Artifact Title: The New Deal Essay Test Date: October 15, 2012 Artifact Description: This artifact

is an actual test I took in a history course entitled: The History of the United States from 1898-1945. The test was in essay format. We were given forty-five minutes to answer the question A historian claims that the New Deal was not a bold solution to economic problems caused by the Great Depression. This was one of my better essays. I formulated a thought-provoking thesis and wrote an essay that accurately expanded on my thesis, while also displaying a thorough understanding of historical themes and events associated with the topic at hand. You can see the score the professor gave me at the top (a 96) as well as his comments throughout.

Alignment Reflection: Wisconsin Teacher Standard Alignment This artifact aligns with Standard 1: Content Teachers how the subjects they are teaching. The elaboration for this standard states: The teacher understands the central concepts, tools of inquiry, and structures of the disciplines she or he teaches and can create learning experiences that make these aspects of subject matter meaningful for pupils. I view this elaboration as a sum of two parts. First, that teachers are competent in the content area they teach, that math teachers are adept mathematicians, history teachers are adept historians, et cetera. Secondly, teachers understand the methods of inquiry necessary for their particular discipline that teachers understand how to learn within their content area and can convey or demonstrate this skill to their students. This artifact demonstrates the first part of this standard that I am an adept historian. My thorough understanding of a historical period is evidenced by this essay, and the grade given to me, as well as the included comments from my professor, are verification of this. UW-Platteville School of Education Knowledge, Skill, Disposition Statement Alignment This artifact aligns with KSD1.a. (The teacher demonstrates knowledge of content and pedagogy). The elaboration states: The candidate displays extensive content knowledge of his/her subject areas and demonstrates a continuing search for new content knowledge, resources, and best instructional practices, while understanding student diversity and student misconceptions and misunderstandings as key to the teaching process. Again, this artifact demonstrates that I display extensive content knowledge of his/her subject area. It is evident that I am competent in the subject of history. In this artifact I demonstrate my knowledge of the New Deal, as well as an ability to formulate a thesis, create an analysis that reflects the thesis, and articulate this analysis clearly and expressively.

Secondary Alignments KSD1.e. Designing Coherent Instruction KSD3.c. Engaging Students in Learning

Personal Reflection I wasnt extraordinarily pleased with the score I received on this essay. Writing (especially about history, a subject I am very comfortable with), is something I do well. I analyze questions well and am able to clearly and expressively articulate my analysis. This score was higher than typical but not unusually so. There are a number of examples I could have used that would have served the same purpose equally well. I am, however, particularly proud of my thesis here. I think its a great example of a deep critical thinking in that I didnt just answer the posed question. By choosing to discuss the subjective nature of the term bold, I went a bit outside the box. This, more than anything, is why I chose to use this particular essay as my artifact. It demonstrates my ability to think clearly and analytically under the pressure of a timed essay, a skill that certainly carries over into other areas of my life. I can see a problem, analyze it, and devise an authentic solution. Critical thinking and problem solving is obviously a necessary skill for teachers, and in addition to demonstrating my competency in my subject area, this artifact hints that I possess the ability to critically think and problem solve.