My Workplace-Tues. Oct 11th
My workplace is at Cherry Land Elementary School. My class is room 14 with Ms.Freiland. Her classroom is half 1st graders and half 2nd graders so extra help keeps all 35 students focused and involved with the work being done in class. My workplace is located near Sunset High School in Hayward, a few short miles away from my house. It is next to a small street and surrounded by trees, near the train tracks. There are many classrooms in the school so there is a lot of faculty and staff working at Cherry Land. Cherry Land employs educators, cooks, coaches, art instructors, and janitorial help. Most of the staff has a four year college degree or higher. My workplace serves children and their families by educating the youth to become successful. Some strengths of my work place is cooperation, organization, and high standards of education. So far I have seen no weaknesses in my workplace.
My Mentor- Tues. Oct 18th
My Mentors name is Ms.Freiland and she's been teaching for 40 years. A typical day is to get into class, set up classwork and the agenda. Make sure kids are all prepared for the day. Once class starts she does instruction and helps the kids who have difficulty (IEP's). After each break a new subject is being taught so in between she sets up for a new subject. After school is over she puts her classroom back together and grades work. In order to become a teacher you need a teaching credential in college.
My Role- Tues Oct 25th
My main responsibility is to keep the children on task. In the mornings when Roxana and I come in we help set up materials and get the overview of the workday. I believe my title is teachers assistant. The classroom contains about 35 students (1st and 2nd grade) so we help with one group while the other is recieving instructions. For example, at my last internship day I went in and took down all the chairs. That day there was a substitute, Mr.Bateman, and my partner and I told him we were there to assist him and keep the children working on the standards for that day. We started off with grammar and ending marks. Instead of giving the children the correct answer I gave them clues as to when a question mark, period, or an exclamation mark were used. During recess we took their completed work and wrote the correct number over the total number. The next subject was math, usually second grade and first grade recieve different worksheets but that day that wasn't the case. All the children went over adding double numbers. For example:
6+6=12
At the end of the day the students matched words that sound the same and read. During this activity we helped the children with IEP's smoothly read and comprehend the paragraphs. When the kids all left my partner and I helped clean up the floor and puts crayons back where they belong.
Other tasks that I complete each week are observing the classroom. My project based off of my WLE must be useful to the classroom. I'm trying to decide what area I could help most in. So far I've noticed organization could be improved and I could make activities for kids to do when there's empty time.
A regular day is I wake up and get dropped off at CherryLand. I walk into the office and get my visitors pass. Once I'm in class I help take down some chairs and look at the schedule for the day. During the first break I call my advisor to check in. In class my mentor gives instructions to the class. First graders then second graders. My partner and I sharpen and hand out pencils and help kids get out their materials. When they raise their hands I walk over to answer their questions, help then understand, and sharpen or get them pencils. During the second break my partner usually grade and in the third break we go out onto the yard to make sure students are playing fairly. Through out the day we grade and assist children. If she's with the first graders, I'll go over to the second graders and make sure they're doing their work and read quietly when they are finished. At the end of the day we grade packets sometimes, of homework they did over the week.
6+6=12
At the end of the day the students matched words that sound the same and read. During this activity we helped the children with IEP's smoothly read and comprehend the paragraphs. When the kids all left my partner and I helped clean up the floor and puts crayons back where they belong.
Other tasks that I complete each week are observing the classroom. My project based off of my WLE must be useful to the classroom. I'm trying to decide what area I could help most in. So far I've noticed organization could be improved and I could make activities for kids to do when there's empty time.
A regular day is I wake up and get dropped off at CherryLand. I walk into the office and get my visitors pass. Once I'm in class I help take down some chairs and look at the schedule for the day. During the first break I call my advisor to check in. In class my mentor gives instructions to the class. First graders then second graders. My partner and I sharpen and hand out pencils and help kids get out their materials. When they raise their hands I walk over to answer their questions, help then understand, and sharpen or get them pencils. During the second break my partner usually grade and in the third break we go out onto the yard to make sure students are playing fairly. Through out the day we grade and assist children. If she's with the first graders, I'll go over to the second graders and make sure they're doing their work and read quietly when they are finished. At the end of the day we grade packets sometimes, of homework they did over the week.
Project Brainstorm- Tues. Nov 1st
I will create packets for second graders that they will do when they are done with their work. The second graders do their work fairly quick and sometimes the first graders are still working. When this happens the second graders begin to talk to get into trouble, in order to avoid this, I plan to give them something to do. Not only will this give them something to do, it will be work based of their standards so they will also be learning and practicing.
I came up with this idea when my Academic Seminar teacher, Mentor, and I had a meeting together. We went over the needs of the classroom, such as organization and more practice with standards. I believe this will benefit my mentor in that she'll be able to focus on one group while the other is quiet.
I'm excited to do this project because I feel as though I'd be helping my mentor and the kids. I'll be helping the kids by giving them more practice with their standards and my mentor will be able to teach in order. For the next three to four weeks I'm going to recieve the list of standards for second graders. I noticed in some textbooks there are some errors and the standards are not ordered properly. With the standards I recieve I will be able to order them in that they make sense. As the questions and work go on they'll get harder. The less difficult standards will be taught and practiced before any of the hard work. I will create packets based off these standards, go over them with my mentor, and then hand it to the second graders. I will tell them that when they are finished with their work they are to do the packet.
I came up with this idea when my Academic Seminar teacher, Mentor, and I had a meeting together. We went over the needs of the classroom, such as organization and more practice with standards. I believe this will benefit my mentor in that she'll be able to focus on one group while the other is quiet.
I'm excited to do this project because I feel as though I'd be helping my mentor and the kids. I'll be helping the kids by giving them more practice with their standards and my mentor will be able to teach in order. For the next three to four weeks I'm going to recieve the list of standards for second graders. I noticed in some textbooks there are some errors and the standards are not ordered properly. With the standards I recieve I will be able to order them in that they make sense. As the questions and work go on they'll get harder. The less difficult standards will be taught and practiced before any of the hard work. I will create packets based off these standards, go over them with my mentor, and then hand it to the second graders. I will tell them that when they are finished with their work they are to do the packet.
Example art/work.
This is a journal and illustration based off of Halloween. One student wrote about his family, candy, and costume.
Progress on my WLE Project- Tues. 8th
Today at my WLE at Cherryland Elementary School I graded packets of homework the kids completed during the week. My mentor went over our goals and concerns about certain students in the class. First, I worked individually with students to correct their journals. With one student in particular I taught them that in a title most words are capitalized and "Thankful" is not capitalized every other time you use it unless it is at the beginning of a sentence or in the title. I fixed some issues with handwriting and using your thumb to space out your words. After the break I worked with kids who needed to do flash-cards. My co-worker and I decided they needed help with blending sounds and how certain words sound together. For example: th-, -ce, and wh-.
I brought up with my mentor my ideas about the second graders. They are expected to do many things in this grade that they'll need to be prepared for so she agreed that the packets/folders would be a beneficial addition. She gave me the list of standards and example learning games for me to use as I make the packets. So far I have looked through the packet and I am organizing standards. I want the skills to go easiest to hardest with frequent review at the end.
I brought up with my mentor my ideas about the second graders. They are expected to do many things in this grade that they'll need to be prepared for so she agreed that the packets/folders would be a beneficial addition. She gave me the list of standards and example learning games for me to use as I make the packets. So far I have looked through the packet and I am organizing standards. I want the skills to go easiest to hardest with frequent review at the end.
Leadership Skills-Tues. 15th
The Leadership Skill that I am utilizing the most is Thinking Critically because I'm using what I know about the 2nd graders and their standards in order to create work that will help them do well on tests. I'm using the standards to create work they will understand and that will help them grow.I thought hard about what skills will help them the most and what topic specifically they needed help on.
I'm using this skill the best I can. Every time that I find it to be necessary, I'll offer alternative ideas. I can improve on this leadership skill by being more creative with the ideas I offer or how I teach the kids one on one.
This leadership skill helps me teach the kids words and new ideas. Because some kids learn in different ways, it helps to have many different approaches to teaching. Another way it has helped me is dealing with children's behavioral issues. It takes a lot of thought to solve problems and I have used this skill many times out on the field.
My mentor utilized two leadership skills. First, she thinks critically. She has a big class of 2nd and 1st graders and she has to find time to fit two long lesson plans into one day. She also uses manage projects effectively. In a day she has many tasks to complete and she makes time for them because she knows that they have to be done.
I'm using this skill the best I can. Every time that I find it to be necessary, I'll offer alternative ideas. I can improve on this leadership skill by being more creative with the ideas I offer or how I teach the kids one on one.
This leadership skill helps me teach the kids words and new ideas. Because some kids learn in different ways, it helps to have many different approaches to teaching. Another way it has helped me is dealing with children's behavioral issues. It takes a lot of thought to solve problems and I have used this skill many times out on the field.
My mentor utilized two leadership skills. First, she thinks critically. She has a big class of 2nd and 1st graders and she has to find time to fit two long lesson plans into one day. She also uses manage projects effectively. In a day she has many tasks to complete and she makes time for them because she knows that they have to be done.
Reflection- Tues. 22nd
I've learned that I can impact someone's stress load just by helping out with tasks big and small. For example, if I help one group of kids Ms.Freidland can help the other and not have to worry about trying to do two activities at once. I also learned that I like helping children and special cases of learning.
A challenge I came across was teaching kids individually using different methods. One student knew big words, but, didn't know how to sound out or memorize small ones such as "who". So, with that student I went over how to sound out and blend words. Another student knew all the small words but had trouble with the bigger vocabulary. For her I split up the word into smaller parts.
From this experience I've learned that education is extremely important in the early stages of life, finding fun or more inviting teaching methods makes the child happy to learn, support encourages motivation, and helping others has made me happy.
My creativity kicked in when I was contemplating on what to do for my project. I had to find something that was useful to my mentor, but, would also impact the kids education. So when I decided to create the packets my first step was to make it to their level and a little above so that they'd get to learn more,
My WLE effected me in that I've learned a lot. I've learned that I like working and helping others. I also believe it effected my mentor because my partner and I reduced her stress on tuesdays by helping out. And lastly, I hope it effects the children. I hope they know the importance of education and focusing when they need to.
I used to think that second and first grade was so easy because it's the absolute basics. But, I was wrong. Of course it's hard, they're young and still getting used to the school/classroom setting and have to learn a lot in those years. Without the skills they learn there they won't be able to do much in more advanced classes.
A skill I learned is teaching. I used to tutor my friends or help them with projects but every time I tried to explain a new idea it sounded confusing. Working with teachers has helped me understand how to teach or tutor.
If someone asked me why what I did at my WLE was important I wound say "because I'm helping these children prepare for their future." In my future I will help others more often because it's healthy, it makes me feel better as a person.
A challenge I came across was teaching kids individually using different methods. One student knew big words, but, didn't know how to sound out or memorize small ones such as "who". So, with that student I went over how to sound out and blend words. Another student knew all the small words but had trouble with the bigger vocabulary. For her I split up the word into smaller parts.
From this experience I've learned that education is extremely important in the early stages of life, finding fun or more inviting teaching methods makes the child happy to learn, support encourages motivation, and helping others has made me happy.
My creativity kicked in when I was contemplating on what to do for my project. I had to find something that was useful to my mentor, but, would also impact the kids education. So when I decided to create the packets my first step was to make it to their level and a little above so that they'd get to learn more,
My WLE effected me in that I've learned a lot. I've learned that I like working and helping others. I also believe it effected my mentor because my partner and I reduced her stress on tuesdays by helping out. And lastly, I hope it effects the children. I hope they know the importance of education and focusing when they need to.
I used to think that second and first grade was so easy because it's the absolute basics. But, I was wrong. Of course it's hard, they're young and still getting used to the school/classroom setting and have to learn a lot in those years. Without the skills they learn there they won't be able to do much in more advanced classes.
A skill I learned is teaching. I used to tutor my friends or help them with projects but every time I tried to explain a new idea it sounded confusing. Working with teachers has helped me understand how to teach or tutor.
If someone asked me why what I did at my WLE was important I wound say "because I'm helping these children prepare for their future." In my future I will help others more often because it's healthy, it makes me feel better as a person.
Professionalism- Tues. 29th
In order to find my WLE I first had to figure out my previous experiences and conclude what I liked. I then had to network. I called different companies and sent them my resume. I found Cherryland through my friends parent (i.e Networking).
I first had to figure out my previous experiences and conclude what I liked. I then had to network. I called different companies and sent them my resume. I found Cherryland through my friends parent (i.e Networking).The most effective way to look for a job is to start off with local businesses or as the people around you of companies they may be connected to. For example, I live in Hayward so I looked at businesses downtown like The Book Shop. I also asked my grandparents and teachers about businesses related to my interests. The most effective way of getting hired is too act professional, pay attention, be polite, and know your qualities (in other words sell your intelligence or labor skills). My first interview was in San Fransisco with a company called ITVS. I called him and after going over my interests and what his company is all about we planned for an interview. I arrived early for my interview and dressed professionally. During the interview I did not interrupt, I made small conversation, I went over previous experience, and I asked him questions.
As a result of my WLE I think that being a professional adult in the work world means that you understand the company, do what is asked of you, produce good quality work, not give up, create networks/ new friendly relationships, and make your company look good.
I first had to figure out my previous experiences and conclude what I liked. I then had to network. I called different companies and sent them my resume. I found Cherryland through my friends parent (i.e Networking).The most effective way to look for a job is to start off with local businesses or as the people around you of companies they may be connected to. For example, I live in Hayward so I looked at businesses downtown like The Book Shop. I also asked my grandparents and teachers about businesses related to my interests. The most effective way of getting hired is too act professional, pay attention, be polite, and know your qualities (in other words sell your intelligence or labor skills). My first interview was in San Fransisco with a company called ITVS. I called him and after going over my interests and what his company is all about we planned for an interview. I arrived early for my interview and dressed professionally. During the interview I did not interrupt, I made small conversation, I went over previous experience, and I asked him questions.
As a result of my WLE I think that being a professional adult in the work world means that you understand the company, do what is asked of you, produce good quality work, not give up, create networks/ new friendly relationships, and make your company look good.
The End- Tues. 13th
My final thoughts about my WLE is that teaching is tough, but, rewarding. Teaching kids can be hard because they don't grasp concepts as quickly as we'd like. When a child finally does learn the skill it is rewarding because you feel as if you did your job in helping them. My WLE taught me to be patient with others and to share my knowledge. As a junior I know that next year I would like to find a creative internship and one that helps a community. I will first search locally and if nothing comes of that I will begin looking in other cities.
