Blog Post #1 : My Workplace : Tuesday October 11th, 2011
Tuesday October 4th, 2011 was the first day of my WLE and I think it went well. I am working at a
preschool in Hayward by the name of Woodroe Woods, and my mentors name is Myeesha Thomas.
I know the fact that I am good with kids impressed my mentor cause she said it was impressive. The
area though I think I will need the most help in is finding a project to do and being patient. Which I know
by the help of her and my Academic seminar teacher I can accomplish.
I have no questions really about my WLE that have not been answered because I am always busy
doing something. As for my Advisor I just want to know how the Blog is suppose to work and are the
Blog prompts that we are doing the same as the ones on the website or different ?
preschool in Hayward by the name of Woodroe Woods, and my mentors name is Myeesha Thomas.
I know the fact that I am good with kids impressed my mentor cause she said it was impressive. The
area though I think I will need the most help in is finding a project to do and being patient. Which I know
by the help of her and my Academic seminar teacher I can accomplish.
I have no questions really about my WLE that have not been answered because I am always busy
doing something. As for my Advisor I just want to know how the Blog is suppose to work and are the
Blog prompts that we are doing the same as the ones on the website or different ?
Blog Post #2 : My Mentor : Tuesday October 18th, 2011
My mentors name is Myeesha Thomas and she works at Woodroe Woods as a Preschool teacher in Hayward, California. Her normal daily routine involves coming in and doing many projects, playing with them, and mini-lessons that involve them teaching them new skills. Mainly starting off with circle time were they gather together read a story and sing songs than do the days date and pick the 2 dinosaurs of the day. With this they also count who is there together and see if there is more or less students there than absent (some math too, to see the difference between absent and at school). After this she explains the stations that they can work at and the two dino's of the day dismiss the kids. The kids pick stations and do projects. Then a little while later snack is put out for those who want it and they can help themselves to it after washing their hands. Then comes clean up time where they clean up and then go outside. They come back in read a story in circle and one by one go wash their hands then eat lunch. After lunch they nap until 1:00 pm. They get up and play some more, eat snack and then eventually go back outside. Once 5:00pm comes around they come in and wait to go home but before they go home they have 5:30 pm snack which is their left over lunches and by then i am go but the school closes and they play until its time to go.
Blog Post #3 : My Role : Tuesday October 25th, 2011
My main responsibility at my internship is to be a teachers assistance. This role includes, filing papers, cutting out papers for projects, making copies, and many more things. I use this role all throughout the day when there. I am also helping the students with their projects and even assisting them with their projects when I am not doing other projects or things. Each week I complete things such as rite now my WLE project, but I also file the kids weekly sign-in sheets for the teachers so that the parents can see in the long run the students improvement in their handwriting skills. Another thing I do is file their classwork (projects throughout the day) in their cubbies. A usual day for me starts with coming strait in and putting my personal belongings in the back room, than checking to see if any papers are sitting out that need to be filed. If not like Tuesday (October 25th, 2011) I go sit with them as they read a story and then finish to go do projects. When they get up and are dismissed there are 3 tables set up for projects and the block area and other things are always there to play with. I will usually ask if I need to do anything if not I just either start on my project or assist a project that their doing. Than Clean up time starts and the kids go out for play time outside. While this is going on I usually check in with the other group and do things for them, if not I go outside and play with the kids instead. Than when they come back inside they are read stories and one by one go and wash their hands for lunch. When done washing up I assist with taking lunches out and than I go on my lunch break :). When I'm back I sweep and wipe the tables and start filing the weekly log in sheets and when done the kids usually are up from nap and they sit at circle for a little while longer then back outside at 3:00pm. and the remainder of time I'm usually outside with them and come back inside at 5:00pm which is the conclusion of my day.
Blog #4 : Project Brainstorm : Tuesday November 1st, 2011
For my WLE project I already have that set. So what I am going to do is continue my body outlines. I came up with this idea because when I was little it was a project that I did and usually they do it every year so with this project it teaches the kids about how everyone is different and its usually stapled to the roof so that the students will be able to understand the difference between everyone and it gives them time to think. The thing I am excited for is doing a lesson plan and interacting with the kids as their teacher. I think this project will be real fun because it would be interesting to see how the kids change and to see if after this the kids act differently towards each other. In order to accomplish this though I do not need anything because the kids (Majority) are already outlined and i only have like another 10, which wont take long at all. Than as for a lesson plan I would need to talk about that with the teachers but in that lesson plan I want to read books on how everyone is alike such as doing little talliers with outer appearances and than doing things like who likes to go to the park. and than show how two kids who look totally different like the same thing. Proving that everyone is alike in some ways.
Blog #5 : Progress on my WLE Project, part 1 : Tuesday November 8th, 2011
Today at my internship I took out my body tracing activity and let those who I traced color them in and draw on them. I also did the things that I did daily which include filing papers [in cubbies and log in sheets], playing with the kids, and just assisting the teachers in anyway possible such as cutting papers, making copies, drawing things out and helping clean up. Today I asked my mentor if I could add on to my project by reading the kids books on how everyone is different but we should still treat everyone equally no matter how they look. I also asked if it would be okay to put the kids into groups by their outer appearance than by things they like (ie. dogs, candy, music) to show we can still like the same things; And my mentor agreed to this. So far on my project I have accomplished like 18 body outlines and some kids now want me to trace them so I might be making more than that. I have also let like 6 of the kids start coloring their outlines. OUTLINE IS IN MY EMAIL,
Blog #6 : Leadership Skills : Tuesday November 15th, 2011
At my WLE I believe that I am utilizing the leadership skill Thinking critically because throughout the day I am put through situations were I have to think before acting upon something. Also knowing that I am being watched and representing myself and my school I need to focus on my actions things not only done but said too. I am doing really good at this though because I am constantly on top of this. Such as if an argument occurs I know to first stop the children and then asked what happened and from this depending on the circumstances act on it or take them to another teacher who can handle things better than myself. Just as this one, I also use communicating Powerfully all throughout the day by talking with the kids and the teachers and asking what I can do and voicing if im stuck. Although I'm great with talking I can still do better by engaging with the kids more not just talking to them here and there but playing with them more; such as, maybe making more sandcastles, playing barbies, racing cars, drawing pictures, etc.. These leadership skills are very helpful for me to do my work because with them I am able to prioritize my work that I am given and when I am stuck ask follow up questions to get more clarity. Just like myself I think my mentor uses thinking critically the most because all throughout the day she is put through situations were she has to think about what she should do. This is a great skill because with this she is doing her best and constantly thinking about her actions and other things.
Blog #7 : What I learned, Reflection : Tuesday November 22nd, 2011
1. I have learned much about myself since starting my WLE such as I am great with instructions and with helping kids when they need help with things and also by pushing them to do things themselves if they don't think they can.
2. A challenge I faced when attending my WLE was mostly finding a project because throughout the day I already did and helped with projects so thinking of one that would have a long term affect and what it would accomplish was most challenging, but when talking to my Mentor I was able to overcome that and she was able to help me brainstorm some things that would work for my project and its reasoning.
3. Some long-term lessons I learned was that being a teacher is not easy and it can be very frustrating when kids don't listen or push your buttons. Another lesson I learned was that kids are really fun to be around and I like them a lot more than I ever thought they would be.
4. During this time so far I have had many opportunities to show my creative side such as my actual project and drawing things for the teachers and putting up boards and organizing things and plenty other things, but other ways that are not visual are when I have to stop an argument between kids I have to make them both see its not wrong but not offend them so it can test me cause sometimes the kids don't agree and just want to be difficult.
5. Well I'm not so much shy but just because I had already knew these people and I went to this preschool it was really weird and the first day or two I was very shy and in my bubble (also my sister worked there). This affected me because I had very boring days at first and got annoyed from being so bored at first but eventually I burst-ed that bubble and came out :)
6. I know now that from this experience a job is not always going to be boring if its something you truly enjoy and like doing. Before I did this I never really thought of being a teacher too because of how i thought it would be, but now everything is just interesting and its a job that keeps you up and on your toes. Thats something I like too.
7. I learned about organization more, working a copy machine, and solving problems in a reasonable way. Organization is really important because with out it everything can be easily misplaced and the days would be hectic and crazy so thats a skill I already had but I need to now not loose. Working a copy machine is SUPER important. I learned new ways to work it and ways to make coping easier. This is a helpful skill because you constantly have to make copies and you don't need to copy one at a time but do it fastly. And solving problems is good because you don't want to make things better and not worse in any way possible.
8. I would tell them as soon as I am done with my project that I was able to cause awareness with the outer appearance and how people should still be viewed equally. My project will help them to treat others equally and try harder to make friends not loose them.
9. I don't slack off at my WLE i constantly push myself to try harder and do more things and help more. This will help me when I get older or in the near future to not get lazy and to do my work to the best of my ability.
2. A challenge I faced when attending my WLE was mostly finding a project because throughout the day I already did and helped with projects so thinking of one that would have a long term affect and what it would accomplish was most challenging, but when talking to my Mentor I was able to overcome that and she was able to help me brainstorm some things that would work for my project and its reasoning.
3. Some long-term lessons I learned was that being a teacher is not easy and it can be very frustrating when kids don't listen or push your buttons. Another lesson I learned was that kids are really fun to be around and I like them a lot more than I ever thought they would be.
4. During this time so far I have had many opportunities to show my creative side such as my actual project and drawing things for the teachers and putting up boards and organizing things and plenty other things, but other ways that are not visual are when I have to stop an argument between kids I have to make them both see its not wrong but not offend them so it can test me cause sometimes the kids don't agree and just want to be difficult.
5. Well I'm not so much shy but just because I had already knew these people and I went to this preschool it was really weird and the first day or two I was very shy and in my bubble (also my sister worked there). This affected me because I had very boring days at first and got annoyed from being so bored at first but eventually I burst-ed that bubble and came out :)
6. I know now that from this experience a job is not always going to be boring if its something you truly enjoy and like doing. Before I did this I never really thought of being a teacher too because of how i thought it would be, but now everything is just interesting and its a job that keeps you up and on your toes. Thats something I like too.
7. I learned about organization more, working a copy machine, and solving problems in a reasonable way. Organization is really important because with out it everything can be easily misplaced and the days would be hectic and crazy so thats a skill I already had but I need to now not loose. Working a copy machine is SUPER important. I learned new ways to work it and ways to make coping easier. This is a helpful skill because you constantly have to make copies and you don't need to copy one at a time but do it fastly. And solving problems is good because you don't want to make things better and not worse in any way possible.
8. I would tell them as soon as I am done with my project that I was able to cause awareness with the outer appearance and how people should still be viewed equally. My project will help them to treat others equally and try harder to make friends not loose them.
9. I don't slack off at my WLE i constantly push myself to try harder and do more things and help more. This will help me when I get older or in the near future to not get lazy and to do my work to the best of my ability.
Blog #8 : Professionalism : Tuesday November 29th, 2011
I remember back to when I was looking for a WLE to attend and go to. It was a very nerve wrecking and stressful process but I was able to tackle that by using my resources and asking my family and friends about their jobs or parents jobs and or their own jobs. With this I had a couple options open but the one that stood out the most was the one I'm currently at. The number one thing I had to remember though was that this was not like a career for me and if I did not like it I had to stay professional and continue throughout the time but dont make that known to anyone. But I do like it and I'm glad I got this one cause I'm more hands on and not sitting behind a desk all day. So the most effective way of looking for a job and getting hired is by maintaining a professional manor, being very understanding, and responsible. As a result of my WLE, I think being a professional or a responsible adult in the work world means to put our best foot forth and try our hardest. Also by knowing who is over you and not getting out of your place, because just as easy as it is for them to except you into their work place they can also fire you just as quick.
Blog #9 : Life at my WLE : Tuesday December 6th, 2011
Today at my WLE I presented and really just chilled the rest of the day because it wasn't a lot for me to do. I did burn CD's and other typical things I do every week too though. This experience has helped me benefit from learning about myself and grow as an intern. I have grown because I know now what my responsibility is with out asking and I now can just look around the classroom and see what needs to be done instead of asking every few seconds. I love my workplace because it is full of new things and they act like a family and TRULY do appreciate their workers and thats amazing to me. To me though I can not find things that are not so great; Maybe organization is an area of improvement but every teacher has that problem so not so much.
Blog #10 : The End : Tuesday December 13th, 2011
My final thoughts on my WLE is only positive ones I am glad they pushed me to do a lot and helped me when stuck. I loved all the compliments my sister told me. Im happy with the offer to come back in the summertime and work/help out. I just really enjoyed myself and am upset that I am done. Although I enjoyed it next year I plan on just doing something completely oppisite and not nothing the same at all. Just so that I can widen out my options and what I like to do or still have the chance to want to do.
