November Update

GOBBLE GOBBLE! Thanksgiving break is sadly coming to an end, goodbye November. You will be missed. 

For the past month, I've been visiting two of my favorite places. The first place being the wonderful library, mainly for research, and the second place is... (drum-roll) Starbucks! Even though I don't drink anything with caffeine, I still go to Starbucks. Why? They serve a mean hot chocolate that goes perfectly with the cold weather and a good book. My topic, Elementary School Teaching, has surprisingly allowed me pick up some great books at my local library with ease. I've been reading Great Habits Great Readers by Paul Bambrick-Santoyo, Aja Settles, and Juliana Worrel for almost a week. Although I haven't read very far into the book yet, its given me the foundation to a possible answer for my essential question. Another book that has given me more insite to my senior topic is The Parent Backpack for Kindergarten through Grade 5 by ML Nichols.

I haven't had the opportunity to attend mentorship recently due to complicating schedules. For this reason, I was in search for another mentor and decided to contact my summer mentors. By the end of the week, I'll hopefully be able to resolve this hiccup. My independent component was going to be 30 hours with my mentor but because of my current situation, mentor-less, I thought about designing a unit that would improve a student motor skills instead. I'll be consulting with my house teacher in further detail when the break is over. 

Above there is a video of a very festive and easy craft for kids. If you have any free-time and bored children under the age of seven, this will entertain. Trust me. Now, this month's quote is one of my favorites yet by John Fitzgerald and could be to deep for the children, but, it's fitting for the month of November.  

"As we express our gratitude... we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them." - John Fitzgerald Kennedy 

Blog 10: EQ

Content

1. Essential Question 

Once a topic is chosen, the student will develop a working essential question.  The purpose of the working essential question is to help the student build a strong foundation of research which will allow her or him to create an essential question that encourages depth and rigor in the chosen topic.  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)

I reviewed the rule of three for writing an EQ.

2.  Review the following EQs: 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?

Does NOT meet rule of three. The question doesn't allow "breadth and depth of research" because it isn't specific enough. 

 b.  What is most important to securing a conviction in a criminal investigation?

Meets rule of three. The question is clear and concise, allowing for a wide range of possible answers.

 c.  What is most important in creating a hairstyle that best satisfies a customer?

Does NOT meet rule of three. The question isn't formatted for yes/no answers, but it creates list answers.

 d.  How can an anesthesiologist best treat chronic pain?

Meets rule of three. The question takes a stance, allowing you to research properly and the format meets rule(s).

3.  Based on your review of the rule of 3 and your experience with assessing four EQs, please write another draft EQ for your senior project.  

What is the most effective way to produce fluent readers in elementary school with the basis of the arts? 

Blog 9: Lesson 1 Reflection

Content:

1. Positive Statement 

What are you most proud of in your Lesson 1 Presentation and why?
I am most proud of how my hook activity was executed in my Lesson 1 Presentation. When I presented the color theory [hook] activity, I explained what there was to learn from it and referred it throughout my presentation with examples of real life scenarios. My house seemed to enjoy the audience interaction that came from the hook and some laughs were shared, creating a calming atmosphere. 

2. Questions to Consider (a-b)  

a. What assessment would you give yourself on your Lesson 1 Presentation (self-assessment)?
AE    P+     AP     CR     NC

b. Explain why you deserve that grade using evidence from the Lesson 1 component contract.
I believe that I earned a "P+" overall for my Lesson 1 Presentation. I was an effective communicator, balancing "volume/enunciation" and "body language/eye contact," and successfully engaged my audience. I meet all the "P" considerations requirements and posted this reflection blog after my presentation.  

3. What worked for you in your Lesson 1?
What worked for me, in my Lesson 1, was the amount of time spent planning what I wanted to present and then also rehearsing out loud a couple of times. I believe that because I made the effort to rehearse, each time under 10 minutes, I was able to get a better idea of the time constraint in Lesson 1. I felt much more confident because of the prep and did not go over time.  

4. (What didn't work) If you had a time machine, what would you have done differently to improve your lesson 1?
If I had a time machine, I would most likely rearrange some of the content of my lecture. My senior topic, Elementary School Teaching, in a way is very broad. This is a reason as to way I had a variety of research to present, but, next time I would defiantly try to narrow down my topic and focus on more specific research to present.