Rationale

    I chose the paper titled “Did the Bolshevik Revolution Improve the Lives of Soviet Women,” as one of my artifacts for Historical Perspectives because it shows my knowledge of history and how I can use the knowledge and concepts I have received from History 152 to write and establish an opinion on the Bolshevik Revolution and if it improved the lives of Soviet Women. Not only does this artifact show that I have grasped the knowledge and concepts of the Bolshevik Revolution, but also that I understand how people interact and view each other within society. Along with Intasc #1, I have decided to pair this artifact with Intasc #2, on student development and Intasc #4, on student instruction, because with this knowledge I have grasped from History 152 and through preparing this artifact, I will be able to more effectively teach my students concepts from history that will create a learning experience that is beneficial to their everyday life and learning process by promoting different forms of instruction.
    Because this artifact required me to look at two opposing opinions from the book Taking Sides Clashing Views on Controversal Issues in the World, I learned that it’s important to hear two sides of every story even if you already know what side you most closely agree with. By hearing both sides of the story before writing my artifact, I was able to gain more knowledge on each viewpoint and was able to see details and facts that I might have otherwise overlooked.
    On a larger scale, this artifact prepares me as a teacher, to look at two sides of every story when it comes to conflict within the classroom as well as when evaluating a student’s home life. By looking at my students and my classroom from more then one perspective, I will be able to better motivate my students and create a classroom learning environment that is positive and beneficial for every student. This will also allow me, as a teacher, like Intasc principle #2 states “to help my students grow and develop as a learner.” By preparing this artifact, I was also able to see how it will be important for me as a teacher, to allow my students to see two sides to every story, event, or concept in history, so that they are encouraged to decide for themselves what they believe to be true. Like Intasc principle #4 states, this will be an instructional skill that “encourages my students to use critical thinking and problem solving skills in order to learn important concepts in history.”