Capstone Applied Learning Project/Product Proposal Worksheet

Name: Julia Duffy

Date Due: Try 1 2/5/21
Try 2 2/12/21

_____________This proposal is approved.

This proposal needs revision. _________, ________, ________, ________, ________.

Areas to Revise:
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

Use this sheet to develop your Capstone Applied Learning Product Proposal. Make sure you
address each of the components. Meet with your teacher and Capstone mentor to discuss the
proposal. The Applied Learning Product must show evidence that it is being conducted
concurrently with the internship/career exploration. The final proposal must be signed by
the mentor, parent or guardian, and student.

Do not start a new proposal if/when revisions are needed. Simply copy and paste everything and
complete again so we have a full record of all changes.

I. The first step in creating your Capstone Applied Learning

Product is to identify a thesis.
A thesis is:
• Based on your interests
• Clearly stated as an arguable thesis
• Open-ended and exploratory
• Directed towards a path to new knowledge
• Related to real-world issues, whenever possible.

My thesis is:
Younger educators give a new perspective for students.

II. Identify and describe the learning stretch or path to new knowledge for this
Capstone Applied Learning Product you are proposing.

During my internship I am just in charge of the minor back up details. I am not in charge of disciplining the
kids or planning lessons. This would be a huge stretch to have to plan and execute a lesson plan for a day. I
would learn firsthand how hard it is to plan a lesson for so many different learning types and to help them
understand your lesson.
III. Describe the proposed Capstone Applied Learning Product.
Write a detailed description of your Capstone Applied Learning Product. Be sure to include a
list of areas you must research to meet your learning stretch. In addition, include an overview of
what you hope to accomplish and discuss the challenges or obstacles you may encounter while
completing your Capstone Applied Learning Product. Be aware that some obstacles may be
beyond your control, which may determine the feasibility of your Applied Learning Product.
(These may include Applied Learning Product expenses, transportation and school/community
approval, COVID restrictions, etc.). You will need to do some preliminary research in order to
complete this part of the proposal.

I will teach my class for a day instead of being behind the scenes. I am not allowed to be alone with the
kids due to my age so my teacher and In would just switch responsibilities for the day. I will have to do
a lot of research leading to that day, so I hopefully have a successful lesson with my kids. I have
learned a lot on how each child learns so I will try to tie that all together. Also, being in that class I
have an idea of what interests the kids and what does not. I will continue to learn about my kids and
how they learn. Some obstacles I could face are the behavioral issues this class sometimes has. I am not
in any way trained to deal with these so my teacher will have to. I will teach my lessons and do what I
can otherwise, but the outer details still fall on my head teacher. The approval of some of the parents of
these kids could also be an issue. I believe we would have to get permission, but I am not sure. I hope
to give these kids a new perspective. They have been with the same teacher for a while and could
benefit from learning in a new way. I could also face difficulty in how I teach. These kids are very
young.

Try 2 additions: I will use a lesson planning template to design my lesson. Since they are so young, I
am not going to spring a new topic on them. I am just going to redesign how I see they may connect
better to what they are learning. I will teach a lesson on math skills. I am going to bring little toys to
work on counting skills. I also like the idea of doing fingerprint caterpillars and having them count the
number of circles it took to make him. For science, I will find a little experiment for preschool age kids
that will teach them something valuable. Most likely, the experiment will involve mixing colors since
this is a skill they are actively learning. I like the skittle rainbow experiment. It shows colors combining
with water. This teaches them about things dissolving in water too. I also like sensory experiments for
their age. I will also do a handwriting/ letter recognition mini lesson before play time since they also
need a lot of work on that. I will either do bubble wrap letter identification or shaving cream writing. I
will finish out by reading a book. If my lesson falls on a nice day, I will do it outside, so they are also
getting fresh air. My activities may need to be done in smaller groups and likely will be for better
relationship with the kids. When they are in one group the older kids dominate and the littles don’t get
as much time to learn. Since the kids have short attention spans, rotating in groups will also help keep
them engaged so they aren’t waiting round. All my activities must be short in length, so the kids retain
what they learned. If I get to do this near Saint Patty’s day I may throw in a fun craft or leave it for
them to do at a later date.

Here are some websites I am looking at:

https://teachingmama.org/15-hands-on-math-activities-preschoolers/
https://www.pre-kpages.com/category/lesson-plans/page/4/
https://www.weareteachers.com/pre-writing-activities-for-preschoolers/
https://happytoddlerplaytime.com/50-pre-writing-activities-for-preschoolers/
IV. Research Plan for My Applied Learning Product
In order to complete my Capstone Applied Learning Product, the following topics must be researched.
These areas will be discussed in my reflection on the research process.
1. How long a child’s attention span truly is.
2. What type of activities show the most success in understanding new topics?
3. What are important skills to have before Elementary school?
4. Does lecturing children teach them anything?

V. Select the Applied Learning Problem Solving Standard for the Applied
Learning Product.
Select the appropriate standard below.
Describe how you will achieve the standard in your Applied Learning Product.

Problem Solving: The Applied Learning Problem for my Applied Learning Product is:
(Choose one from below.)

A. Design a Product (e.g. a working model, a functioning prototype)

B. Improve a System (e.g. develop a working app for appointment scheduling, an functioning
electronic supply organizer)