Cultural Artifacts

As I was considering this assignment, I wondered how I ought to organize this post. I think I will start with things in my culture as an American and then phase into things that are more a part of my personal culture. So, to begin, American culture.






The American flag is a huge symbol and I think so for good reason. Americans don't agree on everything. That is certain. However, most Americans, I think are proud of the history of this country and think it's a great place to live.










I think the recent obsession with Hamilton is a reflection of that. American's love that type of music, but they also love to hear stories of people who helped America become great. I honestly think that Americans just love to think they're awesome.

As stated above, though, there's definitely disagreement. American politics is riddled with the idea that America is the best but only if it's run the right way. This breeds competition and disunity.









This also makes for a general sense of competition in America. Businesses are competing to get the top dollar, which is important, I understand. But it's still promotion of competition.

It also plays int our preoccupation with sports. Sports teams compete against each other. There is often an us vs. them mentality that comes through.






This also plays into our country's admiration of and obsession with heroes. It can be Marvel, Star Wars, athletes, musicians, or other celebrities. We praise and reward those who seem to be extraordinary. We strive to be like them, even though it's often quite unrealistic.

We also have an obsession with entertainment. We are constantly seeking to be entertained by a variety of things. Americans love trivial things that make them laugh. This is what fuels things like Buzzfeed and Netflix. They are always there to entertain us.

We are also very demanding when it comes to entertainment. That's the value that people see in Netflix. It's available whenever you want and the marginal cost of watching an additional episode or movie is zero. It's so easy.






Americans are also very fond of their technology. This is in part due to the obsession with entertainment. People insist on being connected as much as possible. iPhones, smart watches, tablets and all technology is constantly used in our culture.






 Social media is also a large part of  my culture. Many people spend lots of time on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, scrolling through their newsfeeds, looking at what their friends are doing with their lives.

Also, food. So much food. Most of it delicious and unhealthy. But food is a big deal to Americans. These type of food videos are all over social media and the internet.

Americans also love to think that their opinions matter. They like to feel a part of what is happening and that their thoughts are validated. Hence websites such as Urban Dictionary and Huffington Post. Places where people can go to say what they mean and literally define the language we use daily.






A big part of my personal culture is heavily influenced by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Saints. I have been Mormon my whole life and it's a large part of my family heritage.

A large part of my culture is also family. My religion emphasizes the importance of family and it's role in creating a good life.

One of my favorite things to do is play card games, especially those involving strategy. That's something my family and friends do quite often. As a result, it has influenced the pastimes that I enjoy.

Education is also a central part of my culture and my family's culture. It has always been a big focus for my siblings and I. Also, learning about new things can be so great!






Reading books is also a huge part of my culture. I especially have an affinity for children's literature and young adult books. I think that one of the best things that parents can do for their children is read to them.

 Math is a huge part of my culture. Seeing as I'm going to be a math teacher, it's very important to me that people feel positively towards math. Also, I find math fascinating and that it teaches a very good way of thinking. 

I spent eighteen months serving a mission in Texas. Thus, I feel like I'm a Texan at heart now. I used to think Texans were annoying for loving Texas so much. Then I lived there. Now I defend it. I have become one of those people who love Texas so much.

Lastly, a huge part of my culture is music, especially musicals. I love musicals. I could listen to nothing but musicals and be quite happy with my life. In fact, I do that quite frequently. 

Looking at the artifacts of my culture (beliefs, values, customs, rituals, etc.) I was struck with just how white, middle class, suburban, and christian all of my personal artifacts were. Church, education, music, reading books--all of these are so much of who I am. That's not problematic, but it certainly will influence me as a teacher. There is so much more in the world than what I value and what I enjoy. Certainly, some of the things that I value personally are very important to me as a teacher, but I definitely need to be very value-informed in order to approach my students well. I have to assume my students are not coming from the exact same place as me, because they won't be. There will always be some difference. This makes me want to be involved in the community of my school so that I can be more informed and connected to my students.

Imagined Classroom

1. 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?

• First of all, here's a diagram of what I think could be a really effective layout for a classroom. I like it because the desks are grouped in a way that three students can work together, which I think is a good number for initial group work. Then there's the groups of 5-6, as indicated by color, that are good for larger groups if necessary. All the desks are facing the front of the room, but the desks on the sides are also tilted in, so that there's more central focus. There are calculators available for use to each of the students, crates of manipulatives, and colored pencils if students want to use them. Because I'm going to focus primarily on task-based instruction, I'm planning on having those resources available for virtually all activities. Different tools can bring out different images of mathematical concepts that are very useful. There will also be math quotes and posters on the wall like displayed on this page. 
2. Describe the students in your classroom. What are their backgrounds? What are their interests? What are they doing during the lesson?

• The background of my students is something I don't think I've really thought much about. They all have different experiences in life and with math. Each of them have had so many messages sent to them about who they are and what they can accomplish. They are probably all very interested in their friends, in their phones, and things they find interesting. I think that can be influenced. What they're doing during the lesson depends on the time in the class period. Each person will be expected to participate, especially if they're not sure they're understanding things. During tasks, they'll be working individually, as groups, and with the rest of the class.
3. Describe you classroom policies. What are you classroom rules? What is your discipline plan? What are your homework policies?

• Classroom rules will include will include being engaged in the task at all times, owning what you understand and do not understand, and making the classroom a safe space for others to explore mathematics. That includes respecting their ideas, allowing them to speak, and being committed to the mathematics enough to work with others so everyone learns. Math, contrary popular belief, has a lot to do with communities. I will do my best to create a community. My discipline plan is not very developed. I think it will depend a bit on the school administration, but most of it will be up to me. I think it will have a system of warnings, with consequences including speaking to administrators and parents. Homework policies will include grading of completion and mastery. Late work will be accepted through the end of the unit, but there will be penalties. There will also be rewards for turning in homework on time consistently. 
4. 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?
• First of all, math. Lots and lots of math. Math in context with real questions that take reasoning and work to solve. For a specific topic, probably quadratic functions. I chose that because I'm learning about them right now. They're full of amazing mathematical concepts, including calculus. I'll teach it using a task that talks about quadratic rates of change--specifically that a quadratic's rate of rate of change is constant. Also, quadratics are a representation of an area created by the multiplication of two linear expressions. 
5. Imagine your work as a teacher during this lesson. What are you doing during the lesson?

• I'm going around and looking at student work, what they're thinking and how they're coming to conclusions. I'm selecting student work that highlights principles that lead to the fundamental mathematical concept I'm using and my overall goals for the lesson. I'm asking questions to individual students or groups to scaffold or extend. I'm sequencing in my mind the work I want to highlight when we come together as a class.