Blog 11: Holiday Project Update

1. Over winter break, I read articles on child development, different teaching methods in a classroom, and autistic students who excel in art.

2.  The most important thing from what I've learned has to be the fact that teaching is more complex than us students see it to be. A classroom setting, along with teaching methods differs throughout every grade level, as well as subjects. For my topic specifically, pre-school special ed and traditional pre-school courses require different teaching methods as well as different curriculum.  I went to the Laverne Public Library and found several magazines that had articles that gave me a good insight on teaching as a whole.

3.  I would talk to my new mentor, William Harper, because he has several years of experience within a classroom and he has several years of experience in training new teachers as well. I know he could give me a new perspective on my senior topic and in education as a whole.

New Class, New Mentor

I'd like this post to be more of an update instead of my usual segment "Monthly Favorites". I decided to volunteer with different grade levels to observe every aspect of teaching. I'm now volunteering in two 3rd grade classes on Thursdays, and in a 6th grade class on Fridays. My new mentor is Mr. Harper. I've only volunteered a couple of times with these new classrooms, but I already see one very important thing... They all have a different, but effective approach to communication. Communication is one of my essential question answers so I was glad to see that it really does have a huge impact on the students when a teachers communicates appropriately and thoroughly. Hopefully next month I will continue with my "Monthly Favorites" will updated information relating to my new volunteering schedule.

EQ

Content

1. I reviewed the rule of three for writing an EQ.

An essential question must:

• Provide a framework for studies (It calls for breadth and depth of research, Is not a yes/no question)
• Take a stance (It allows you to argue some point, Cannot be a recitation of facts or a list)
•  Format (It is specific, The wording makes sense)

2.  Review the following EQs and

• Tell us if each meets the rule of three.
• Tell why they do or don't.

 a.  What is the most important factor in healthy weight loss?
Yes because it's specific and the most important factor can be debateable. The eq itself is not biased in any way, and it's worded easily to comprehend.

 b.  What is most important to securing a conviction in a criminal investigation?
No because the structure and wording seems very broad and a bit confusing.

 c.  What is most important in creating a hairstyle that best satisfies a customer?
Yes, its extremely specific as well as clearly formatted. 

 d.  How can an anesthesiologist best treat chronic pain?
No because that's kind of an open ended question. I think there could be different answers to that depending on who you talk to. it's not really specific.

3. What is the most significant factor in insuring the independence of a special ed student by the age of five?

Title: Lesson 1 Reflection

1. Positive Statement

What are you most proud of in your Lesson 1 Presentation and why?

• I liked the way I did my hook activity interactively so it engaged the classroom as well as teaching them something as ool as sign language. 

2. Questions to Consider
       a.     What assessment would you give yourself on your Lesson 1 Presentation (self-assessment)?

       AE     

       b.     Explain why you deserve that grade using evidence from the Lesson 1 component contract.

• I believe I deserve an AE because my presentation was creative and I covered all of the information in a very smooth manner. I felt I had good interactions and I think I did a good job being in front of the class and holding their attention. I also did everything required including stating my sources.

3. What worked for you in your Lesson 1?

• Definitely the sign language which was my hook activity.

4.  (What didn't work) If you had a time machine, what would you have done differently to improve your Lesson 1?

• I might've been a bit repetitive so I guess I would just be specific about what i'm covering in order to not repeat information.

October favorites !

So today instead of naming products that are useful within the special ed preschool classroom, I'll be naming my absolute October favorites. My students (not technically mine, but you know what I mean) October artwork. We sat down during "craft hour" and made our own pumpkins. Craft hour is an opportunity for the kids to have fun and learn a new creative outlet for expressing themselves. I couldn't be more proud of their pumpkins.

Blog 8 - Research and Working EQ

1.  What is your working EQ?

What are the best ways to help preschool special ed students become independent by the age of 5?

2.  What is a possible answer to your working EQ? Please write the answer in thesis format. 

EQ:What are the best ways to help preschool special ed students become independent by the age of 5?

• To teach them effective ways to communicate with others
• To teach them a good foundation regarding communication skills as well as social and academic skills

3.  What is the most important source you have used that has helped you come up with an answer to your working EQ?

I found a series called "Topics in Down Syndrome" and "Topics in Autism" that has answered any, and every question I've had so far regarding my topic.

4.  Who is your mentor, or where are you doing mentorship, and how does what you are doing relate to your working EQ?

My mentor is Mrs. Blanca, at San Jose Elementary School and it directly helps my topic because I am volunteering in a special ed Preschool class and interacting with the children the whole time.

Independent Component 1 Approval

1. Describe in detail what you will do for your 30 hours.

   I will continue to volunteer in the classroom with the children and help them participate in class activities such as reading, coloring, singing, and playing. I will shadow Teacher Blanca and assist her with the children.

2. Discuss how or what you will do to meet the expectation of showing 30 hours of evidence.

   I will continue to do mentorship hours to cover my thirty hours of independent component so i'd still be keeping track of all my hours on my log and my mentor could be able to verify my hours.

3.And explain what you will be doing to explore your topic further in depth.

    I will be able to work with a different child for 15 minutes every day I volunteer, so i'm planning on doing worksheets and one on one activities and keep record of his or her improvement as well as observe the way they communicate. This is very important to my topic because Communication is one of my answers to my eq.

4. Update your senior project hours log.

   Updated