This week, we had our water presentations. On Monday, we practiced them and added our final touches. Tuesday, we presented them. I thought that our presentation went really well. From listening to other presentations, I learned some interesting information. After all this work on these projects, I feel like I learned quite a bit of new information, but my position on what I believe still hasn't changed. I still think that students should bring their own reusable bottles or use bubblers. I don't like the idea of schools having to sell water bottles. I really enjoyed doing this project.
We also finished off our crystals in Science that we started a while ago. Some of the crystals grew a lot. I was surprised by that. It was really cool to look at them under a microscope. They looked really different.
We learned about our semester exam project. For this project, we have to combine some of the things we learned about in the three different subjects into one project. This sounds a little hard, and I am having some trouble coming up with an idea, but I think everything will get easier once I start the research. We are going to be working on this more when we get back from break.
Friday, December 30, 2011
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Water Project Reflection
I thought that this project went well. I was very proud of my group for presenting as well as we did. I think we prepared ourselves well and found good information. I thought Mrs. Casetta and Mr. Wieczorek had good questions that challenged us. I was very happy with how everything went.
When doing this project, I never agreed with selling water bottles at school. I thought that our topic was hard to defend because almost all the websites we could find were against water bottles, but we ended up finding some information. Although, I did learn a lot by doing this project. I learned that bubblers are not very sanitary and good for the school to use. I never realized how many schools had problems with their water. Also, I never knew there was such thing as a corn water bottle until I talked to someone who worked at the Waukesha County Recycling Center. I thought the corn water bottle idea was very interesting. I didn't find many new facts about water bottles that aren't the obvious. I also learned information when listening to the other groups. It was good to hear all the sides that people could take. I found these presentations interesting.
I believe that it should be up to students what they want to do. Just like Mr. Wieczoreck said during the presentations, soon we are getting older and should be making our own choices. I personally would rather bring my own reusable bottle. After doing this research, interviewing, and watching the movie Tapped, I think that water bottles should not be advertised in school. I don't think they are good for the environment, but I do think we have the right to make our own decision whether it be plastic bottles, reusable bottles, or even soda.
When doing this project, I never agreed with selling water bottles at school. I thought that our topic was hard to defend because almost all the websites we could find were against water bottles, but we ended up finding some information. Although, I did learn a lot by doing this project. I learned that bubblers are not very sanitary and good for the school to use. I never realized how many schools had problems with their water. Also, I never knew there was such thing as a corn water bottle until I talked to someone who worked at the Waukesha County Recycling Center. I thought the corn water bottle idea was very interesting. I didn't find many new facts about water bottles that aren't the obvious. I also learned information when listening to the other groups. It was good to hear all the sides that people could take. I found these presentations interesting.
I believe that it should be up to students what they want to do. Just like Mr. Wieczoreck said during the presentations, soon we are getting older and should be making our own choices. I personally would rather bring my own reusable bottle. After doing this research, interviewing, and watching the movie Tapped, I think that water bottles should not be advertised in school. I don't think they are good for the environment, but I do think we have the right to make our own decision whether it be plastic bottles, reusable bottles, or even soda.
Sunday, December 18, 2011
Personal Blog: 12/12-12/16
This week, we spent a lot of time working on our Tox Town Projects. First, we finished researching the projects and putting it all into a presentation. We have been practicing the project because we are presenting Tuesday. Also, we got some of our information from interviews. On Wednesday, Mr. Einweck, a person who oversees water in Hartland, came in. He talked to us about water, and we got to ask him questions. Also, on Thursday, eight of us got to go to the sewage place. They gave us a tour on the process. I learned a lot of things from that field trip, but I don't think any of that information will be helpful to our project. While we were gone, the other people in the class got to interview Mr. Libscomb. He is the building and grounds director for the school. Some of information Mr. Libscomb gave us will be helpful in our project. We also combined art into this project. We made a poster with our main points on a program that I had never used before. I really like the program, and hope we get to use it again. I look forward to presenting this project after we have spent a long time working on it.
In Science, we have been learning about atoms and the periodic table. We had a test on this on Friday. I didn't think the test was very hard. We learned all of this in 7th and 8th grade, but it is good to review it all, but we are learning some new things too that I didn't know. Hopefully, I did good on the test.
In Science, we have been learning about atoms and the periodic table. We had a test on this on Friday. I didn't think the test was very hard. We learned all of this in 7th and 8th grade, but it is good to review it all, but we are learning some new things too that I didn't know. Hopefully, I did good on the test.
Sunday, December 11, 2011
Personal Blog: 12/5-12/9
It was a busy week in ILA. Many activities were planned for us. We did a lot of work for Science and Social Studies. We also did some work for English and Art.
This week in art, we finished up our videos. I thought our video was pretty good, but I thought if we were given more time we could have included a lot more information. We also glazed our crystal boxes. I am happy with the way mine looks. I've never been very artistic, and I never thought it would turn out that good. Also, we started doing a poster to present with our Social Studies project. The program we are using is really cool. I never used it before, but I really like it and it is a lot of fun. I hope we get to use it again.
On Tuesday, we took a walk to the Bark River. At the Bark River, we did the water tests that we have been doing for Science. Also, we filled a milk jug with water. Everyone had to carry it back to school. Doing that was suppose to show us what it is like for people who live in different countries that have to do that every day. I would not like to do that every day. It was heavy to carry back, and it would be hard to do that for a longer walk or all the time. I am very thankful that we live in a place where we do not need to walk a far distance to get water.
We have been working on our Social Studies project. For my group, the Water Bottle Association, we have most of our information, but our presentation is not 8 minutes yet. We also need to do our outline. Next week, we are interviewing different people to find more information. I think that will be exciting to find out information directly from people who work in the community. I am looking forward to finishing this project.
This week in art, we finished up our videos. I thought our video was pretty good, but I thought if we were given more time we could have included a lot more information. We also glazed our crystal boxes. I am happy with the way mine looks. I've never been very artistic, and I never thought it would turn out that good. Also, we started doing a poster to present with our Social Studies project. The program we are using is really cool. I never used it before, but I really like it and it is a lot of fun. I hope we get to use it again.
On Tuesday, we took a walk to the Bark River. At the Bark River, we did the water tests that we have been doing for Science. Also, we filled a milk jug with water. Everyone had to carry it back to school. Doing that was suppose to show us what it is like for people who live in different countries that have to do that every day. I would not like to do that every day. It was heavy to carry back, and it would be hard to do that for a longer walk or all the time. I am very thankful that we live in a place where we do not need to walk a far distance to get water.
We have been working on our Social Studies project. For my group, the Water Bottle Association, we have most of our information, but our presentation is not 8 minutes yet. We also need to do our outline. Next week, we are interviewing different people to find more information. I think that will be exciting to find out information directly from people who work in the community. I am looking forward to finishing this project.
Sunday, December 4, 2011
Personal Blog: 11/28-12/2
We did many things in ILA this week. In art, we worked on our videos about this class. I really liked this project. It was fun to look back and see what we did so far this year. The only thing I didn't like, was I thought we weren't given enough time. I felt a little rushed. Hopefully, next time we do a project, we will be given more time.
In Science, we have been testing different types of water. We tested some things like hardness, ph, and for different chemicals. Testing water ties in with what we are doing for Social Studies. In Social Studies, we are in groups of three for this project. We each got a different "association" about water in school, and we have to give a presentation about what we support. I like how in Science and Social Studies we are doing things separate, but they are related. Also, we started to learn about the Periodic Table, and atoms. Most of what we are doing with that right now is a review from last year, so it is not that hard.
In English, we finished up with Of Mice and Men. I really enjoyed reading this book. Before I read it, I never knew how many inequalities there were in the 30's. Also, I didn't realize how they were treated and discriminated against. I look forward to reading another book in English.
On Friday, we watched the movie for Of Mice and Men. We didn't finish the movie yet, but what we saw so far I thought was very similar to the book. There were only a few parts that were different. I thought the movie was good, but I liked the book better.
In Science, we have been testing different types of water. We tested some things like hardness, ph, and for different chemicals. Testing water ties in with what we are doing for Social Studies. In Social Studies, we are in groups of three for this project. We each got a different "association" about water in school, and we have to give a presentation about what we support. I like how in Science and Social Studies we are doing things separate, but they are related. Also, we started to learn about the Periodic Table, and atoms. Most of what we are doing with that right now is a review from last year, so it is not that hard.
In English, we finished up with Of Mice and Men. I really enjoyed reading this book. Before I read it, I never knew how many inequalities there were in the 30's. Also, I didn't realize how they were treated and discriminated against. I look forward to reading another book in English.
On Friday, we watched the movie for Of Mice and Men. We didn't finish the movie yet, but what we saw so far I thought was very similar to the book. There were only a few parts that were different. I thought the movie was good, but I liked the book better.
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Personal Blog: 11/20-11/23
We started a new project in art. We are making a video about this class to show the 8th graders so they know what this class is for next year. I am working with Breanna and Lauren. We have some good ideas, and we have already started our video. I think that this project is really cool. I like making videos.
We continued to read Of Mice and Men this week. I finished the book. I found it very interesting, but I thought the ending was very sad. This book did not turn out the way I expected at all! It really helped me understand the book by highlighting and doing the pages on Google Docs. I also thought the quizzes I took so far were easy. Hopefully the other two I have to take are easy as well.
We worked on our "Think Globally, Act Locally" unit in Social Studies. I thought learning about some of the uses of rivers was interesting. I never knew that they were so important, and I never realized that they have a big role in our daily lives. After this short break, we will be starting a project for this. I am curious as to what it will be.
On Wednesday, we presented our Science skits. I thought, for the most part, our skit went well. Unfortunately, one of our group members was sick, so we had to find someone to fill our place. The bad part about some of these skits were that I couldn't hear people. They were to quiet. Now, we have to write a paragraph about all the different scientists. Hopefully it won't be too hard. It might be a little difficult to do since they were hard to hear, but I'll make do with the information I have.
We continued to read Of Mice and Men this week. I finished the book. I found it very interesting, but I thought the ending was very sad. This book did not turn out the way I expected at all! It really helped me understand the book by highlighting and doing the pages on Google Docs. I also thought the quizzes I took so far were easy. Hopefully the other two I have to take are easy as well.
We worked on our "Think Globally, Act Locally" unit in Social Studies. I thought learning about some of the uses of rivers was interesting. I never knew that they were so important, and I never realized that they have a big role in our daily lives. After this short break, we will be starting a project for this. I am curious as to what it will be.
On Wednesday, we presented our Science skits. I thought, for the most part, our skit went well. Unfortunately, one of our group members was sick, so we had to find someone to fill our place. The bad part about some of these skits were that I couldn't hear people. They were to quiet. Now, we have to write a paragraph about all the different scientists. Hopefully it won't be too hard. It might be a little difficult to do since they were hard to hear, but I'll make do with the information I have.
Saturday, November 19, 2011
Personal Blog: 11/14-11/18
Monday, we had a Science quiz and an English quiz. I thought the English quiz was really easy. It was on short story terms. I had already learned all those terms in 7th grade, so I didn't have to study too much. The Science quiz wasn't easy, but it too hard. I retook the quiz on Friday. I think I did better that time.
Most of the week, we had work time on the doing the Social Studies project, reading Of Mice and Men, and working on the science skit. For Social Studies, we had a discussion on the budget. I had to reduce the budget by 20%. It took me a long time to do that, but it was a good challenge. We also had a quiz this week on geography terms. I thought the quiz was very easy.
I am really enjoying reading Of Mice and Men. I think it is very interesting. I never really knew a lot about that time period, so it is interesting to read about it. The quizzes that we are taking for this book have been very easy so far. I am looking forward to reading the rest of the book and finding out what happens.
We have finished our rough draft for our Science skit. I think it is coming along well, but I am nervous for when we have to present it. Some of the research was hard, but once we finished the research, almost everything else was easy. Hopefully our skits go well.
In art, we finished the structure and design of our crystal 3D figures. I think they look very cool. It was very fun to make. I really like to make things out of clay. I think that it will be fun to glaze them after they are fired. Hopefully, it will look very cool when the whole figure is done.
I really liked this week that we got mostly work time. I got most of my work done. It was good to have the freedom to work on what we wanted most of the time. Before the Social Studies test, we could chose if we wanted to go to the study session. I liked that we got that choice. I hope that future weeks are like this.
Most of the week, we had work time on the doing the Social Studies project, reading Of Mice and Men, and working on the science skit. For Social Studies, we had a discussion on the budget. I had to reduce the budget by 20%. It took me a long time to do that, but it was a good challenge. We also had a quiz this week on geography terms. I thought the quiz was very easy.
I am really enjoying reading Of Mice and Men. I think it is very interesting. I never really knew a lot about that time period, so it is interesting to read about it. The quizzes that we are taking for this book have been very easy so far. I am looking forward to reading the rest of the book and finding out what happens.
We have finished our rough draft for our Science skit. I think it is coming along well, but I am nervous for when we have to present it. Some of the research was hard, but once we finished the research, almost everything else was easy. Hopefully our skits go well.
In art, we finished the structure and design of our crystal 3D figures. I think they look very cool. It was very fun to make. I really like to make things out of clay. I think that it will be fun to glaze them after they are fired. Hopefully, it will look very cool when the whole figure is done.
I really liked this week that we got mostly work time. I got most of my work done. It was good to have the freedom to work on what we wanted most of the time. Before the Social Studies test, we could chose if we wanted to go to the study session. I liked that we got that choice. I hope that future weeks are like this.
Saturday, November 12, 2011
Personal Blog: 11-6-11/11
This week, we have been doing a lot with science. We are continuing to learn about crystals. We did lots of experiments this week. One thing we learned about was the different types of crystals. I thought it was cool to see the different crystals under microscopes. It was interesting to see all the different ways they could look. Another thing we learned about in science was the terms atom, element, compound, and mixture. We did different experiments to practice those. I think it is a little hard to know the difference between those words and I am having a little trouble with that. We have a quiz on that on Monday, so I am going to practice those words.
In English, we have been doing a lot of research on the 1930's because we will need to know that information for when we read the book Of Mice and Men. We did group research on different things during that time period. My group was the historians. The question that I researched was the causes of the Great Depression. When I was researching, it was sad to see all the pictures and things that happened during the Great Depression. It must have been really hard to live during that time. After looking at all the background information, I am looking forward to reading this book.
At the beginning of the week, we had a Social Studies test on the three branches of government. I thought the test was really hard, but I passed it. Then, I did some research on where I lived. Now, I am working on the budget activity. This activity is cool. It is interesting to see what the city of Milwaukee spends its money on, and different raises and cuts they make. It is fun to decide what I think needs to be cut. I am having a little trouble with deciding everything to cut. It is also hard to cut the budget by 20%, but it makes a good challenge.
In art, we just started to make a new project. It is a geometric shape that is 3D made out of clay. We started by picking a figure, and cutting out the different shapes needed for that figure. Then, you had to cut the edges so they would fit together and start putting the figure together. This project is really fun and exciting. I enjoy using clay and building things. I think it is going to be fun to glaze it. I look forward to working more on this project.
In English, we have been doing a lot of research on the 1930's because we will need to know that information for when we read the book Of Mice and Men. We did group research on different things during that time period. My group was the historians. The question that I researched was the causes of the Great Depression. When I was researching, it was sad to see all the pictures and things that happened during the Great Depression. It must have been really hard to live during that time. After looking at all the background information, I am looking forward to reading this book.
At the beginning of the week, we had a Social Studies test on the three branches of government. I thought the test was really hard, but I passed it. Then, I did some research on where I lived. Now, I am working on the budget activity. This activity is cool. It is interesting to see what the city of Milwaukee spends its money on, and different raises and cuts they make. It is fun to decide what I think needs to be cut. I am having a little trouble with deciding everything to cut. It is also hard to cut the budget by 20%, but it makes a good challenge.
In art, we just started to make a new project. It is a geometric shape that is 3D made out of clay. We started by picking a figure, and cutting out the different shapes needed for that figure. Then, you had to cut the edges so they would fit together and start putting the figure together. This project is really fun and exciting. I enjoy using clay and building things. I think it is going to be fun to glaze it. I look forward to working more on this project.
Sunday, November 6, 2011
Personal Blog: 10/31-11/4
We started the week off with art. In art, we are finished up all of our projects, the grid enlargement, the commercial, and all the evaluations. We also shared our commercials later on in the week. I thought that most of the commercials were interesting and very cool. Overall, I think that this project went well, but I think we had too much time to work on it.
For S.S., we wrote a constitution for Libya. I thought that writing the Constitution was cool. I had never really that hard before about different laws and how they should be. I had never really thought about how I would want the laws. I like how all the groups had a different section. I thought it worked well that way.
In Science, we are making crystals. We had to super-saturated a chemical in water. Then, we put a drop of the new liquid on top of the beaker, and the crystal started making. After we waited a day, we took the crystal and tied a string to it. Then, we put it in the liquid. It continues to grow now that it is in the liquid. I think making a crystal is really cool. I am curious to see what chemicals make what kind of crystal. I look forward to studying the crystals.
In English, on Friday, we watched a biography on John Steinbeck. He is the author of a book we will be reading, Of Mice and Men. While watching the video, I thought that John had an interesting life. He wasn't like what I expected him to be. I didn't know that he based his books off his childhood and things that were really happening in the world. After watching the biography, I am now curious of what this book is going to be about.
On Friday, our career projects were due. I thought that this project was really easy. It didn't take me very long, but I think my final project is well done. It was interesting to see what the result of our career matchmaker test was. The jobs that showed up for me fit what I want to do. For this project, I picked the number one career suggested for me. That was a school counselor. I learned a lot about that job while doing this project.
For S.S., we wrote a constitution for Libya. I thought that writing the Constitution was cool. I had never really that hard before about different laws and how they should be. I had never really thought about how I would want the laws. I like how all the groups had a different section. I thought it worked well that way.
In Science, we are making crystals. We had to super-saturated a chemical in water. Then, we put a drop of the new liquid on top of the beaker, and the crystal started making. After we waited a day, we took the crystal and tied a string to it. Then, we put it in the liquid. It continues to grow now that it is in the liquid. I think making a crystal is really cool. I am curious to see what chemicals make what kind of crystal. I look forward to studying the crystals.
In English, on Friday, we watched a biography on John Steinbeck. He is the author of a book we will be reading, Of Mice and Men. While watching the video, I thought that John had an interesting life. He wasn't like what I expected him to be. I didn't know that he based his books off his childhood and things that were really happening in the world. After watching the biography, I am now curious of what this book is going to be about.
On Friday, our career projects were due. I thought that this project was really easy. It didn't take me very long, but I think my final project is well done. It was interesting to see what the result of our career matchmaker test was. The jobs that showed up for me fit what I want to do. For this project, I picked the number one career suggested for me. That was a school counselor. I learned a lot about that job while doing this project.
Friday, October 28, 2011
Personal Blog
We started the week off with editing and reviewing our presentations for the one to one technology proposal. We worked with Ms. Miller and Mr. Mechinech to make our presentations as best as we could before Wednesday came along.
On Wednesday, we had our presentations for the school board. I thought they went well. The people that came to watch us seemed impressed, and they asked us many questions. I felt like we were well prepared and answered the questions well. I hope everyone that came to our presentations consider one to one technology and everything else we presented.
We were also given our midterm assignment. For this assignment, we are suppose to find an occupation and do research on it. We can research on Career Cruising, or just using a search engine. Then, we will have to figure out how that occupation relates to science, social studies, and english. When all of our research is done, we will need to put it into a project and make it creative for art. This project doesn't seem too hard and I am looking forward to doing more research for this project.
We are continuing our work with Constitutions. This week, we compared different things that Constitutions from different countries include. We took that information and decided what we wanted the Constitution for Libya to include. I think that writing a Constitution for Libya will be fun. Hopefully we will work on that next week.
We are continuing our work with Constitutions. This week, we compared different things that Constitutions from different countries include. We took that information and decided what we wanted the Constitution for Libya to include. I think that writing a Constitution for Libya will be fun. Hopefully we will work on that next week.
Friday, October 21, 2011
Personal Blog
This week, we finished reading the book Acceptance and we had a class discussion about it. I thought that the discussion this week was one of the best discussions we have had. It felt like everyone really got into talking about this. Reading this book has really gotten me thinking about my college and career path. Hopefully, by reading this book, getting ready and applying for college won't be as hard.
We also worked on our presentation for the school board. We are putting all the information we found about four different devices into a Prezi. We are finished with all our research, and we are done putting it into the project. I look forward to presenting this on Wednesday.
We also have been doing more studying on the US Constitution. We compared the US Constitution to other constitutions from different countries. It is interesting to see the similarities and differences. Now, we have been assigned a country, and with our group, we are doing different things with the country.
In art class, the commercial and the grid enlargement were due today. I am really happy with both projects. I thought our commercial was good, and by making it, I learned how to use a new program. My grid enlargement is also good. I never thought I would be able to draw something like that. I am really proud of myself.
We also worked on our presentation for the school board. We are putting all the information we found about four different devices into a Prezi. We are finished with all our research, and we are done putting it into the project. I look forward to presenting this on Wednesday.
We also have been doing more studying on the US Constitution. We compared the US Constitution to other constitutions from different countries. It is interesting to see the similarities and differences. Now, we have been assigned a country, and with our group, we are doing different things with the country.
In art class, the commercial and the grid enlargement were due today. I am really happy with both projects. I thought our commercial was good, and by making it, I learned how to use a new program. My grid enlargement is also good. I never thought I would be able to draw something like that. I am really proud of myself.
Friday, October 14, 2011
Personal Blog
At the beginning of the week, after we had posted our link to our product testing lab on our blogs, we had time to look at other peoples projects. We commented on them giving them feedback. It was helpful to know what other people thought of your project.
We also had some analysis practice this week. We got different graphs, and we had to write an analysis for the data. It was helpful practicing that.
Ms. Miller also helped us with our sources and in text citations. She reviewed our reference page and our in text citations on our project. It was a good thing she reviewed them because there were some errors in our project with our references.
We also learned more about the US Constitution this week. We had to search through newspapers and find articles related to the four parts of the Preamble of the Constitution. Finding articles was hard at first, but it got easier as we went on. Then, we took a quiz online about the Constitution. I thought that the quiz was easy, but it helped me learn some things I didn't know about the Constitution.
We have been continuing to read Acceptance and having group discussions. The discussions have been helping me understand the book better. Also, they have been helping me learn what other people think about the book and college. I think this book is interesting and is helping me think more about decisions I will have to make in the future.
This week, we started to work on a new project. This project is about different types of technology. After we have finished this project, we are going to show it to the school board. Our purpose is to find the type of device that will last through four years of high school. We are doing research on laptops, iPads, iPods, Macs, and we are going to find other devices too. We are going to look at their battery life, cost, storage, and other factors. So far, the research is going well.
On Thursday, we went to the Apple Store to do some research on different devices. We got to test Macs, iPads, iPods, and other devices. We were also able to asks questions to the people that worked there. The information we learned at the Apple Store will defiantly help us with our project. Going to the Apple Store was a good way to end our week.
We also had some analysis practice this week. We got different graphs, and we had to write an analysis for the data. It was helpful practicing that.
Ms. Miller also helped us with our sources and in text citations. She reviewed our reference page and our in text citations on our project. It was a good thing she reviewed them because there were some errors in our project with our references.
We also learned more about the US Constitution this week. We had to search through newspapers and find articles related to the four parts of the Preamble of the Constitution. Finding articles was hard at first, but it got easier as we went on. Then, we took a quiz online about the Constitution. I thought that the quiz was easy, but it helped me learn some things I didn't know about the Constitution.
We have been continuing to read Acceptance and having group discussions. The discussions have been helping me understand the book better. Also, they have been helping me learn what other people think about the book and college. I think this book is interesting and is helping me think more about decisions I will have to make in the future.
This week, we started to work on a new project. This project is about different types of technology. After we have finished this project, we are going to show it to the school board. Our purpose is to find the type of device that will last through four years of high school. We are doing research on laptops, iPads, iPods, Macs, and we are going to find other devices too. We are going to look at their battery life, cost, storage, and other factors. So far, the research is going well.
On Thursday, we went to the Apple Store to do some research on different devices. We got to test Macs, iPads, iPods, and other devices. We were also able to asks questions to the people that worked there. The information we learned at the Apple Store will defiantly help us with our project. Going to the Apple Store was a good way to end our week.
Saturday, October 8, 2011
Personal Blog
This week in ILA, we did more work on our product testing project. We also worked on our commercial for this project for art. I had never used that program before, but I learned it fast. It was easy to do. Hopefully our presentation for the project goes well.
In art, we are also working on our grid projects. They are starting to look cool. I never thought I could draw something to look as close as it does to a picture. This project has been taking a long time, and I hope we finish them soon.
We have also been reading the book Acceptance. This is a non-fiction book about kids preparing for college. Reading Acceptance has gotten me thinking about college. I think this book ties in well with this class. On Wednesday, we had a class discussion about this book. I liked doing a class discussion rather than doing a discussion in small groups. I hope we continue to do discussions like that.
To end the week, we had a test. The test included all the things we have been learning about, the scientific method, APA citations, and cabinet and agencies for different situations. I didn't think the test was too hard, but some parts were harder than others. Some of the instructions on the test were a little confusing. Hopefully I did good on the test.
In art, we are also working on our grid projects. They are starting to look cool. I never thought I could draw something to look as close as it does to a picture. This project has been taking a long time, and I hope we finish them soon.
We have also been reading the book Acceptance. This is a non-fiction book about kids preparing for college. Reading Acceptance has gotten me thinking about college. I think this book ties in well with this class. On Wednesday, we had a class discussion about this book. I liked doing a class discussion rather than doing a discussion in small groups. I hope we continue to do discussions like that.
To end the week, we had a test. The test included all the things we have been learning about, the scientific method, APA citations, and cabinet and agencies for different situations. I didn't think the test was too hard, but some parts were harder than others. Some of the instructions on the test were a little confusing. Hopefully I did good on the test.
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Product Testing
The purpose of the product testing was to see what brand of nail polish was the most durable. Here is where you can find my groups results:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1OfnBFADvWUfbDwxTw8Am1G1tVSk-SdaBgHDbpi_2KKA/edit?hl=en_US
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1OfnBFADvWUfbDwxTw8Am1G1tVSk-SdaBgHDbpi_2KKA/edit?hl=en_US
Sunday, October 2, 2011
Personal Blog
This week, we focused mainly on a new project. For this project, we had to work with one other person and we have to compare different products. In my group, we are comparing different brands of nail polish. I think this project is challenging, but not too hard. The hardest part, I thought, was doing the research. I couldn't find many things on the topic I was doing, but I think everything else we have done so far was not too difficult. On this upcoming week, we will be finishing up this project. I hope everything works out the way it was planned.
Another thing we did this week was practicing the scientific method. It was good to refresh my memory by doing this. I thought it was nice how on Google Docs, Mr. Mechenich could comment on what we did wrong. I thought that it was better that way than handing a paper back with what we did wrong.
I think I got a lot accomplished this week with my group on our new project. I hope I continue to do that in future weeks.
Another thing we did this week was practicing the scientific method. It was good to refresh my memory by doing this. I thought it was nice how on Google Docs, Mr. Mechenich could comment on what we did wrong. I thought that it was better that way than handing a paper back with what we did wrong.
I think I got a lot accomplished this week with my group on our new project. I hope I continue to do that in future weeks.
Saturday, September 24, 2011
Personal Blog
On Monday, we took a walk through Hartland and looked for spots where we could put security cameras. We have been learning about having security, but not invading. That is why we did that walk. We also have been learning about Libya. We did a group project to help us learn about Google docs, but we also learned about things that happened in Libya. We also had another project due this week. For this project, we had to research internet and technology laws in the US. Then we had to look through the Constitution and find an amendment that we thought applied to the internet. The presentations were supposed to give us ideas for a Libyan Constitution we will be making. Another thing we learned this week was how to make an APA reference page. We also learned about measurement and the tools in the science lab. In art class, we have been working on a drawing by making a grid on the picture. On Tuesday, we had a "College and Career Readiness" presentation. In that presentation we learned about careers that will be available when we get to the age where we will be ready for work.
This week we did a lot, and I learned about security, references, Libya, Google docs, and US laws about technology.
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Career Presentation
"College and Career Readiness" means that I am informed about different jobs and the learning tactics for college. We have used 21st Century skills in the Academy when we work with computers and doing different activities and projects along with our work.
I want to become a teacher, or any job that involves working with kids. Teaching was number one for the most predicted available jobs by the time I would be working. That is a good thing for me if I would want to do that job. Some skills I would need for teaching are being creative/innovative, being a good leader, having good communication/collaboration, having dedication, and probably being good with technology since that is becoming a big part of our lives. I think that being a teacher would be fun, and I look forward to learning more about the job.
I want to become a teacher, or any job that involves working with kids. Teaching was number one for the most predicted available jobs by the time I would be working. That is a good thing for me if I would want to do that job. Some skills I would need for teaching are being creative/innovative, being a good leader, having good communication/collaboration, having dedication, and probably being good with technology since that is becoming a big part of our lives. I think that being a teacher would be fun, and I look forward to learning more about the job.
Measurement Practice Questions
1. Accuracy is how close the measurements are to the correct value. Precision is how close each measurements are to each other.
2. An electronic balance is precise and accurate, but a triple beam balance is precise and not accurate.
3. A significant digit is all non-zero digits.
4. According to my data, there would be 1,999.273 grams in 2 Liters.
Summary:
I did not know how to find a volume of an object. I learned that to do that, you need to fill a graduated cylinder with water and put the object in. However many milliliters the water rose is the volume. I also learned about a significant digit and the difference between precise and accuracy. I learned that it is very important to be as precise as possible.
2. An electronic balance is precise and accurate, but a triple beam balance is precise and not accurate.
3. A significant digit is all non-zero digits.
4. According to my data, there would be 1,999.273 grams in 2 Liters.
Summary:
I did not know how to find a volume of an object. I learned that to do that, you need to fill a graduated cylinder with water and put the object in. However many milliliters the water rose is the volume. I also learned about a significant digit and the difference between precise and accuracy. I learned that it is very important to be as precise as possible.
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Achieve 3000: "How does the iPad stack up?" Response
iPads and laptops and netbooks have many differences and similarities. Some things about the iPad are better than some things on a netbook or laptop and vice-versa, but I think that a laptop or a netbook would be more beneficial for our academy. First of all, on a laptop or a netbook, you have the ability to print and save things on a flash drive. With that, you could work on those documents on another computer. On a iPad, you don't have the ability to save on a flash drive and work on a different computer. Another reason why I think using a laptop would be more efficient is because most people know how to use them, and for some, it would be hard to learn how to use an iPad. Also, iPads are more expensive than most netbooks or laptops. Overall, I think it depends on the user whether they prefer something like a laptop or netbook, or something like an iPad. Everyone probably has different thoughts.
Friday, September 9, 2011
Challenge Course
On Thursday, when we did the challenge course, I had so much fun. The challenge course was a great way to build teamwork. I thought our class did a good job working together in groups. First of all, this activity helped me learn peoples names I didn't know. It was nice that when people were climbing, other kids in the class were cheering each other on giving them courage to keep going. I learned that teamwork is very important.
Room Design
I really enjoyed this designing the room project. I think we did this project so we could practice our art skills by making a diagram, on the computer or by hand, measuring the length of different objects, practice debating skills, and to design our room the way we wanted to. This project taught me that it was important to listen to others to make the project the best it can be. I also learned how to use a new program that may be helpful for me in the future, Google Sketch Up. Doing this project in a group helped me learn the right people to work with. This project was very helpful in many ways.
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