INSTRUCTIONS: Respond to the two (Ashley and Travis) posts with words of encouragement and praise, and suggestions for overcoming obstacles, if necessary.
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3.2 Capstone Project Implementation
Ashley
I did my teaching lesson for the 5th-grade class this week. I was really surprised by the number of people in the classroom; there were four adults, a 5th-grade class of 30 students, and five special education students from other classes, which I had not anticipated. There were some non-English speakers in the class as well. I started the teaching by having the kids do a pre-survey and then presented my teaching slides. I asked the kids questions and had them practice stress-reducing techniques using mindfulness strategies such as belly breathing, grounding, gratitude, and positive affirmations. The kids seemed engaged, paid attention well, and asked thoughtful questions. I had a short video on the power of words and positive self-talk at the end.
Next week, I will return to the classroom and do some review, get feedback, and do a post-survey to check for retention of information. I am currently experiencing some mixed emotions. To be honest, teaching a lesson to a large group of students is not in my wheelhouse. Even though I was excited about the material I was teaching and had excellent slides, I was also very nervous speaking to such a large group. The room was very hot, and the desks were spaced out so much that I could not hear the kids’ questions at the back of the classroom, so I had to walk over to the back of the classroom to hear them. I also felt the adults in the room (not the teacher) were judging me. I admit that I could have been imagining that part. I am a novice in this arena, and I am not as smooth and polished as a seasoned teacher. I didn’t know how to work the smart board either and felt awkward with that part. I am unfamiliar with classroom management procedures and how the kids are used to doing things.
I am more comfortable in smaller groups and one-on-one teaching. This is part of my fears and my introversion working against me. It has been a lifelong struggle to speak in public, and it’s one of the most dreaded things in life for me! A highlight was that the teacher was very supportive and appreciative. The children seemed interested in the material and were actively engaged, asking questions and commenting. There were very few to zero disruptive behaviors. When talking about negative self-talk, it seemed to resonate with particular students, who said they do that all the time. I can attest that they do talk negatively about themselves (I’ve heard it first-hand), and part of my plan was to offer an alternative to negative self-talk by flipping the script and having them think about saying positive words instead.
This project has made me think that perhaps a different type of delivery method to a smaller group of students who are having trouble managing emotions or stress might be a better idea. Also, I think the teaching should have more sessions but less time for each session. For example, a group of about 10 students and 6-8 thirty-minute sessions with a different topic each session. I am also curious about what the students would like to learn more about and what they think is valuable to discuss. I will be doing my follow-up and review next week. I will have the post-survey results and compare them with those of the pre-survey.
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3.2 Capstone Project Implementation
Travis
This week has been quite eventful for me as I continue to navigate through my Capstone Project. I recently completed presenting my gratitude letters, which was a fulfilling experience. The response to my gratitude survey was unexpectedly positive; I received around 110 responses instead of the 90 I initially anticipated. The survey consisted of 10 questions, both multiple-choice and written responses. It’s been exciting to dig into this data and create mini-reports based on the insights I’m gathering. I’ve also been in touch with my 10 volunteers, all of whom have successfully presented their letters. We’re scheduled to meet this weekend to reflect on the impact these letters have had, not just on them but also on the recipients, which I’m really looking forward to.
However, this week hasn’t been without its challenges. One of the significant roadblocks I’ve faced is coordinating a suitable time for everyone to gather and discuss the impact of their gratitude letters. Trying to align the schedules of so many busy individuals has proven to be quite tricky. I’ve had to send out multiple reminders regarding our meeting, and while I understand that everyone leads busy lives, it can be frustrating to juggle these commitments. Nonetheless, I’m thankful I found a suitable time that works for all of us to engage in a meaningful discussion.
Despite these challenges, I have had many highlights throughout this week. The excitement of receiving more responses to my survey than I expected has been incredibly motivating. It’s been rewarding to see the enthusiasm around gratitude and to know that my project is resonating with others. Additionally, the presentations of the gratitude letters have sparked inspiring conversations among my volunteers, which I believe will contribute greatly to our upcoming meeting. I’m optimistic that, even with the scheduling hurdles, the discussions we have will lead to insightful reflections on the power of gratitude.
As I move forward with my project, I remain committed to overcoming these logistical challenges. I understand that these moments are part of the process, and I truly appreciate the dedication of my volunteers. I’m eager to share the findings from my data analysis and to hear the firsthand experiences of my volunteers this weekend. I look forward to continuing this journey and seeing where it leads!
