Thursday, October 31, 2013
Independent Component Advancements
I recently talked to my mentor Mr. Rainville and I explained to him my independent component. He offered to help right away. He said that I could start tutoring students after school twice a week so that way I can help them improve their grades and I can gain more experience working with students. He is going to evaluate students to determine which ones are currently struggling with Math. Then he is going to inform parents that their children will begin to get tutoring twice a week afterschool. I am excited to begin tutoring them because aside from doing it as part of my independent component I am also going to be able to observe the different learning styles and behaviors of the students. I am also a bit nervous because this will be a new experience for me, I've tutored students before but I would just tutor one student at a time and now I will be tutoring a group of students in middle school. Usually students in middle school are hard to work with since they are entering their adolescence and sometimes show no interest in school work. This will definately be a challenge, but I feel that I will be able to accomplish this without any hardships.
Wednesday, October 16, 2013
Research and Working EQ
Content:
1. What is your working EQ?
My working EQ is "What are the best techniques one can use when teaching math in middle school?"
2. What is a possible answer to your working EQ? Please write the answer in thesis format.
-One should observe the different learning styles and try to accomodate to each style by incorporating fun activities such as games or hands-on activites as well as using real-world applications.
-Children suffer deeply when their natural way of thinking, absorbing, and processing information is criticized, mocked, or ignored. Never tell a student that they are wrong and scold them.
-Help students make interpretations and to be able to generalize and recognize generalizations since math is about thinking and reasoning.
3. What is the most important source you have used that has helped you come up with an answer to your working EQ?
All of the articles that I have found have helped me greatly because I have learned about the different learning styles of children and about how you must be optimistic when working with children. I have also learned about teachers' education and how some math teachers believe that they weren't prepared enough to work in classrooms with high poverty and minority groups.
4. Who is your mentor, or where are you volunteering, and how does what you are doing relate to your working EQ?
I am currently volunteering at Cortez Mathematics and Science Magnet School, I have been helping for 4 years now. Thanks to this experience I have been able to work with students and teachers. I have observed how not all students have the same enthusiasm when it comes to learning new concepts. All this time that I've spent with the teachers has helped me learn different techniques and strategies that you can use when dealing with students who don't behave good or who don't want to cooperate.
1. What is your working EQ?
My working EQ is "What are the best techniques one can use when teaching math in middle school?"
2. What is a possible answer to your working EQ? Please write the answer in thesis format.
-One should observe the different learning styles and try to accomodate to each style by incorporating fun activities such as games or hands-on activites as well as using real-world applications.
-Children suffer deeply when their natural way of thinking, absorbing, and processing information is criticized, mocked, or ignored. Never tell a student that they are wrong and scold them.
-Help students make interpretations and to be able to generalize and recognize generalizations since math is about thinking and reasoning.
3. What is the most important source you have used that has helped you come up with an answer to your working EQ?
All of the articles that I have found have helped me greatly because I have learned about the different learning styles of children and about how you must be optimistic when working with children. I have also learned about teachers' education and how some math teachers believe that they weren't prepared enough to work in classrooms with high poverty and minority groups.
4. Who is your mentor, or where are you volunteering, and how does what you are doing relate to your working EQ?
I am currently volunteering at Cortez Mathematics and Science Magnet School, I have been helping for 4 years now. Thanks to this experience I have been able to work with students and teachers. I have observed how not all students have the same enthusiasm when it comes to learning new concepts. All this time that I've spent with the teachers has helped me learn different techniques and strategies that you can use when dealing with students who don't behave good or who don't want to cooperate.
Wednesday, October 2, 2013
Independent Component 1 Approval
Content:
1. Describe in detail what you plan to do for your 30 hours.
For my 30 hours, I am planning to volunteer more at Cortez Magnet in Mr. Rainville's 6th grade Math class. I want to help him create lesson plans for the class and I want to be able to tutor students who are struggling with certain topics so that I can gain more experience working with middle schoolers. I will also be grading papers and making copies. I will basically be a teacher's assistant for my independent component.
2. Discuss how or what you will do to meet the expectation of showing 30 hours of evidence/
In order to show evidence of my 30 hours I will have to ask the school if I am allowed to take pictures of the classroom. I will also try to take pictures of the work that students do and of the type of work that I have to grade. I will also try to obtain pictures that show me helping the students.
3. And explain how what you will be doing will help you explore your topic in more depth.
My individual component will help me to build a better relationship with the students. I will be able to observe the different learning techniques that can be used when teaching. I will also be able to obtain information about the students' behaviors and their growth throughout the time. This information will be beneficial when trying to answer my EQ.
1. Describe in detail what you plan to do for your 30 hours.
For my 30 hours, I am planning to volunteer more at Cortez Magnet in Mr. Rainville's 6th grade Math class. I want to help him create lesson plans for the class and I want to be able to tutor students who are struggling with certain topics so that I can gain more experience working with middle schoolers. I will also be grading papers and making copies. I will basically be a teacher's assistant for my independent component.
2. Discuss how or what you will do to meet the expectation of showing 30 hours of evidence/
In order to show evidence of my 30 hours I will have to ask the school if I am allowed to take pictures of the classroom. I will also try to take pictures of the work that students do and of the type of work that I have to grade. I will also try to obtain pictures that show me helping the students.
3. And explain how what you will be doing will help you explore your topic in more depth.
My individual component will help me to build a better relationship with the students. I will be able to observe the different learning techniques that can be used when teaching. I will also be able to obtain information about the students' behaviors and their growth throughout the time. This information will be beneficial when trying to answer my EQ.
Monday, September 30, 2013
Volunteering at a School
I have really enjoyed volunteering at Cortez Mathematics and Science Magnet School because all of the staff and the students are really nice and they are always so enthusiastic and ready to learn. I also feel very comfortable there because I attended 6th, 7th, and 8th grade at this school and I am very familiarized with all the teachers and staff. They all know me very well and have been very nice to me and are always offering to help with whatever I need. I have been volunteering there since freshmen year and I have helped all grade levels from kindergarten to 8th grade.
When I volunteer I help teachers by making copies, laminating posters, helping children cut out things and pasting. We also help students who are struggling with certain topics such as vocabulary, reading comprehension, adding, subtracting, or with science. Students already know me and arent shy to ask me when they need help.
When I volunteer I help teachers by making copies, laminating posters, helping children cut out things and pasting. We also help students who are struggling with certain topics such as vocabulary, reading comprehension, adding, subtracting, or with science. Students already know me and arent shy to ask me when they need help.
Wednesday, September 18, 2013
Second Interview Questions
Content:
1. Who is your mentor and where do they work?
My mentor is Peter Rainville, a 6th grade math teacher. He works at Cortez Mathematics and Science Magnet School and has taught there for about 7 years, since the school opened in 2006.
2. What five questions will you ask them about their background?
-For how long have you been teaching now?
-Where and when did you obtain your teaching credentials?
-How many years did you spend in college in order to become a fully-credentialed teacher?
-What hardships did you face during your first years as a teacher?
-What degree(s) do you have?
1. Who is your mentor and where do they work?
My mentor is Peter Rainville, a 6th grade math teacher. He works at Cortez Mathematics and Science Magnet School and has taught there for about 7 years, since the school opened in 2006.
2. What five questions will you ask them about their background?
-For how long have you been teaching now?
-Where and when did you obtain your teaching credentials?
-How many years did you spend in college in order to become a fully-credentialed teacher?
-What hardships did you face during your first years as a teacher?
-What degree(s) do you have?
Saturday, September 7, 2013
Blog 5 Project Reflection & Working EQ
Content:
Positive Statement:
1. Many positive things have happened as a result of what I have completed so far. I have been able to meet new people who have Lot of knowledge and who are willing to share their knowledge with me. They are willing to let me follow their footsteps and this has allowed me to gain a lot of experience.
EQ Content:
2. One of the articles that helped me improve the understanding of my topic was an article named "Top 10 Teaching Tips for Middle School Math" by Scott Laidlaw. This article provides teachers with useful information and techniques about teaching math. For example, I learned that you should be aware that not all students like studying math and you can't force them to like the subject you just have to do your best and try to apply the lesson that you are teaching to a real world situation.
3. So far I've been able to find people who are willing to be my mentors. I have been in contact with a professor from Cal Poly who teaches math teachers and I will probably interview her later on in the year.
4. One of the things that I have been struggling with is that their isn't many articles that talk about teaching math to middle school students. Most appear to be about general teaching or elementary schools.
5. Finding Value:
- One of the questions I would like to study is "What are the most important strategies when teaching a math class to middle school students?"
- For my mentorship I am planning to continue to volunteer at Cortez Magnet School but I am also going to see if I can volunteer at other middle schools so I can continue to meet and get familiarized with more math teachers.
Positive Statement:
1. Many positive things have happened as a result of what I have completed so far. I have been able to meet new people who have Lot of knowledge and who are willing to share their knowledge with me. They are willing to let me follow their footsteps and this has allowed me to gain a lot of experience.
EQ Content:
2. One of the articles that helped me improve the understanding of my topic was an article named "Top 10 Teaching Tips for Middle School Math" by Scott Laidlaw. This article provides teachers with useful information and techniques about teaching math. For example, I learned that you should be aware that not all students like studying math and you can't force them to like the subject you just have to do your best and try to apply the lesson that you are teaching to a real world situation.
3. So far I've been able to find people who are willing to be my mentors. I have been in contact with a professor from Cal Poly who teaches math teachers and I will probably interview her later on in the year.
4. One of the things that I have been struggling with is that their isn't many articles that talk about teaching math to middle school students. Most appear to be about general teaching or elementary schools.
5. Finding Value:
- One of the questions I would like to study is "What are the most important strategies when teaching a math class to middle school students?"
- For my mentorship I am planning to continue to volunteer at Cortez Magnet School but I am also going to see if I can volunteer at other middle schools so I can continue to meet and get familiarized with more math teachers.
Thursday, August 29, 2013
Blog 4: Interview Preparation
Content:
1. I am planning to interview my former 7th and 8th grade math teacher. I have been helping her for three years now. I want to interview her because I personally think that she is a great teacher and she has good techniques regarding teaching. She has always been able to get the students' attention if they dont like math, she has a way of making math interesting. Aside from being a math teacher she is also a private tutor and has taught many other subjects. She is going to be my mentor throughout this senior project.
2. Some additional questions are:
-How can you help a student that doesnt like math so that they can be able to understand certain topics?
-What is the most difficult thing about your job?
-Do you have any helpful advice about dealing with problematic students?
-How can you create a lesson that will adapt to the students' different learning capacities?
1. I am planning to interview my former 7th and 8th grade math teacher. I have been helping her for three years now. I want to interview her because I personally think that she is a great teacher and she has good techniques regarding teaching. She has always been able to get the students' attention if they dont like math, she has a way of making math interesting. Aside from being a math teacher she is also a private tutor and has taught many other subjects. She is going to be my mentor throughout this senior project.
2. Some additional questions are:
-How can you help a student that doesnt like math so that they can be able to understand certain topics?
-What is the most difficult thing about your job?
-Do you have any helpful advice about dealing with problematic students?
-How can you create a lesson that will adapt to the students' different learning capacities?
Thursday, August 22, 2013
Blog 3: Topic Choice and Semester 1 ESLR Goals
1. My senior project is about teaching Math to Middle School students.
2. iPoly Citizen: In order to show growth as an iPoly citizen I will continue to keep a good attendance like I have for the past years. I will also try to help students in lower grades if they need help with homework or if they simply have any questions about projects that they are or will be doing. I am also now part of the senior class ASB, which means that I will try my best to organize fun activities so that everyone in the school will be able to participate.
Effective Learner: As a senior I want to be able to make time every night to study new lessons so that I can be prepared for test or pop quizzes, that way I wont procrastinate by studying the night before. I also want to take better notes in every class so that I can be able to go back to certain lessons that I didnt completely understand so that I can try to figure it out by myself instead of depending on others to help me.
Effective User of Technology: In order to become an effective user of technology I want to ask my peers who are experts in technology to help me with some of the things that I havent learned how to do. I will also check the blog and my email daily for any new information that the teachers have for us. I also intend to get familiarized with this website and I want to show improvement in each one of my blog posts.
Effective Communicator: I have always been very shy around people, ever since I was in kindergarten. I like to communicate with my friends, but when it comes to talking to the whole class I get paranoid. One of the reasons why I joined the senior ASB was to be able to speak up for myself. I want to be able to give out announcements in front of the class without getting nervous. I am hoping that by the end of the year I can show my peers that I can be a good leader by hearing their opinions and sharing them with the other ASB members. I no longer want to be "the shy girl that never talks", I want to be able to talk to people with ease.
2. iPoly Citizen: In order to show growth as an iPoly citizen I will continue to keep a good attendance like I have for the past years. I will also try to help students in lower grades if they need help with homework or if they simply have any questions about projects that they are or will be doing. I am also now part of the senior class ASB, which means that I will try my best to organize fun activities so that everyone in the school will be able to participate.
Effective Learner: As a senior I want to be able to make time every night to study new lessons so that I can be prepared for test or pop quizzes, that way I wont procrastinate by studying the night before. I also want to take better notes in every class so that I can be able to go back to certain lessons that I didnt completely understand so that I can try to figure it out by myself instead of depending on others to help me.
Effective User of Technology: In order to become an effective user of technology I want to ask my peers who are experts in technology to help me with some of the things that I havent learned how to do. I will also check the blog and my email daily for any new information that the teachers have for us. I also intend to get familiarized with this website and I want to show improvement in each one of my blog posts.
Effective Communicator: I have always been very shy around people, ever since I was in kindergarten. I like to communicate with my friends, but when it comes to talking to the whole class I get paranoid. One of the reasons why I joined the senior ASB was to be able to speak up for myself. I want to be able to give out announcements in front of the class without getting nervous. I am hoping that by the end of the year I can show my peers that I can be a good leader by hearing their opinions and sharing them with the other ASB members. I no longer want to be "the shy girl that never talks", I want to be able to talk to people with ease.
Sunday, August 18, 2013
Summer Mentorship Component
Literal:
1. (Know) Log of specific hours with a total and a description of your dutiesSummer Mentorship Log 2. Contact Name & Number
Sabrina Ortega
(909)837-9310
3. (Need to know) What questions were raised because of the 10 hours of experience? List them.
-Do teachers have to go through any programs in order to renew their teaching credentials?
-Are there any specific methods for teaching children since they all have a different learning capacity?
-How can a teacher make a lesson fun yet educational at the smae time?
Interpretive:
4. What is the most important thing you gained from this experience? Why?
The most important thing that I gained from this experience was that I got to work with students and I was able to observe how they all learn differently. I was also able to participate in the classroom helping students with their homework or creating lesson plans for teachers. Aside from working with students in the classroom I was also able to attend some meetings where all the teachers get together with the principal in order to discuss any progress that has been made.
Applied:
5. How did what you did help you choose a topic? Please explain.
I had already thought about doing this for my senior project because I want to be a teacher. This experience helped me decide on my topic because I enjoyed what I did and I would like to continue doing this kind of volunteer work throughout the year.
Monday, June 10, 2013
2013 2-Hour Presentation Reflections
Literal:
1. Anesthisiology-Zhalia
Running a Skate Shop- Eric S.
Physical Fitness- Jocelyn
Animal Control- Cherokee
Political Campaigns- Angel
Firefighting- Saul
Healthy Mexican Food- Manuel
2. How much time do you have to spend with your mentors? What is the total amount of hours required of mentorship aside from summer mentorship?
Content:
1. I think the most important parts of the senior presentation were the mentorship and research because the students were able to learn a lot through their mentors.
Applied:
1. I am thinking about doing Math Teaching as my senior project because its what I want to do in the future.
1. Anesthisiology-Zhalia
Running a Skate Shop- Eric S.
Physical Fitness- Jocelyn
Animal Control- Cherokee
Political Campaigns- Angel
Firefighting- Saul
Healthy Mexican Food- Manuel
2. How much time do you have to spend with your mentors? What is the total amount of hours required of mentorship aside from summer mentorship?
Content:
1. I think the most important parts of the senior presentation were the mentorship and research because the students were able to learn a lot through their mentors.
Applied:
1. I am thinking about doing Math Teaching as my senior project because its what I want to do in the future.
Monday, May 6, 2013
Summer Mentorship
Literal:
1. (Know) Log of specific hours with a total and a description of your duties (click here for an example)
2. Contact Name & Number
3. (Need to know) What questions were raised because of the 10 hours of experience? List them.
Interpretive
4. What is the most important thing you gained from this experience? Why?
Applied
5. How did what you did help you choose a topic? Please explain.
1. (Know) Log of specific hours with a total and a description of your duties (click here for an example)
2. Contact Name & Number
3. (Need to know) What questions were raised because of the 10 hours of experience? List them.
Interpretive
4. What is the most important thing you gained from this experience? Why?
Applied
5. How did what you did help you choose a topic? Please explain.
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