Humanities
Sci-Fi: Pandora's book
The Book of Us
Each student in our class wrote a piece about something that mattered to us, and published the student-made anthology, The Book of Us. Using the "Real World Writing Purposes" by Kelly Gallagher as a guide, we each chose a style of writing to use. To get a deeper understanding of what these writing purposes meant, we examined articles on topics ranging from the harms of teenage drinking to the racial identity of emojis. We also chose our own mentor texts that would guide us in our journey to the final draft.
Journey to the Final Draft
When I first began writing my piece, I thought that I wanted to write something that described the daily struggles of teenage life. Dr. P let our minds wander with a few free writes (my two personal favorites were "What's a lesson you learned the hard way?" to "Would you rather have fingers as long as your legs, or legs as long as your fingers?"). I finished brainstorming, and I realized that I wanted to create something more than an essay about why being a teenager is hard. I wanted to create something beautiful that I can look back to in the future. I started to think about some of my fondest childhood memories, and came up with the idea of writing about travel. Then, the next day in class, the free write prompt was "The taste of ____ reminds me of____" and my idea soared.
Here's what my first draft, also known as a "down draft", looked like:
|
With this piece of writing, many of my classmates told me that I had good description, but that my piece was missing something that tied it all together. Some of my classmates also thought that my piece could use some more topics to describe. After adding description, pinpointing moments to describe, giving my piece a title that brought it all together, and revising my near a total of ten times, I came to my final draft. |
I gathered more inspiration from Dr. P's memoir about his travels in Madrid. I used a graphic organizer to pinpoint certain ideas that I wanted to use in my final draft.
Final Draft- Moments in the Algarve
Exhibition Night |
Note: In retrospect, I would make a stronger connection with my dad's experiences and the ending of the piece. The theme of challenges mingled with beauty might not be as clear as I wanted it to be.
|
Moving Forward
By taking the time to write this piece, I got the chance to focus my creativity on telling a the story of a place as I see it. Through this process, I learned that I love writing creative pieces that can form an image in people's minds. I now hold the confidence to take this skill into the future- this piece proved that I can create beautiful images through words.
All-time Greatest Panel
After President Obama's State of the Union Address on January 20th, 2015, our team came together to project how different characters in U.S. history would respond. Portraying characters varying from Elizabeth Cady Stanton to Andrew Carnegie, our class debated and responded to questions pertaining to the President's address. My partner and I represented Dolores Huerta during the class discussion.
Here is our discussion opening statement:
Here is our discussion opening statement:
doloreshuerta-openingstatementdraft1.docx | |
File Size: | 6 kb |
File Type: | docx |
Now to reflect on my experience.
I gained a valuable learning experience by working with my partner, Nayel, on the All-Time Greatest Panel this semester. First and foremost, I learned about Dolores Huerta, a civil rights activist who stood alongside Cesar Chavez in founding the United Farmworker's Association. She advocated for farmworkers' rights, women's rights, and change through means of non-violence. She's an inspiration to many, as she continues to bring awareness and speak for these causes in the present day, at her age of 84. I researched Dolores Huerta and constructed a majority of the opening statement for the panel discussion. I'm the most proud of the way that Nayel and I represented such a great person in history. However, if I could change something about the way I delivered in this project, I would have been more outspoken during the discussion, as Dolores Huerta certainly would have been. Nonetheless, I'm grateful for the opportunity I got to learn about and represent Huerta in our All-Time Greatest Discussion!
I gained a valuable learning experience by working with my partner, Nayel, on the All-Time Greatest Panel this semester. First and foremost, I learned about Dolores Huerta, a civil rights activist who stood alongside Cesar Chavez in founding the United Farmworker's Association. She advocated for farmworkers' rights, women's rights, and change through means of non-violence. She's an inspiration to many, as she continues to bring awareness and speak for these causes in the present day, at her age of 84. I researched Dolores Huerta and constructed a majority of the opening statement for the panel discussion. I'm the most proud of the way that Nayel and I represented such a great person in history. However, if I could change something about the way I delivered in this project, I would have been more outspoken during the discussion, as Dolores Huerta certainly would have been. Nonetheless, I'm grateful for the opportunity I got to learn about and represent Huerta in our All-Time Greatest Discussion!
XONR8 Theater
Visit my XONR8 blog to learn about how my team and I used theater, The California Innocence Project, and the California 12 to bring a powerful story to light.
History Week Presentations
Every so often, everyone in our class will find a partner and work to put together a presentation describing an event or point in history.
Independent Reading Book Reviews
Review on How to be a High School Superstar:
"How To Be a High School Superstar" is not a book that I found on my own and I probably wouldn't have picked it up at all if I came across it at Barnes and Noble. My advisor suggested that I read it, so I decided to get it over with at the beginning of the year. I had yet to read a book that both motivated me and put me at ease until I read Cal Newport's book. This is a "self-help" kind of book, packed with tricks and tips to help you be among the best students applying to college by using what Newport calls the "superstar effect". Newport does a great job of demystifying the college admission process and shattering the common misconceptions about what it really takes to get into college. The "superstar method" focuses on standing out in the college admissions processes in a way that's unique and interesting. Newport pushes for high school students to stop burning themselves out (and stop trying to pack their resumes with impressive leadership roles and common extracurricular activities just to get into their dream school). The only part about this book that I found rather frustrating is that it doesn't have an exciting story or a crazy plot twist (so it's less entertaining than a novel), but it did give me a new perspective and plenty of helpful tips that will undoubtedly help me in the next couple of years. I was inspired to take time to enjoy high school, live in the moment, and work with topics and projects that are challenging and exciting to me.
And, we can't forget this book's "golden line"! The quote that stood out the most to me was: "It's nearly impossible to stand out when your workday is confined to a rigid structure". It's my favorite because it reminds me to be spontaneous!
"How To Be a High School Superstar" is not a book that I found on my own and I probably wouldn't have picked it up at all if I came across it at Barnes and Noble. My advisor suggested that I read it, so I decided to get it over with at the beginning of the year. I had yet to read a book that both motivated me and put me at ease until I read Cal Newport's book. This is a "self-help" kind of book, packed with tricks and tips to help you be among the best students applying to college by using what Newport calls the "superstar effect". Newport does a great job of demystifying the college admission process and shattering the common misconceptions about what it really takes to get into college. The "superstar method" focuses on standing out in the college admissions processes in a way that's unique and interesting. Newport pushes for high school students to stop burning themselves out (and stop trying to pack their resumes with impressive leadership roles and common extracurricular activities just to get into their dream school). The only part about this book that I found rather frustrating is that it doesn't have an exciting story or a crazy plot twist (so it's less entertaining than a novel), but it did give me a new perspective and plenty of helpful tips that will undoubtedly help me in the next couple of years. I was inspired to take time to enjoy high school, live in the moment, and work with topics and projects that are challenging and exciting to me.
And, we can't forget this book's "golden line"! The quote that stood out the most to me was: "It's nearly impossible to stand out when your workday is confined to a rigid structure". It's my favorite because it reminds me to be spontaneous!
Free-Write Journal Entries
Letter To Myself
Dear Cristina,
Junior Year! Wow, how scary is that? Can't you remember all of the times during Freshman year when you thought that you would never be a Junior? It was too far away. Since then, I know you've learned a lot of valuable lessons about yourself and the world around you. By this time, you have learned that it's totally okay to be who you are. The people who matter will love you and the traits that you try to hide the most. You have seen the value of hard work and dedication throughout the last few years, so feel prepared to give it everything you've got these final years of high school. You need to take care of yourself and stay strong above all. When you begin to beat yourself down, keep in mind that you are unique from everyone else in the room. On the tough days, please don't forget to remind yourself that you are intelligent, inspiring, and a positive addition to any atmosphere. Keep working on empowering and inspiring girls in the community and around the world. Know that you can make an impact in the smallest of ways. When you look to the future, plan to do something that fulfills your heart and soul, whatever that may be. Never neglect to seize every moment, and recognize its beauty.
Finally, remember this:
"We know enough, we have enough, we are enough, and we care enough to make it wonderful."
Sincerely,
Cristina
My Thoughts After Reading The Exonerated
Here is a flow of my thoughts after I finished reading The Exonerated with my class.
Is the US justice system really fair?
If Rhode could pass the lying test because he was in yoga and karate, then what does that imply about other components of the justice system?
I realized that everyone in this story has had a different experience with the justice system in the US. For some people the Unites States is a sort of safe haven from persecution, to others it is a land of opportunity, and for a handful, it is a place of injustice. I think that this speaks to the complexity and unique nature of each human life.
The Unites States of America is a relatively new country. Maybe the process we use today isn't the best way to find someone guilty or innocent, even if it did work at some point in time.
What kind of Justice System did Ancient Greece have? Just as they had a successful democracy, did they have a successful path to justice?
It's admirable and impressive how the exonerated have such an optimistic view of their lives ahead, even though a large portion of them were stolen.
Dear Cristina,
Junior Year! Wow, how scary is that? Can't you remember all of the times during Freshman year when you thought that you would never be a Junior? It was too far away. Since then, I know you've learned a lot of valuable lessons about yourself and the world around you. By this time, you have learned that it's totally okay to be who you are. The people who matter will love you and the traits that you try to hide the most. You have seen the value of hard work and dedication throughout the last few years, so feel prepared to give it everything you've got these final years of high school. You need to take care of yourself and stay strong above all. When you begin to beat yourself down, keep in mind that you are unique from everyone else in the room. On the tough days, please don't forget to remind yourself that you are intelligent, inspiring, and a positive addition to any atmosphere. Keep working on empowering and inspiring girls in the community and around the world. Know that you can make an impact in the smallest of ways. When you look to the future, plan to do something that fulfills your heart and soul, whatever that may be. Never neglect to seize every moment, and recognize its beauty.
Finally, remember this:
"We know enough, we have enough, we are enough, and we care enough to make it wonderful."
Sincerely,
Cristina
My Thoughts After Reading The Exonerated
Here is a flow of my thoughts after I finished reading The Exonerated with my class.
Is the US justice system really fair?
If Rhode could pass the lying test because he was in yoga and karate, then what does that imply about other components of the justice system?
I realized that everyone in this story has had a different experience with the justice system in the US. For some people the Unites States is a sort of safe haven from persecution, to others it is a land of opportunity, and for a handful, it is a place of injustice. I think that this speaks to the complexity and unique nature of each human life.
The Unites States of America is a relatively new country. Maybe the process we use today isn't the best way to find someone guilty or innocent, even if it did work at some point in time.
What kind of Justice System did Ancient Greece have? Just as they had a successful democracy, did they have a successful path to justice?
It's admirable and impressive how the exonerated have such an optimistic view of their lives ahead, even though a large portion of them were stolen.