Independent Component 1Approval

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

What I plan to for my independent component I am planning to tutors 3rd graders at Cortez Magnet School and see how the students respond to my teaching methods. Also I would want to prepare maybe a mock lesson to see how much work and creativity is required to have a successful lesson.

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

What I plan to do to show evidence is take pictures of me and the classroom. Also I will have to ask permission but take take pictures of the students and their work.

3.  And explain how what you will be doing will help you explore your topic in more depth.

This will help see how the students respond to me as a tutor. Also it will allow me to try different teaching techniques that I have read about. With trying different teaching methods I can see which ones the students would respond better to and obtain the information better.

Additional Post

So far things have gone alright with my project. I have gotten past my first problem of finding good research that would help me form my EQ and under stand my topic more. Now that we have gone to Cal-Poly Library and relearned how to use their database to our advantage. The book that I am reading right now for research check ("Philosophy of Teaching" by Noddings Nel) has really helped me understand how many different approaches their is for teaching from a philosophical stand. It also shows the strong points and the weak points for each technique. Me using the databases from home have really helped a lot as well, after I'm finished with this book I have two more books that I am waiting to read.

This is my favorite quote that I keep running into!

Show all the different things that go into teaching.

Second Interview Questions

1.  Who is your mentor and where do they work?

• Helen Estrada Merritt at Cortez Elementary School.

2.  What five questions will ask them about their background?

• Where did you go to school?
• How long have you been teaching?
• What other Schools have you taught at?
• Have you taught any other grade besides 3rd grade?
• What other schooling have you had to take to be a teacher?

Blog 5: Project Reflection and Working EQ

Using what you have done so far, answer the following 5 questions (be specific and use examples).

The Pentagon: 
(1) Positive Statement: What positive thing happen as a result of what you have completed so far?

    The positive thing that has happened as a result from my project so far is learning how to talk to people I have never met. I found that confidence is key, If I can't get over the nervous feeling then I wouldn't do anything. That is not good when it comes to trying to find an interviewee before the deadline. Also I have found out that people are going to say "No" and that fear should keep me from trying again.


(2) EQ Content:  Pick a piece of research or your interview.  How has it helped you improve your understanding of your topic?
     The pieces of research that have helped me understand my topic a little more are the articles "Stacking the Deck in your favor of Your Students by Using the Four of Effective Teaching" and "Building a Better Teacher" by Elizabeth Green. The first article helped get an over better understanding of my subject by giving examples of effective teaching methods. The only thing was that it quoted to much for many different books and articles that there was little to no original text in it. The first article lead me to find the second article in the NY Times. That article  that actually talked about the effects of "good" teachers on certain schools test scores and compares the teachers teaching methods and how they positively or negatively effect students retention of knowledge. 
 
(3) What has worked for you so far in the senior project?
   
     What has worked so far for me is finding a place to mentor at I just have to complete the Volunteer application process. The place I'm potentially going to volunteer at is my little sisters elementary school, Cortez Magnet School. Also, the person I plan to interview is the principle of the school and my former 5th grade teacher.


(4) What hasn't worked so far?  
   
    What hasn't worked so far me is finding research for my topic. I think it's because it's to broad of a topic but I don't know if I should narrow my subject down to a specific grade or class subject.


(5) Finding Value:  

My working EQ is "What makes a good Teacher"

What I plan to do for my mentorship is volunteer at my local elementary school. First, I have to follow some steps to to become a volunteer, for example I have to pass a background check and get clearance on a TB test.

Blog 4: Interview Preparation

Content:

1.  Who do you plan to interview?  Why?

I plan to interview my old 5th grade teacher Mr. Ruiz. I plan on interviewing him because he was one of my favorite teachers and I remember having fun in his class but also learning a lot. 

2.  You have to ask 5 questions.  What additional questions do you plan to ask?

What made you begin teaching?
Why did you chose to teach elementary school?
What did you find most rewarding about teaching?
What was the hardest thing you had to deal with?
What do you think makes a teacher a good teacher?

Blog 3: Topic Choice and Semester 1 ESLR Goals

1. List your topic here: Teaching
2. What I plan to do to show growth in the ESLRs.

IPoly Citizen:

• This year I plan to take show more responsibility in me, and to prove to myself that I could be reliable and other people can depend on me to get a job done. This year I want to make it an incredible Senior year for not just myself but for everyone in my Class. Since I am Senior Class President I can't bale out on things or promise to deliver something I know I can''t.

Effective Learner:

•  I plan on showing growth as an Effective learner this year by asking more questions. I plan to stay on top of my assignments in class, as well as take care of my responsibilities outside of class. For example with my senior project I don't want to do what has happened in the past and not turn in something small. I want to complete each task and turn them in on time so it doesn't come around and bite me later on.

Effective User of Technology:

• To Become an Effective user of Technology I want to continue to learn how to use technology better. For Example with research to not just use google (google is good and fine) but to find a better way to find research example look through databases, research journals. Also with the blog I want to learn different and better ways to use the blog to help organize thing better in it.

Effective Communicator:

• I plan to be an effective communicator by listening to other and showing respect when others are speaking or presenting something without criticizing them. For example the committees I have to listen to peoples suggestions and know that it's not all ways going to be my way. Sometimes other people have good ideas and it would be the best way to prevent arguments and would overall improve a groups dynamic. 

Summer Mentorship Component

1. Link: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0ApaNTpWA3P38dExCZFBzQ2I1U0NfNVNYakowTWViUlE#gid=0

2.Maria Jimenez  (909) 579-1515

3. What sort of Questions we should be asking?
    Do we have to stay with this topic?

4.I have learned that it is important to keep up, be ready for anything and pay attention. Especially for this job when a deal needs to be done on time and according to what the clients need. This is important because they are handling other peoples money and they have to make sure that no mistakes are made in the process of closing a deal. If a mistake is made by you a person could lose the home they are trying to buy.

5. I really don't know what my topic would be for my senior project. Although I did enjoy my day at Ticor and Company Escrow. I don't know, or I don't think this would be a good Senior Project Topic.