Extra Blog Post: December

During the month of December I visited many dojo's, helping my Senseis sign up participants for the Winter Nationals. This is a picture of one of the many dojos that I went to, Ogdens Judo Club. We had over 700 competitors at the Winter Nationals. During the time we; Sensei Gary, Sensei OJ, Spencer, and I went to other dojos Spencer and I were able to participate in their practice. Ogdens Judo gave us a variety of people to work with that had a plethora of different skills, which we were not use to. The Judokas at this dojo gave us as much of a challenge as we gave them. This was a great experience as I was also introduced to a Jiu-Jitario, Randy Ochoa, allowing me to work with Judokas along with Jiu-Jitarios.

Extra Blog Post: November

 
The Referee Clinic was held November 16th at Ogdens Judo Club in Bellflower. This clinic was my sensei's first time running a referee clinic. He is a nationally ranked referee, making him one of the top referees. Holding this clinic he taught many of the rules of Judo and how to interpret them in a match. After this 4 hour lesson everyone who attended this clinic took a test to become a local referee. After taking this test at most clinics, would be followed by a in person test, which consist of refereeing a Judo match  in front of a Sensei Gary, or a nationally raked referee. Due to the fact there was no tournament right after nor was there a small local tournament to go to, we came back to the dojo to finish the test. On November 28th.
I do believe I will change my component one to the topic of refereeing. as this will be easier to do, I am also refereeing at the Winter Nationals though I am only a Regional referee. This is because even before I was certified I was refereeing, because other referees noticed my interest in reffing.

EQ

Content

1. Review this. Confirm by stating "I reviewed the rule of three for writing an EQ."

Essential Question
Once a topic is chosen, the student will develop a working essential question. The purpose of the working essential question is to help the student build a strong foundation of research which will allow him or her to create an essential question that encourages depth and rigor in the chosen topic. An essential question must:

Provide a framework for studies (It calls for breadth and depth of research, Is not a yes/no question)
Take a stance (It allows you to argue some point, Cannot be a recitation of facts or a list)
Format (It is specific, The wording makes sense)

2. Review the following EQs and

Tell us if each meets the rule of three.
Tell why they do or don't.

a. What is the most important factor in healthy weight loss?

I believe that they meet the rule of three because this question would be an arguable point for an answer and it provides a good framework for research.
b. What is most important to securing a conviction in a criminal investigation?

This EQ needs to be a bit more specific, to take a side or another, to broad of a topic, that may pertain to multiple topics of study.
c. What is most important in creating a hairstyle that best satisfies a customer?

This is a very well formatted EQ as it makes a lot of sense and the reader can pin point exactly what one would want to answer. As the answer very well is an opinion it allows for a lot of research to go into the question.
d. How can an anesthesiologist best treat chronic pain?
I believe this Eq should also be a little more in depth, because I feel chronic pain is to general, though  arguably it is a good question as one can take an arguable stance on this question allowing a lot of research to go to every answer.

3. Based on your review of the rule of 3 and your experience with assessing four EQs, please write another draft EQ for your senior project. The senior team will be meeting with students shortly for EQ revision and approval; you are expected to bring your research notebook to that meeting with your EQ draft written inside in pencil.

How can the purpose of Judo allow a Judoka better their character following, the purpose of Kano's creation of Judo?

Lesson 1 Reflection

1. Positive Statement

What are you most proud of in your Lesson 1 Presentation and why?
 I am most proud of the fact I had a lot of information to present and talk on. I also like the fact that I was able to set up more than one visual for people to watch while I was presenting.

2. Questions to Consider
a. What assessment would you give yourself on your Lesson 1 Presentation (self-assessment)?

AE/P

b. Explain why you deserve that grade using evidence from the Lesson 1 component contract.
I believe that I deserve this grade because I had more than one visual aid for my audience to focus their attention on. I believe I was clear and concise on the information I presented to the class. I also was able to give an exact example from my resource; being able to read a page from a book to explain a scenario better.

3. What worked for you in your Lesson 1?
I believe having the visual representation behind me(the videos playing) was a very good for people to focus on. I've read in a good presentation there should be 3 things for your audience to focus on.

4. (What didn't work) If you had a time machine, what would you have done differently to improve your Lesson 1?
I would have walked around more, talking to the whole class rather than just a section of a class, I felt that I focused on one side more than the other. I might organize my presentation a bit more, though I felt it was pretty organized. 

Extra Blog Post: October

During the West Covina Novice tournament I was a coach, as I was not able to compete, as the tournament was only meant for novis. Novice tournament means that only competitors of white, yellow, orange, and green belt may compete. As I am a brown belt I was not able to compete; leading to one of my sensei's asking me if I wanted to coach. Though I am not certified, he broke a rule here and there for me and just gave me his coaching wrist band that you must have certification and a badge to get. Many of the reffs were bothered that I did not referee because they are all my buddies that I sit and talk with during lunch and after the tournaments.
From this experience I learned that while being a coach, you must be loud; loud enough to be heard over parents cheering for there kids on every mat. You must also be on your toes, having the ability to evaluate the game and understand the other players strengths and weaknesses in a matter of seconds. One must also know there own players strengths and weaknesses, so that during coaching they may tell their player what to do and what not to do.
This also ties into my component one, I plan to get my coaching certificate in December during the winter nationals.

Blog 8:Research and Working EQ

1. What is your working EQ?

How can Judokas apply Judo to more than just the mat?

2. What is a possible answer to your working EQ? Please write the answer in thesis format.
A way Judokas can apply Judo to more than just the mat takes time, time to understand what Judo is, that Judo is much more than just a sport of throwing someone, it is about the respect you have for the person your throwing. The thanks you are giving to someone as your throwing them, for letting you throw them. And the return respecting them enough to allow them to practice their technique on you. In mutual benefit and welfare, moving forward together.

3. What is the most important source you have used that has helped you come up with an answer to your working EQ?

Book: Second Life of Judo

Interviews: With Sensei Gary, Sensei OJ, and Sensei Kostas

Practice(Clinics): Anyone who has something to offer, no matter the age, rank, weight

4. Who is your mentor, or where are you doing mentorship, and how does what you are doing relate to your working EQ?

My mentor is Sensei Gary, along with all the other black belts that help out during class.

I am doing my mentorship at Goltz Judo at Claremont's recreation center.

Practice and helping out the kids class and volunteering in any tournament possible, I am working my hardest to give back to Judo.

Blog 7: Independent Component 1 Approval

Will Be Turned In...
Log of time taken to complete assignment Senior Project Hours spreadsheet.
Evidence of the 30 hours of work (e.g. transcript, essays, tests, art work, photographs) as digital artifacts.
LIA explanation of what you did.

1. Describe in detail what you plan to do for your 30 hours.

I plan to learn how to properly coach judoka's during tournaments. To do this I will need to take a coaching clinic in either November or December. I plan to take it in December because it will be during Winter Nationals, and since I work during Winter Nationals anyways I just get to attended another day, or when ever it happens to be. Though my coach, wants me to coach anyways, this past weekend he showed for his coaching badge and got a wrist band that must be worn during coaching, and just gave it to me so that no one would say anything about me not being a certified coach.

2. Discuss how or what you will do to meet the expectation of showing 30 hours of evidence.

I will document when I am learning to be a coach, or working with my coach on certain skills needed to coach. Especially when I coach for the students. Doing this, I will need to work with some of those I will be coaching to learn their strengths and weaknesses.

3. And explain how what you will be doing will help you explore your topic in more depth.

I will be taking a coaching clinic during the Winter Nationals or if my Sensei's want me to I will take the one in November. I will also be working with my coach, on what he does, what he says, and how he says it to let the player know what to do.

4. Update your Senior Project Hours log.
okay! lol

Extra Blog Post: September

This month my Sensei, OJ had asked my partner and I to go to another club to take pictures doing Judo throws, that then would be put on a t shirt for Winter Nationals. This was a really awesome experience. Not only were Shadi and I able to go to another club to try out there training but we were able to be in an actual judo photo shoot. Were going to be on a t shirt for Winter Nationals. I just found that so awesome. After participating in practice with Discover(name of club we went to), Gary Wagstaf had us take the pictures. Then as we were laughing and having a good time after that he decided to take a few more, these he actually decided to give to us. As my Sensei didn't like any that were taken and said we have to do it again.

Blog 6: Second Interview Preparation

Due Date: Friday, 9/19 by 8AM


The purpose of the second interview is to justify your mentor as an expert in the field. Thus, you will be asking them at least 5 questions about their background and/or the background of the organization or company where they work.

1. Who is your mentor and where do they work?

My mentor is Sensei Gary Goltz and he owns and works at Goltz Judo. I will be interviewing a few other Sensei's from the club (possible other mentors)

2. What five questions will you ask them about their background?

When and why did you start Judo? What made you choose Judo over any other sport? And why did you stay with Judo?

What is the difference from when you were participating in competitive Judo to today's "competitive Judo"?

What were the rules when you were competing? Why so many rule changes in Judo and what started them? What are some major rule changes that have occurred? Why?

How were you trained when you were competing? Do you teach us the same, why or why not? Did you have two separate classes where you trained one way and learned Judo another way?

Where did your teaching style come from?

Where did you begin Judo? How did you end up at Goltz?

What was your favorite techniques to use when you participated in competitive Judo? 

How have you applied Judo to other parts of your life?

The interview is due 10/25 by 8AM in Q&A format to turnitin.com.

Blog 5: Mentorship Reflection

Based on what you have done for your senior project so far, answer the following questions (be specific and use examples).

1. Mentorship question: Describe your experience in how you found your mentorship? If you haven't found one yet, describe your experience so far in the search of a mentor.
 

It really wasn't hard for me to find a mentor/mentorship. To be honest I already had it, I already go to judo 3-4 days a week, also work tournaments and try my best to help out in the kids class. All that I really needed to do was notify my Sensei's about the senior project and that I will be working a little closer with them. To answer the question I found my mentorship by going to practice.

2. Research question: What has been your most important article you have read so far and why? 

Article wise or book wise? I'm going to go off the reseach check stuff, in which I have already done books where as most do articles, I have found the two parts of "The second life of Judo" that I have read have been very motivating. The book have been extremely inspirational. This is because it gives a totally different view on Judo that most people never even think of. Which is nice to see that most of the people that come to practice aren't just there for the practice, there there for the spiritual part as well. 

Extra Blog Post: August

This was problably the first day I logged for my mentorship. This is one of my main mentors. Sensei OJ, best friends with Sensei Gary. During this day everyone who was refereeing was being tested for their credentials to either become a regional or local referee, as a beginner. I was not tested due to the fact I was not at the orientation nor to take the writen test to become a referee. (I was taking the SAT) Anyways, back to that day; it was (my other mentor) Sensei Gary's birthday tournment. During that tournment I was able to work as a referee, I was also able to work the tables meaning; I worked the scoreboard, do pooling. When I say I was able to work score board, scoreboard is exactly what it sounds like, it keeps the score between the two players participating in the match. Pooling is a paper with the names of the people who are matched to fight by age, weight, and rank, calling their names and keeping track of score that way they know who will be fighting who next going for first place.

Blog 4: Interview Preparation

Content:

1. Who do you plan to interview? Why?

I plan to interview my Sensei Gary Goltz, because he is the USJA (United States Judo Association) President, he is also the highest ranking sensei in my dojo. (He also talks alot)

2. You have to ask 5 questions. What additional questions do you plan to ask? Ask open-ended questions. What are open-ended questions? Click here! If that doesn't help, try this one. Click here!

What do you believe are the most important principles of Judo and how are they used in the life of a Judoka on and off the mat?

What is the difference and purpose between the USJA (United States Judo Federation), USJF (United States Judo Federation), Nanka Judo, and USA Judo?

When and why did you start Judo? What made you choose Judo over any other sport? And why did you stay with Judo?

What is the difference from when you were participating in competitive Judo to today's "competitive Judo"?

Why so many rule changes in Judo and what started them? What are some major rule changes that have occurred? Why?

How were you trained when you were competing? Do you teach us the same, why or why not? Did you have two separate classes where you trained one way and learned Judo another way?

Where did the way you teach come from, when did you start teaching?

What are some things you think are an important part of Judo that people or Judokas should know?

When did Judo start affecting your character (Second life of Judo)?

Reminder: The interview is due to turnitin.com by September 10 at 8AM. The verification form should be turned in that morning to your house teacher.

Blog 3: Topic Choice and Working EQ

Due Date: Friday August 23, 2014 by 8AM

1. List your topic here:

Judo

2. Write a question that helps to focus your research this month.

A question to help focus my research would be; What type of rules and regulations are there to aply and put together a Judo Tournament and run their matches?

3. Post the working bibliography (WB) on the right hand side of the blog and share it so anybody can view it.

Reminder: Sign out of your gmail and verify that the link works. If the link can’t be viewed when clicking on it, you will earn no credit.
The blog should be titled "Blog 3: Topic Choice and Working EQ"

Blog 2: Summer Mentorship Component

Literal

1. Log of my specific hours and description of my duties

2. What is the contact name and number of where you volunteered?

Gary Goltz (909)-702-3250
Goltz Judo Club

3. (Need to know) What questions were raised because of the 10 hours of experience? List them.

What are the average injuries a judoka endures?

How many throws are there in Judo?

What type of muscles grow in comparison to other muscles needed to fight?

Is there a specific age where you are unable to start/do judo?

What are all the different ranks?

How are people categorized in a tournament?


Interpretive

4. What is the most important thing you gained from this experience? Why?

       The most important thing that I have gained from my mentorship is the two basic principles of judo, (jita kyoei) mutual welfare and benefit, and (seiryoku zenyo) maximum efficiency with minimum effort. These two principles are what makes up a judoka's character, throughout the life of a judoka following these principles they should go through self-perfection, or jiko no kansei. I beleive these are extremely important because this is where Judo becomes more than a sport, it becomes a way of life, a way to grow ones self.

5. What is your senior topic going to be? How did what you did help you choose a topic? Please explain.

      Judo will be my senior project topic. I already spend all my time in a dojo and at tournaments volunteering and just spending time there I found why not just make my favorite hobby my topic. There are so many aspects of Judo I was hoping to explore and learn more throughout my topic. Prior to the summer I had just started learning to referee, using the learning experiences as part of my mentor ship. I was forced to explore even more aspects of Judo as I had a test for promotion. I also got really involved in Judo during the beginning of summer because I was determined to drop weight to get in a lower division. I also was determined to place, because I was sponsored $1,000 dollars to go to nationals, by the same man who sponsored Ronda Rousey.

Blog 1: 2014 Presentations

Blog 1: 2-Hour Presentations
Title: 2-Hour Presentations Label: Research

Due Date: Monday June 3, 2014 at 8AM

Content:

1. What presentations did you see?

Gonzalez, Marco- Insurance
Rodriguez, Eustacio- Educational Nonprofit management
Mendoza, Gabriel- Creating a Franchise
Colin Sabrina- International Business
Diaz, Evan- Real Estate
Cabantug, Brian- Software Development
Gaeta, Jackie- Women's Nutrition
Holmes Garrett- Computer Programing
Diaz, Victor- Auto Mechanic

Yamashita, Bradley- Homelessness

Gamboa, Daniel- Electrical Engineering
Britt, James- Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
Munoz, Juan- Business (Corporate Leadership)
Olivares Adrian- Strength Training
Rico, Junior- Automotive Repair
Lara, David- Lending

2. What questions do you have that haven't been answered about the senior project? This can be about the senior project in general, any components or about a presentation topic you saw or what they said.

Do you have to label the first activity a hook activity?

Do you have to label "independent components" in presentation?

3. What has the most important part of the senior project based on what you are seeing in the 2-hour presentations?

The most important part would have to be hitting time (speaking time) with the correct content and organization.

4. What topic are you considering doing and why?

Judo, or finance. Judo because it is my sport, I am most passionate about this topic and I really enjoy every aspect of the sport. Finance because after high school my goal is to Major in Finance to move onto a position where I can use my degree to be successful in life. I think getting a mentorship in finance would be a great way to start.

5. What are you doing for your summer mentorship?

I will work with my Sensei, since he is president of the USJA (United States Judo Association) also work with other Sensei's from different dojos. This is after nationals.