors. Because of the sacrifices they made, I feel inspired to make sacrifices as well. Thus, the handcart impacts the way that I interact with the world by inspiring me to make sacrifices to live my faith. These sacrifices are often small, but they are important to me. For example, sacrifices to study the scriptures even when I am tired, sacrifices to keep the Sabbath-Day Holy, sacrifices to serve other people, and so forth. 

The Fur Trapper. (2018).

Retrieved from http://thefurtrapper.com/home/handcart-company/

Artifact 16: Preach My Gospel

The Preach My Gospel manual became an important artifact representing my culture during my service as a missionary. It is a guide to help missionaries fulfill their work, and it became a guide for my life during that time. Preach My Gospel impacts the way that I approach other people, as it reminds me that we are all children of God. It also has impacted the way that I interact with people because it teaches me that God places people in my path who are ready to receive the message of His gospel. Knowing this, I have been inspired to open my mouth and be more vocal with other people about how Jesus Christ has changed my life. 

LDS Distribution Center. Preach My Gospel: A Guide to Missionary Service, Spiral-Bound

Retrieved from https://deseretbook.com/p/preach-my-gospel-guide-missionary-service-spiral-bound-lds-distribution-center-6578

Artifact 17: BYU shirt

BYU gear and BYU spirit have been a part of my family and extended family's culture for generations. The gear reminds us of ancestors who helped to start BYU Academy as well as alumni family members. I feel a sense of pride whenever I talk about BYU, and this impacts the way that I interact with my friends back at home in Pennsylvania. It allows me to feel confident and happy when talking about school (rather than envious of the universities my friends attend). It also often provides me opportunities to talk about my faith.

Fanatics. BYU Cougars Campus T-Shirt-Navy.

Retrieved from https://www.fanatics.com/college-byu-cougars-t-shirts/o-16+t-67690357+d-08664657+z-95-4123078714

Artifact 18: Visa Debit Card

Debit cards are a huge artifact of today's culture, as most people carry debit cards with them rather than cash. It is an easy, light-weight way to make purchases online and in person. They impact the way I interact with the world by making my life much easier and allowing me access to more online social circles. However, they also lead me to doing less budgeting (because I do not have to write out everything with paper or on paper). Debit cards make it easier for me to make purchases and participate in the online world as well (for example, through online shopping).

University National Bank. (2017). 

Retrieved from http://www.unbank.com/other-services/visa-check-cards/

Artifact 19: iPhone

iPhones and other smart phones are everywhere in today's society. I use my iPhone every day for simple things, for online help, for communication, and for a million other things! My iPhone has a large impact on the way that I interact with the world. Sadly, my iPhone sometimes has a negative impact on the way I interact with the world, as it serves as a distraction from the "real world"--for example, I often feel dragged into the the iPhone world of texts and messages while walking on campus, pulling me away from the world before my eyes. This negatively affects the way I interact with the people around me. However, my iPhone positively affects the way that I am able to keep in contact with my friends and family. Because I am able to better keep in contact with them because of my iPhone, they have a greater influence on my life. 

Three.co.uk. Apple iPhone SE.

Retrieved from http://www.three.co.uk/iPhone/iPhone-SE?featuretab=Go%20Binge&memory=32&colour=Space%20Grey

Artifact 20: The Book of Mormon

The Book of Mormon is a very important artifact in my personal culture. From its pages, I have gained answers to how I should live my life and have found joy from its pages. The Book of Mormon has completely impacted the way I interact with the world. It has led me to make better decisions in my life and has led me to treat others more kindly. It has influenced me to be more loving with my family, friends, and people I do not know, and it has provided me direction and perspective in my life that guide me in the way I interact with the world on a daily basis. The Book of Mormon has inspired me to do good, be good, and to become good in ways that no other artifact has. 

Wikipedia. (2018).

Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Book_of_Mormon

Reflection: 

By working on this project, I have learned that much of my culture is linked to our modern world (especially through technology), to my family views, and to my religion. I realized that many of these artifacts are interconnected and related. I also noticed how some of the cultural artifacts I included are "new"--in that they did not exist 20 years ago (ex. cellphones and laptops). This goes to show how our world culture and even our own family cultures evolve and change. As stated above, each of the artifacts impacts the way that I interact with the world, as they lead me to treat others in a different way, give me outlets to stress, make me feel happy, sad, or relaxed, and impact the way I view the world.

I think that these artifacts serve to help me as an educator as well as hinder me in the world of teaching. Many of these artifacts of technology are an important part of world culture, and as I include these cultural "artifacts" in class (ex. laptops, communication on social media, etc.), I will be able to help students become more culturally literate. In addition, I believe that the values of faith, compassion, and virtue that I learned in relation to many of the religious artifacts I included will also serve to benefit the environment of my classroom and the way that I treat my students. Many of these artifacts have led me to interact with the world in a more positive, uplifting, and joyful way and to view others with more respect. However, because many of my cultural artifacts are faith-based, I will need to be cautious as a teacher to be tolerant of my students' differing backgrounds and cultures. The faith-based artifacts could be a hindrance to me as I enter the teaching field because they limit an unbiased view of other cultures, belief systems, family organizations, and so forth.

Portfolio 1: My Future Classroom

1. 1. Five images (you can take them or they can come from the Internet [provide proper credit]). These images should reflect, in some way, what you imagine your classroom will look like once you are a teacher. Please annotate your images by providing a description of the image and how it relates to your future classroom.

Figure 1. Responsive classroom (Woodward, 2016).

This is how I want my future classroom to look!! A classroom filled with engaged students who are ready and excited to learn and participate. I hope that as a teacher I can help my students not only feel comfortable participating in class but also feel the desire to participate in class.

Woodward, J. (2016). Responsive classroom.

Retrieved from https://www.responsiveclassroom.org/responsive-classroom-middle-school/

Figure 2. Elementary school modernization. (MJP Architecture.)

I love the different organized sections of this classroom. In my future classroom, I imagine having a computer station and a book station, a working  station, similar to this classroom. I also love that this classroom has resources, like the computers, and that is something I want in my future class. MJP Architecture. Elementary school modernization. Retrieved from http://www.mjpaia.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/ProspectModernizationKindergarten-e1338996791349.jpg 

Figure 3. Colorful atmosphere. (Rebollido, J.) 

I love the arrangement of this room, with the rug near the front and the desks all around. I want my elementary students to be sitting together in groups, as shown in the picture. I also love the color and excitement to the room, with the colors hanging from the ceiling. I think that helps the students remember that learning is fun!

Rebollido, J. (2013). Colorful atmosphere.

Retrieved from http://jcrebollido.blogspot.com/2013_04_01_archive.html

Figure 4. Cool classroom. (Scholastic.)

I want the walls of my future classroom to be filled with color, like this one. I love that every section of wall is filled with color and relates to what the students are learning. I think this helps students feel excited about learning, and for example, with the reading wall (with students’ writing on it), invites the students to feel that they have contributed to the learning in the class.

Scholastic. Cool classroom.

Retrieved from https://www.scholastic.com/teachers/articles/teaching-content/cool-classroom-molly-maloy/

Figure 5. Elementary school classroom design. (Pic2Viral.)

I love organization in a classroom. In my future classroom, I imagine having a rug similar to the one shown in this picture to help each of the students have their own spot on the rug. I think that using a rug like this would help students to feel that they have a place and to help them not fight of seating on the rug when we do reading time or things like that.

Pic2Viral. (2016). Elementary school classroom design.

Retrieved from www.suncityvillas.com/378d23f01218e003.html

1. 2. Imagine the surrounding in your classroom. What does the room look like? What resources are available for students? How are the resources used during the lesson?

The classroom includes a rug near the front (near the board) with desks in groups surrounding the rug. Around the perimeter of the classroom, there are computers, a science station (with a sink), and cabinets so that each child can put their backpack in a certain “cubby.” In terms of resources in the classroom, I hope to have sufficient supplies to do hands on projects with them that relate to what we are learning. For example, if we are learning about electrical circuits, I want to have resources to make battery-powered electrical circuits in groups with the kids. I also hope to have computers that the students can use to help engage them in spelling, reading, and math, with games online that they can work on to practice what we have learned in class. I also want my classroom to be filled with books, so that during silent reading time, the students can choose fun books to read and have a great selection of books that are exciting for them. I also hope to have resources, like children’s textbooks, that can help children to practice and reinforce what we have learned in class.

1. 3. Describe the students in your classroom. What are their backgrounds? What are their interests? What are they doing during the lesson?

The students in my classroom come from all different backgrounds and cultures. I usually imagine a mix of Caucasians, Hispanics, African Americas, and Asians. Some of the Hispanics may be speaking English as their second language. So, I imagine helping them with English and also being able to speak to them and their parents in Spanish. They are interested in a variety of activities from sports to music to dance. I hope to be able to include the variety of student interests in lesson plans. For example, using dance to teach about a specific culture in a history lesson or using music in a math lesson on fractions. I imagine that not all of them will be so excited to learn at first, but I hope to be able to kindle within them a desire to learn and an excitement about learning. It would depend on the lesson, but I hope that during lessons, they are attentive and willing to participate. I imagine teaching a brief lesson, and then allowing them time to do an activity to help them develop that skill or learn that principle. I imagine students asking questions and excited about learning. Of course, they might not feel excited every moment, but for the most part, I imagine a class who is willing to try new things and participate and hopefully enjoy it!

1. 4. Describe your classroom policies. What are your classroom rules? What is your discipline plan? What are your homework policies?

I think that my biggest classroom rule will be charity—loving and caring for each member of the class. I want to make an emphasis on loving one another because I feel that if the students can learn to love one another, then they will also respect one another and respect me as well. Another classroom rule I want to incorporate is hard work. I think that hard work is a good thing, and that challenges in learning will make them better. I want to help them to not be afraid of working hard. I also want to place a large emphasis on trying new things. I want to help them realize that trying new things is important and will help them grow. “Smaller rules” such as “one person talk at a time during lessons” will hopefully naturally fall out of these bigger overarching rules that I have in mind. At the beginning of each school year, I want to talk to my students about these rules and invite them to collaborate on “the smaller rules” they feel our class should establish and the punishments that they think are fair for breaking rules.

I do not like “rewarding” for negative behavior. For example, giving a student a lot of attention for something they have done wrong. I want to focus my discipline on positive reinforcement. However, when they do break rules, I want the “punishment” to be something that will be productive to helping them learn better. For example, if we have access to outdoor space, rather than making a child sit in “time out,” I would have him run a few laps around a play-set outside to get his energy out, and then invite him back into the class.

As for homework policies, I do want to require them to do homework to review and practice what is learned in class. However, I do not want to assign too much homework, as I want them to be able to enjoy time outside playing and time with their family. I imagine assigning a weekly packet with suggested assignments each day, which they would bring back and turn in the following Friday.

1. 5. Describe a typical lesson you will teach in your classroom. What will you teach? What is the topic? Why did you choose this topic? How will you teach it? What is the main thing you want students to learn during this lesson?

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I imagine teaching a lesson to my students on writing with the aim to help them realize that they are writers and that they can make a positive difference in someone’s life by learning to write. I want to teach a lesson on this because for most of my life, I have never viewed myself as a writer, but if they can learn to view themselves in such a way, they will have more confidence in their abilities and find more joy in it as well (and especially as they realize they can do something good with their ability to write). Also, with everything we learn, I want them to see how it has relevance to them personally and how they can use it to change the world. For example, I will start the lesson by asking them to write for 5 minutes about anything they would like. After 5 minutes, they would share with their peers what they wrote about, and their peers would take a moment to talk about what they thought was great from their writing. We then would take a moment and talk about the different elements of any writing piece, touching on the writer and the audience and the object in writing. We will spend a few moments talking about the power of words and the impact words have had on students’ lives. Then, we will talk about how words can make an influence for good in the world. We will close the lesson by writing a thank-you note to someone, giving it to them, and discussing the influence a thank-you note could have on someone.

1. 6. Imagine your work as a teacher during this lesson. What are you doing during the lesson?

During this lesson, I will be engaged with the students. I will be guiding the discussion and prompting questions and ideas. I will do the lesson alongside them, taking 5 minutes to write at the beginning, engaging in discussion among the students about positive qualities in one another’s work, and writing a thank-you note at the end. I imagine answering students’ questions and learning alongside them.

1. 7. Imagine your students again, what are they doing during the lesson?

The students are listening to the instructions at the beginning of the class, they are willing to participate and write creatively for 5 minutes. They are excited over the positive qualities in their own work as well as that of their peers. They engage in class discussion and ask questions, and they are willing to write a thank-you note and excited to see how it will help the person who receives the note.

1. 8. Imagine how you will assess your students' learning and achievement. How will you know they have learned?

I think that assessing my students’ learning and achievement will be measured in different ways depending on the subject. For example, improvements in writing generally happen over a longer time-span. So, I hope to have them do a writing assignment at the beginning of the year and put it in a time capsule. At the end of the year, I would have them do the same writing assignment, and then write about how their writing has improved throughout the year. On the other hand, when teaching math, I hope to have them do online games to challenge them. As they improve, the questions will get harder, and they will be able to track and see their progress as well. I know that through standardized testing, often student progress is tracked. However, I want the students to be aware of how they are progressing. Thus, I want to focus on the level of improvement from beginning to end rather than score/grade from beginning to end. To help them to see and find joy in their improvement, I will have them take a pretest at the beginning of each unit and then give them a similar exam at the end of the unit so that they can see how much they learned and improved during the unit.

    s? What is your discipline plan? What are your homework policies?

3. Describe the students in your classroom. What are their backgrounds? What are their interests? What are they doing during the lesson?

e the resources used during the lesson?

3. Describe the students in your classroom. What are their backgrounds? What are their interests? What are they doing during the lesson?