Self Reflection

1) P I believe that i have so far met all requirements for P consideration. I have approached and have done everything with an optimistic view and completed everything above expectation of the teachers. Not AE expectations but defiantly above AP expectations.

2) My greatest accomplishment so far was meeting my service learning person. Amanda, Head Chair of the Cal Poly history department. I believe having her as a connection will greatly serve me in the up coming months if not years.

3) Unfortunately I have been preoccupied with other things and have not been able to focus on Service Learning or Independent Task as much as I would like to have.

Independent Component 1 Plan Approval

Write a description of what you plan on doing for your independent study component.
   So far i have registered for a total of 3 seminars regarding teaching and history. A total of about 10 hours of work just in the month of November alone. I plan to continue to attend teaching seminars, and perhaps watch a documentary to reach the 30 hours.


Describe in detail how you think your plan will meet the 30 hours work requirement.
  The first 10 hours i plan on attending seminars. For the other 20 i still do not know. Perhaps i can attend more seminars or try to take a class. 


How does your independent study component relate to your EQ?   
  My EQ "What is the best way to teach U.S. History?" So attending these seminars I hope to learn more about teaching styles and different types of content. These seminars are MEANT for teachers so if by some rare chance the seminar itself doesn't help, i can ask around for information.

Defining the Essential Question

(1) What is your EQ?

What is the most successful way to become an American History Teacher and to teach it.

(2) Define the words in your EQ to make sure we are on the same page regarding what your EQ means.

Successful: Becoming an effective teacher, able to make sure students understand the topic.

(3) What are some possible answers to your EQ so far? 

• teaching history backwards
• making history "come alive"
• engaging student
• getting master’s degree in history
• motivate students
• overcome negative views on subject

(4) What has been your most important source and why?  Be specific.  If it is a person, name them and what they do, if it is an article, book or video, name the title and author. 

So far I've really liked, and found that "The Pedagogical Strengths of Teaching History Backwards by: Kenneth W. Hermann" was the most interesting and useful source. 

Second Interview Questions

What made you decide to teach history?
What school did you go and what degree(s) do you hold?
How long did it take you to get started (find a job after college)?
What do you think is an important trait a Historian should have?
At what point in your life did you realize you wanted to be a Historian?
Did you have an other history related job prior to teaching?

Random U.S. Fact Week 4

The first two navel orange trees in the U.S. were from Brazil and planted in Riverside, California,  in about 1874. Virtually all navel oranges grown in the U.S. are offspring from these trees. One of the original trees was replanted by Teddy Roosevelt in 1903 but died. The other is still alive today in a park in Riverside!

Why did I chose this fact? Because I've seen this tree. When I was younger. I think. My memory of a four year old is foggy but I've been TOLD that I've seen this tree. And who am I to doubt my parents?

Presentation Reflection

1. My first interview actually gave me the idea of presenting on what history can mean to people. While talking to my interview we got sidetracked, as usual considering i cannot keep a straight train of thought for too long, and we got to discussing how people just don't care about history anymore. I thought that on talking about how history can mean different things to different people could change that.

2. I feel that the reason that I like history really stood out. Just for the reason that my reason was kind of narcissistic and basically made me feel good about myself.

3. The hardest part for me was the visual. I’m not artsy OR creative in any way, shape, or form. So I had to think especially hard for that.

Random U.S. Fact Week 3

US Highway 550, near Durango and Silverton, Colorado, is called the Million Dollar Highway because it was paved with low grade gold ore in the road bed! Although there is dispute to this, on of the more popular "legends" is that it was paved over 1 million dollars (in the 1920s) worth of gold ore.

I chose this because as a kid when my dad told me this, I always thought that if worse came to worse we could just head over to Highway 550 with a jackhammer and strike it rich!

Senior Project Presentation 1

Objective:

 Students will learn the importance of history on a personal level and how it can help them in their everyday lives.

Procedure:

1.       Ask class what History means to them. Ask 2 people (1 minute maybe?)

2.       Give a Brief Explanation on what History means to ME (1 minute)

3.       Explain how it can mean different things to different people (1 minute)

4.       Check for understanding (explained below 1 minute?)

5.       Conclusion (30 seconds)

6.       30 second buffer just in case.

Check for Understanding:

Ask what History could me to someone with low self-esteem or how it could help someone understand culture etc…

Visual:

Uncle Sam Picture with the words “What History means to YOU!”

Resource:

Article 2: Why Teach History by James L. Smith

Random U.S. Fact Week 2

The California grizzly bear is the state's official animal. In 1953, when it was named, it had already become extinct. The last California grizzly to have been seen was killed in 1922.

Interview Check

I have chosen to interview my 8th grade teacher. I chose her basically because she used to force history upon me. She knew i'd love it and really encouraged my exploration of it. I plan on asking her questions on schools and what type of path to take to pursue my teaching dream.

Random U.S. Fact Week 1

I have decided to do little random facts on The United States because, I feel, they are nice bits of information not everyone knows. So for my first week:

Ronald Wilson Reagan was the oldest person elected President at the age of 69 but he died the oldest President ever elected at 93.

I chose this fact because Reagan was an actor prior to being President or even Governor of California. I recently watched one of his films that is very hard to come by because he was playing "second fiddle" to a monkey. The movie's name is "Bedtime for Bonzo." 

Senior Project Topic

My topic is Teaching United States History. I chose this topic because growing up as a child I have always had a fondness for History. And as I grew I really developed a love for my country. The final reason, and what sealed the whole deal was my High School U.S. History teacher. Because of him I decided to combine my two loves of History and the United States into one career. I wanted to apply this in a practical way and i thought what could be better then passing my love and passion for United States History to latter generations. Over the course of this year I hope to gain the skills required to complete my goals. I also hope to have some college choices in mind and to be able pursue my dream.