November Extra Blog Post

At my mentorship this month, I didn't really have the chance to help out in the classroom since I'm not 18 yet. So, I've been preparing the activities in the office.
Early in the month, I have to make the parts for the toolbox for the kids to decorate and put together.

To make these, I just folded red construction paper three times, traced a trapezoid on yellow paper for the kids to cut out, then cut out the handle. Miss Jenny and Miss Florez already cut out the tools, so I didn't need to prepare those.

On the 25th, I prepared the pilgrim hats and native american headbands for the kids to decorate. I also prepared their tracing work. Instead of tracing their name, they traced random shapes and the shape of the week, the circle. 

 We used the realistic feathers.

Blog 10: EQ

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

• 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?

Meets rule of three.

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

Meets rule of three.

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

I feel this does not meet the rule of three because the answer depends on the customer. It does not meet the Take a stance rule because it could be a list of answers.

d.  How can an anesthesiologist best treat chronic pain?

Meets rule of three.

3.  How can a preschool teacher help her students develop their social-emotional skill?

Blog 9: Lesson 1 Reflection

 1. Positive Statement: What are you most proud of in your Lesson 1 Presentation and why?

I’m most proud of my information because I knew what I presented, I referenced my mentorship and my sources.

2. Questions to Consider

1. What assessment would you give yourself on your Lesson 1 Presentation (self-assessment)? P-      
2. Explain why you deserve that grade using evidence from the Lesson 1 component contract.

          I think I deserve a P- because the time was suppose to be between 8 to 10 minutes and I only got about 7 minutes. But I did know all my information and presented all I know about how to answer my working EQ.

3. What worked for you in your Lesson 1?

What worked for me was my whole presentation was explaining what social-emotional skill was and why it is important. Also talking about how to help children develop that skill.

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

I would like to improve on my time. Maybe I could’ve talked more because I know I forgot to mention a few things I was planning on saying in my presentation.

October Blog Post

Hello everyone! So this month during my mentorship, we celebrated Breast Cancer Awareness and Halloween!
For Breast Cancer Awareness, all the teachers wore pink and pinned on a pink duct tape ribbon. That day, I started my Independent Component. I didn't do much, but I prepared the activity I suggested and read to the kids during circle time.

This is the Activity I suggested because that weeks theme was Friendship. They cut the outline out and decorated it.

Then on Halloween, we partied. Not really. Most of our activities were sensory practice and day of the dead projects. For the sensory activities, we had three different tubs. One tub had a few body parts in it with a mixture of cornstarch, red food dye, and water. The second tub was filled with colored pasta noodles dye blue, red, and pink. We put spider rings in with the noodles so the kids could try to take them out with chopsticks. The last tub had mini pumpkin baskets, mini cauldrons, three skeletons, and green jello. The kids just had too put the jello in the baskets, but they did it outside the tub, making a huge mess.

This is the Day of the Dead Skeleton the kids decorated.

On the left, its the necklace that the kids made. They coated the skill pendant with glitter and put whatever beads they wanted on it.

Blog 8 - Research and Working EQ

1.  What is your working EQ?

How can a preschool teacher help her students develop their behavior and social-emotional skill?

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

EQ: How can a preschool teacher help her students develop their behavior and social-emotional skill?

• Have a behavior chart (red, yellow, green), “time out”, or take away some privileges
• Have group activities and rotate them to increase child’s engagement
• Use verbal and nonverbal encouragement for positive interactions
• Limit amount or material so children could share

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

I would have to say that the most important source that has helped me come up with this EQ is  Deborah Carter and Renee Norman’s "Class-Wide Positive Behavior Support In Preschool: Improving Teacher Implementation Through Consultation". It mentions the Positive Behavior Program (PBS) which is to help increase children’s adaptive, pro-social behavior and how bad behavior could affect a child’s life.

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 Jenny Zamora and I'm working with her at the YMCA in Corona-Norco. What I'm doing at the YMCA is preparing Preschoolers for kindergarten and one of the main things we have to help the children with at the YMCA is their social-emotional skill.

Blog 7: Independent Component 1 Aprroval

To get your idea approved now, please answer the following questions:

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

I plan to come up with the activities for the children to do during the class to complete my 30 hours. I’ll teach the children how to do the activity and assist them. My activities will have to depend on the lesson plan of the week/month, so I’ll have to talk to the supervisor, the morning teachers, and my mentor.

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

I’ll meet the expectation of showing proof of my 30 hours by taking pictures of what the children did or bring the leftover activities (coloring pages, tracing, cutting, etc.). I’ll bring pictures of the finished projects of the children and maybe make one for myself to present as proof.

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

Since all the children are different, they’ll learn differently. I thought I could come up with various activities for the children to do to help them learn. Since each week involves a letter, color, number, and tracing their name, I could observe how each child learns them. I’ll be able to see their progress and discover new ways to help them learn.

4.  Update your Senior Project Hours log.

>>>>Senior Project Hours Log

Fun and messy!

Hey guys!

This is really random, but for some of the little projects we did at my mentorship involved shaving cream, glue, and more.

On this cardboard muffin, the frosting is made of shaving cream and glue. It made this sponge or foam-like material when it dried. When you press down on the material, it leaves a mark where your finger pushed, but it disappeared after a while.

Another activity, the children made gak. Gak is just like silly putty. I'm blanking on the other materials we used, but I remember the main material was Elmer's glue. It's very sticky and slimy, but fun.

Blog 6: Second Interview Preparation

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

Miss Jenny is my mentor and she works at the YMCA as a Preschool Teacher. She has been working in the YMCA for about 4 years.

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

1. Where did you go to college and what did you study? Why?
2. What other studies or careers were you interested in before? Why did your interest change?
3. From your volunteer experience and experience working at other schools, what were the differences?
4. What are a few skills needed in this work field?
5. What are some pros and cons being a preschool teacher?

Blog 5: Mentorship Reflection Answer

1. Mentorship question: Describe your experience in how you found your mentorship?  If you haven't found one yet, describe your experience so far in the search of a mentor.

At first, I wanted to do my mentorship in Nursing. During summer break, I checked with all my relatives who are nurses to ask their supervisors if I could volunteer at their hospital, but they kept telling me I had to at least 18. I checked by a few local clinics, but they also said I had to be 18.

I went to my other choice which revolved around working with children. I checked at a local day care to see if I could volunteer with them, but they told me I had to be 18, have my TB test and get my life scan.

When I looked online for local daycares, I found the YMCA CorNor website. They had a volunteer page, so I emailed the coordinator about volunteering. She emailed me back and said I could volunteer. I just had to come in for an interview and fill out the volunteer application form.

I was relieved that I found something since school was about to start in two weeks. I spoke with the coordinator and told her about how I was going to have my senior project topic be teaching preschool. She hooked me up with one of the preschool teacher, Miss Jenny, at the Main Y and I started right away.

2. Research question: What has been your most important article you have read so far and why?

The most important article I read so far was “Helping Children Play and Learn Together” by Michaelene M. Ostrosky and Hedda Meadan. I thought this article is important because it focuses on children’s social emotional development. Miss Jenny mentioned during our interview that at the YMCA, they must prepare the children’s social emotional skills and cognitive development so they children will be able to grow more independent. The children should be able to make positive interactions and relationships with their peers to be successful in school since they’re always going to interact with people.

Mentorship

So yesterday when I went to my Mentorship, we made banana pudding. It was an activity for Friday since this weeks theme was cooking. We just used milk, banana flavored Jello mix, and mini nilla wafers. Each child had their own cup and mixed their Jello mix with milk to make their pudding. After I checked to see if they mixed it well, Miss Jenny gave them sliced bananas and Miss Liz gave them the nilla wafers.

Since the YMCA is still on the summer schedule, there's a theme every week. But starting in the week of September 8th, the school schedule will start. There will be a theme for a month or so. The class size will also be bigger.

Blog 4: Interview Preparation Answer

1.)  Who do you plan to interview?  Why?

I plan to interview one of my mentors, Miss Jenny, because she manages most of the activities during the day. She is the person to come up with what the kids will do in the afternoon.

2.)  You have to ask 5 questions.  What additional questions do you plan to ask?  Ask open-ended questions.  What are open-ended questions? Click here! If that doesn't help, try this one.  Click here!

1. What led you to work with children?

2. What do you think should be the most important thing to teach children before starting school? Why?

3. How would you discipline a child if they’re constantly causing trouble?

4. How do you come up with the activities for the children? What are a few sources you use?

Blog 3: Topic Choice and Working EQ Answer

1.  List your topic here: Teaching Preschool

2.  Write a question that helps to focus your research this month.

What is the most effective way a Preschool Teacher could prepare children for school?

3. Post the working bibliography (WB) on the right hand side of the blog and share it so anybody can view it.

The link to my WB is here: Sabrina's Working Bibliography

Blog 2: Summer Mentorship Answer

1. Mentorship Log

2. What is the contact name & number of where you volunteered?

YMCA CorNor- Therese Marquez

Phone: (951)736-1415 E-mail: marquez@ycornor.org

3. What questions were raised because of the 10 hours of experience?  List them.

What’s the best way to teach preschoolers?

What’s the best way to interact with the children?

How do you discipline the children?

What do you do if the child throws a tantrum?

What’s the best way to redirect a child to doing their work?

4. What is the most important thing you gained from this experience? Why?

My mentor, Miss Jenny, informed me that if a child throws a tantrum and started to throw their arms around, we have to move them away from the table or the shelves, so nothing falls on them and hurts them. This is important because you have to think about the child's safety.

5. What is your senior project topic going to be?  How did what you did help you choose a topic?  Please explain.

My senior topic is going to be Teaching Preschool. I chose this topic because I have had experience in a classroom with school age kids during Saturday church classes. I also thought teaching preschool would be interesting to be able to see how the kids all interact with each other or what way they learn best.

Blog 1: 2 Hours Presentations Answer

1.  What presentations did you see?

Martinez, Debora - Social Work for Abused Children

Posada, Bryan - Gracie Jiu Jitsu

Dalan, Ashley - Occupational Therapy

Ortega, Michelle - Neonatal Nursing Intensive Care

QP, Nitjasin - Pediatric Dentistry

Ethridge, Jeremy - EMT(First Aid)

Gallardo, Kimberly - Personality Disorders

Avila, Emmely - Music Industry

Song, Daniel - Physical Therapy

Yamashita, Bradley - Homelessness

Baron, RJ - Medical Missionary

McConnaughey, Lara - Linguistics

Patena, Mark - Hip Hop Dance Choreography

Salud, Allyana - Nursing

Negrete, Tannia - Business Management

Sambo, Marilyn - Domestic Violence

2.   What questions do you have that haven't been answered about the senior project? This can be about the senior project in general, any components or about a presentation topic you saw or what they said.  

Do we need a certain amount of published sources for our senior topic?

Do we need our mentorship to be checked by the teachers?

For research check, do we need to have print sources (books, magazines, etc.) or could it just be web sources?

For the EQ, do we have to have three answers for it or could we have more?

3. What has the most important part of the senior project based on what you are seeing in the 2-hour presentations?

The mentorships are really important, showing that the presenter had experience in that field of work and learned more about that career. Also, having some published information on their senior topic is important. It’s helpful to know what your topic is and other things about it.

4. What topic are you considering doing and why?

I’m considering on doing my senior project on nursing because I might want to pursue working in the medical field. If I do work in the medical field, I hope to be a midwife. If not, having knowledge about caring for a person could be very helpful.

5. What are you doing for your summer mentorship?

I plan to shadow with some of my relatives who work in the medical field. I talked to one of my aunt’s who actually teaches a nursing class, so hopefully I would be able to shadow with her. If not, I’ll try to check with my other relatives.