Context: I created this artifact during my student teaching at Banner Elk School.  This artifact is representative of a field trip that I planned and coordinated under the supervision of my cooperating teacher, Ms. Edith Ferguson.

Impact: Planning a field trip has allowed me to learn how to plan educational field trips in the future.  Also, by completing all of the paperwork myself I gained an understanding of how field trips can aid in instruction.

Alignment:
Standard 16-1: This artifact demonstrates that I am capable of integrating the community into the classroom.  Because fourth grade students are studying North Carolina, I was able to integrate the geography strand into the field trip by discussing the differences the students noticed between the mountain region and the piedmont region.  Also, the field trip correlated with the students' study of the North Carolina Zoo during their piedmont unit.
Standard 16-3: By sending home frequent letters updating the parents on information regarding the field trip, I showed mastery of the ability to communicate effectively with parents, guardians, and caretakers.  By keeping the parents informed about what is going on in the classroom and how it relates to their child's education promotes a sense of community both inside the classroom and with the parents at home.
Standard 16-5: This artifact demonstrates my ability to communicate needs to administrators including the need for funds for the field trip.  In the letter home to parents, indication was made that students who were unable to afford the trip could sign a form and have their trip paid for in full.  By working with the administration, I was able to provide each child in need a chance to attend the field trip with their classmates.