What I've Learned So Far

1)  I've learned how to encourage first graders or at least an important quality that is needed when encouraging them in order for them to be motivated to learn and work, which is enthusiasm.  I need to have good energy when tutoring, teaching, or helping the children in order for them to do their work with the same energy.  A teacher must show their first grader that they want to work with them and when a teacher has that mentality and enthusiasm, it will be easier for both the teacher and the student to enjoy the process. 
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3)  The research that helped me perform this way with the first graders was the article:  "TEACHERS' LEISURE READING HABITS AND KNOWLEDGE OF CHILDREN'S BOOKS: DO THEY RELATE TO THE TEACHING PRACTICES OF ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TEACHERS?." BURGESS, STEPHEN R., STEPHAN SARGENT, and MELINDA SMITH. Reading Improvement 48.2 (2011): 88-102. Academic Search Premier. EBSCO. Web. 9 Sept. 2011.  

The way it helped me was in how it made me realize an important element on encouragement, which was the motivation and love behind the encouragement.  In the articl, it said "It seems reasonable to hypothesize that teachers who possess more favorable literacy altitudes and behaviors will be more effective in encouraging studetns to read and in teaching them to read."  It may have been for reading, but I believe it qualifies for everything one teaches. 

Independent Component 1 Plan Approval

1)  For my independent component I plan on observing a Kindergarten class probably twice a week, the same time I go to volunteer with the first grade teachers.  Where I would volunteer is the same elementary school I already volunteer at. 

2)  I believe  that if I go twice a week to observe the Kindergarten class for at least an hour or so, I'd  be able to have the hourse finished by the given due date.  If I start noticing within the first week that I may not be able to achieve the full hours required, then I will stay after school to help the kindergarten teacher I decide to do my independent component with or maybe another kindergarten teacher who  may need more assistance. 

3)  My essential question is "What is the best teaching method a first grade teacher can use?" and my independent study is observing kindergarten classes, which allows me to observe the teaching methods they use then, and how they compare to the ones the first grade teachers use.  I'd be able to notice which methods are similar and hopefully discover why that is. 

Defining the Essential Question

1)  What is the best teaching method a first grade teacher can use?

2)  Best:  better than other options available and tried, better because it was the choice that came out with the most satisfying results according to the subject who tried the choices, it can be bases upon facts or personal opinion depending the person/people.  Teaching Method:  A specific form of teaching used to teach a certain subject(s), a certain technique used to accomplish one's objective.

3)  A possible answer I know of so far is teaching through activities that allow children to interact with what was taught.  Two other possible answers are teaching through approved eduactional videos, such as the Magic School Bus and teaching directly from the book (orally explaining what's in the book and how to work the activities/problems inside).

4)  What has been my most important source is the encyclopedia article "Teacher Education" by Encyclopedia Britannica (unkown author).  It has been the most important source because it helped me decide on what my essential question should be.  Before school began, I had a few ideas on what my essential question should be, and the one I have in number one was among them.  In the encyclopedia article, it made me raise the question what is the most important/effective teaching method a first grade teacher/general teacher has used (and still does)?

Second Interview Questions

I will be interviewing one of the first grade teachers I do service learning with, Mrs.  Nacarra.

1)  Where did you go to school to get what you needed in order to become a teacher?  How long did your schooling take?

2)  What did you major in when you were in school?

3)  Where did you begin working once you graduated college/university?  Why?

4)  How long have you been working within the teaching profession, and what fraction of that was working with first graders?  What can you tell me about your experience?

5)  How long have you been working in San Jose Elementary School?  What do you like most about working there?

6)  Was teaching always your main career goal?  Why or why not?  If not, what was?

7)  What accomplishment are you most proud of during the time you have been teaching?  Why?