Question and Answer
Personal Connections and Adult World Connections
1. Which project did you have the most personal connection with this year? Why?
This year, I had a personal connection with the socialization essay because it helped me understand why I am who I am and the outside factors that influence my decisions. I really got into this project because we could choose a topic, and I chose a topic that is a relevant factor in my life.
2. What have you learned (skill, lesson, or knowledge) this year that would be the most helpful for you in the future?
Learning the TEA (Topic, Evidence, Analysis) format for writing has really helped me organize my thoughts, express my opinions creatively, and explain my choices of evidence. I haved used this a lot this year, and it was very beneficial while I was doing PARCC testing. In my PARCC writing and language arts test, we were asked to write an essay as the final question. At first, I was overwhelmed. I then remembered that I should use the TEA format, which made my essay flow smoothly and it ended up being something I was proud of.
2. What project or projects have you done this year that have inspired you to learn more? Explain how you were inspired.
The socialization project really inspired me, as I now have an interest in sociology. I think that this project helped me understand what sociology is, and now I know that it is something I might pursue in the future.
3. How has your attitude toward learning changed this year?
My attitude towards learning has changed drastically this year. I have become a lot more enthusiastic about my work, and even if I am faced with something very difficult, I use it as an opportunity to challenge myself to put forth my best effort. Even if I don’t fully invest myself into a project, I still go about my work with a positive and engaged attitude. This has been especially helpful in math. In the past, I was intimidated by math and didn’t enjoy it at all. This is how it was at the beginning of the year. Once I learned how the class worked (notes and then time to work on homework almost every day), I began to relax and get engaged with the work. I now am not quite so intimidated with it, and I am excited to learn more- even if the topic is challenging.
4. What connections have you made this year between what you have learned in your classes and your own personal experiences outside of school?
This year, I’ve really understood how to support those around me. In gymnastics and piano, there always used to be a sense of competition between me and a few other people. I’ve realized this year that the only person I should be competing against is myself. This has also been very true for me in my school work. Rather that comparing myself to others, I can now strive to improve only for myself.
5. How have your learning and experiences at AHS this year changed the way you see the world?
Overall, my year has been a lot about collaboration. I have learned that you need to collaborate in order to get other perspectives, and to see other people’s perspectives. This experience in collaboration has given me an opportunity to have a different outlook on everything, such as why people do what they do.
6. What work from this year would you like to look back on and remember when you are a graduating senior?
Although it was a small project, I would like to look back on my money manifesto. This project definitely changed and shaped my opinions by giving me another point of view.
You as a Student and a Learner (Your Work and Your Work Habits):
1. What is the most important change that you have made as a learner this year?
This year, I have become more engaged in what I do. At the beginning of the year, I would just do projects to get them done, not really thinking about what I was learning. Now, I can not only understand the content I am getting, but I can also look back on previous projects in order to get more out of them.
2. How have you taken an active role in your education this year?
In the past, I have greatly struggled with advocacy. Before a few years ago, I didn’t understand that if there was something you don’t like, you have the power to change it. I remember sitting in my fourth or fifth grade ALP meeting and discussing that advocacy was an issue for me. At the time, I probably barely knew what advocacy was, nevertheless how to use it. Now, I am very comfortable advocating for myself about anything- whether it be needing an extension or just some more instruction.
3. What piece of work that you’ve done this year are you proudest of?
Although there are few projects that I am proud of, I am the most proud of my socialization essay/mask project. I am proud of this project because I clearly state my opinion, through evidence and strong, critical analysis.
4. If you could go back and refine one piece of work this year, what piece of work would you refine and how would you refine it?
One piece of work that I would refine or even redo from this year is the Physics/Earth Science geologic timeline project. I didn’t take this project as seriously as I should have, as it was about the formation of interesting features in our area. I would probably try to find more information about my topic, Arches National Park, in order to further develop my paragraph to be more fact filled and informational, as well as engaging.
5. If you were the teacher, what comments would your teacher make about your work habits?
As the teacher, I would say that I can get easily distracted, but I definitely get things done when I focus.
6. What might you want next year’s teacher to know about your work habits?
I think that next year’s teacher should know that although I get off to a slow start, I can be very excited about projects and I work a well with a solid deadline.
7. What is the most difficult thing you’ve done this year? Why was it difficult, and how did you deal with that difficulty?
The most difficult thing I’ve done this year was the physics wave project. I had originally started off by myself, and I created a question to test that I really liked. When I went to get my question approved, we weren’t sure if the test would be feasible. I had to try it out in the hall, however I quickly learned that it was nearly impossible with only one person. I had to use other people from other groups to help me only with the preliminary testing. I ended up finding two people without groups who joined me. This was exactly what I needed, because my testing worked better with three people. With three people and a change of location (in the hall to outside), we ended up having some reasonably successful tests.
8. How has group collaboration helped you as a student?
Group collaboration has really helped me become a better leader- rather than being really bossy, I am working towards and am now open to hearing other people’s ideas. I have learned that it is really important for me to trust other people to do good work.
Reflecting on Yourself and Our Model of Education (Project Based Learning and our Student Culture):
1. What would you say to an incoming 9th grader about how to succeed in project based learning?
I think that one think that is very important to always stay on top of your work. Often, projects will not be due the next day, rather in a week or two. It is important to work on the project while you can, rather than procrastinating and waiting until the last minute (coming from someone who has done this before).
2. How have any of the habits of heart and mind helped you be successful as a student or person?
This year while working on collaboration, I have learned to embrace perspective. Perspective has helped me understand where other people are coming from, and why their ideas could be more effective that mine.
3. How has a relationship with a faculty member helped you to be more successful in the school year?
This year, having a strong student-teacher relationship with my Humanities teacher, Matt, has helped me improve my writing and helped me be confident in advocating for help.
4. How has the work in Advisory helped you grow or change as a student, as a friend, and as a citizen?
The grade checks in Advisory have helped me stay on top of my missing work, and the graphs have shown me my progress.
5. Project based learning is a different model than traditional models of education. Explain how project based learning has influenced your learning and your production of work.
Project based learning has really helped me with skills that will benefit me in the future, like time management. Time management has been difficult for me in the past, and it still is an area for growth.