Team Banner
In this project we were suppose to come together and collaborate over an image we would like to build to represent our team. We were then placed into groups to create a trademark that we wanted to be a part of our group banner. Once everyone voted for their favorite object each group got busy on sketching, cutting and painting there piece. Through this project I learned that everyone's idea can be incorporated into an end product, and in my past experience with banner projects its only been just one person's vision. I also learned how to scale a drawing and how to correctly operate power tools, but that was more of the physics side of the project.
Team Banner Reflection
I think this was a great first High Tech High project, because this was kind of an ice breaker project and it was very hands on. The main decision why I decided to attended High Tech High is because of the tactile learning the school provides. So, I did appreciate the fact that my first project was hands on. This project also opened my eyes to the idea that everyone's opinion can be heard and incorporated into a big group project. I also enjoyed the artistic part of the project; I now know that painting is an effective stress reliever.
Dia de Los Muertos Project
For this huge assignment we had to create a poem and instruments, our theme was a promise to life in the mirror of death. This was actually quite a difficult piece to write about, because we needed to write a complete original piece on a topic that we don't have much experience in. We also learned about many different types of poems like; carpe diem, haiku, free verse and an elegy. We went back in time and learned about were slam poetry originated from; we had a chance to experience it first hand and even present our personal pieces. I mostly learned how to pour my creative thoughts into a powerful piece that can change the thoughts of others. one saying that really stuck to me was; in slam poetry you are expected to do the unexpected.
Blue Bruin Weebly Link
Dia de Los Muertos Reflection
My favorite moment was Thursday night during our performance. It was my first exhibition and I couldn't of hoped for a better performance; I felt like it was finally falling into place for the first time. After all those practices and calculation worksheets something physical and great came out of it. My group seemed to always be behind, but we pulled through. It was one of the best feelings I have ever felt; we made something strong and powerful. When the audience all clapped after we nailed the ending; I felt like nothing touch us. I do hope that this moment was also memorable to my group members, because we worked hard and I think our finale product was amazing.
POL Presentation
For our POL we had to create a slide show with three images; these images had to describe how we have grown as a writer, physicist and as a person. I did something different, for my growth as a writer I turned it into the thought of me growing as an analytical thinker. For physics I described how I was able to grow by being able to connect to science through our hands on experience. Finally for my growth as a person I told how I have become more outgoing and confident. So, we had to talk for ten minutes and then we received question and comments from our audience.
POL SlideShow
POL Typed Presentation
POL Reflection
I feel like my presentation of learning turned out really well and I practiced it quite a bit. For my humanities picture I used a very confusing pattern, it symbolizes how I have grown as an analytical thinker and in being able to dissect ideas. In my whole POL I tried to breakdown all my thoughts and information to show my new skill, and the best part was that it was all subconsciously. My physics image was a half black and a half white slide, which symbolized my thoughts on science class before and after High Tech High. I passed and received many comments from Ms. Shirk and Mrs. Quinlin and how I am a hard worker and an analytical thinker.
Description of Happiness Project
This has been such a huge project and so much has been covered in the three months. In the beginning of this adventure it all began with creating our personal growth sheet and finding out what we want to improve in our selfs. After that we quickly got into finding songs that inspired us and made us happy. This project was based on students happiness and how to improve it, which also lead into anthropology and how different situations affect your overall mood. With my inspiring song I created a thesis paper about how the song has hidden inspiring messages to help with different life issues. I then went on a feild trip to the Deer Park Monastery to find our inner self and to realize what really matters. After completing all of our happiness exercises we were able to remodel our room into our own personal space, and everyone had a say in what was going on. So, the classroom became our space and during F.D.S we were able to exhibit everything to family, friends and strangers.
Final Artist Statement
Personal Growth Journal
Personal Reflection for FDS: The Happiness Project
Prompt #1; the most memorable part was the gender unit. Reading the articles, having socratic seminars, dissecting the differences and viewing how gender acts in and outside of the classroom. Of course I knew the physical differences between genders, but I learned so much more. The part that stuck out the most was how I could actually see the difference in behavior and actions. I am know confident enough in my self to use what I know about genders to make decisions.
Prompt #2; There was a couple difficult issues that came up, but the most prominate was meditation and the Deer Park Monastery. I tried to be as opened minded as I could, but it is always easier said then done. The mediation was difficult for me; having to breath slowly and focus on the here and now. I'm the type of person that always has to think ahead and make plans, so it was difficult. I did however learn that I cannot control everything except for my own breathing.
Prompt #3; 1st habit: Mindfulness
Through this whole project I have become so mindful and this is due to all the activities we did. I now even make an effort to be more mindful, and learned to accept incidents to improve my happiness level.
2nd habit: Cooperation
I feel as if I have used this skill most through this project. For example if I had not cooperated in the exercises I would have not gotten as much out of it as I did. I have learned new things even if they do seem outlandish.
3rd habit: Refinement
I was shocked to find myself improved and enjoying the habit of refinement. I have always disliked this task because I never liked to go back and redo work. However, during the creation of the thesis paper there was much refinement and it made me realize that my work can always be better.
Prompt #4; I am a firm believer that grades promote your own happiness. That is the one reason why I do push myself so hard. If go under my standards I feel disappointed and it makes me realize that I am not trying hard enough. I know for a fact that when I get a grade to my standard I am much happier in myself.
Prompt #5; The one thing about the project that I would refine would be the essay on your favorite inspiring song. The reason why I would refine it is because I feel that I did not try hard enough and didn't refine it enough. The other reason to be blunt , is that I got a lower grade then I wanted. I do think that I picked a good song that had plenty t go off from, but I just didn't dissect enough. So, if I could refine any aspect of the happiness project it would be the thesis paper, but other than that I feel confident in my other work.
Prompt #2; There was a couple difficult issues that came up, but the most prominate was meditation and the Deer Park Monastery. I tried to be as opened minded as I could, but it is always easier said then done. The mediation was difficult for me; having to breath slowly and focus on the here and now. I'm the type of person that always has to think ahead and make plans, so it was difficult. I did however learn that I cannot control everything except for my own breathing.
Prompt #3; 1st habit: Mindfulness
Through this whole project I have become so mindful and this is due to all the activities we did. I now even make an effort to be more mindful, and learned to accept incidents to improve my happiness level.
2nd habit: Cooperation
I feel as if I have used this skill most through this project. For example if I had not cooperated in the exercises I would have not gotten as much out of it as I did. I have learned new things even if they do seem outlandish.
3rd habit: Refinement
I was shocked to find myself improved and enjoying the habit of refinement. I have always disliked this task because I never liked to go back and redo work. However, during the creation of the thesis paper there was much refinement and it made me realize that my work can always be better.
Prompt #4; I am a firm believer that grades promote your own happiness. That is the one reason why I do push myself so hard. If go under my standards I feel disappointed and it makes me realize that I am not trying hard enough. I know for a fact that when I get a grade to my standard I am much happier in myself.
Prompt #5; The one thing about the project that I would refine would be the essay on your favorite inspiring song. The reason why I would refine it is because I feel that I did not try hard enough and didn't refine it enough. The other reason to be blunt , is that I got a lower grade then I wanted. I do think that I picked a good song that had plenty t go off from, but I just didn't dissect enough. So, if I could refine any aspect of the happiness project it would be the thesis paper, but other than that I feel confident in my other work.
Romeo and Juliet Hat
For this project we had to pick a character from the famous story of Romeo and Juliet. My pod was given the choice of any Montague character, so me and my partner choose Friar Laurence. For our hat we choose to do something different and unique by using a bandana, because the bandana symbolizes men of the cloth in the literal sense. It also represents how many men can easily use a bandana to hide ones true features, and some holy men do use their position as a fake cover. The bandana has a cross as its focal point to show that the Friar is truly faithful to his religion. We placed a feather and a bible on the sides to show that he was a man who knew how to read and write, and was truly a scholar.
Romeo and Juliet Hat Reflection
Creating these hats for the Romeo and Juliet enhanced the story, because it added creativity, insight to the character's traits and helped remember the character. The hats added creativity because every two people were given a character and we each got decided how we wanted the hat to look. I also enjoyed this part because it was kind of a little art project in humanities; we got to use hot glue guns, paint, and other artsy stuff. Letting us be creative let us choose how we want to depict the character. For example, once a person was given a character they were given some background information and had to make several rough sketches of our finale product. This gave me the creative license to explain the character however I wanted through the hat. Having such crazy visuals defiantly helped me remember the characters and their lines. With the act quizzes the hats acted as a cheat sheet sort of, because when ever I couldn't remember a line I would just look at the hats and the answer came rushing t my head.
Snapshot Comic Strip Description
For this project you are required to read a book on your own and then create a writing piece followed with a comic strip that depicts your favorite part from your book. The requirements are;
- Use the 8 cell comic strip template that Mrs. Britt supplied.
- Hand draw and color each cell in order of the action/event you have chosen from your independent reading book.
- You may use colored pencils, markers or black ink, but choose only one of these mediums.
- Typed commentary using MLA Format (12 pt font, times new roman, 1.5 spacing) that should explain the scene in your comic strip, why you chose the scene and an explanation of why you depicted the scene the way you did artistically.
Snapshot Comic Strip Reflection
For the snapshot comic strip project I read the book the; The Ministers Daughter, and I picked the scene when Grace's bastard son is found by a caring mother who is in need of a new son. This scene is actually the turning point of the whole story, after this occurs in the novel it changes to a more hopeful story. However, it is not a very well known or important scene it is to me because it quickens the plot. I chose to use the medium of black pen to symbolize the irony behind the story. The irony is when this story took place it was thought of a time when something was either right or wrong; black or white. Throughout the story this thought was constantly being contradicted; so, that is why I knew doing the art in black and white would be very ironic. I enjoyed creating this art project because it let tell my opinion on my favorite part of the book and how I imagined it.
Movie Poster Description
For this project I had to read a book, create a movie poster and a writing piece. The movie poster has to depict the theme, a scene or a symbol from the book. The requirements are;
* Title of the author
* Authors name
* Tag line that embodies the main theme of the novel
* It has to be done on a poster board that is 14by22
Through this assignment it encourages thoughtfulness and complete creative license to add and create whatever you want, because it is your personal thoughts on the book.
* Title of the author
* Authors name
* Tag line that embodies the main theme of the novel
* It has to be done on a poster board that is 14by22
Through this assignment it encourages thoughtfulness and complete creative license to add and create whatever you want, because it is your personal thoughts on the book.
Movie Poster Reflection
For this project I read my favorite book of all time; The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. I picked this book because I have never seen a movie The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and would love to see one; so I decided to create a cast and a movie poster. In the poster I drew Tom Sawyer in his overalls and infamous straw hat, because he is obviously the main character . The blue on the side of the poster was placed there to add more color and because blue, red and white symbolizes that this book reminds me of America in the olden days. The movie poster tagline is; The boy who has done it all, and it is true. I feel that this movie would get a large audience because The Adventures of Tom Sawyer is a classic and I am sure many adults feel just as connected to the story as an adolescence. Most movies these days are very inappropriate or not family friendly and this would be an excellent family friendly movie that all ages could enjoy.
Character Portrait Description
This was another independent reading project where you have to pick your favorite character from a book, and draw a portrait with objects to describe their personal traits. Along with the drawing a written piece is also required. The writing piece has to contain the character's biggest secret, their personality and the explanation of why the character looks the way it does. The drawing has to be completed on a big poster board with the image taking up eighty percent of the poster board. The learning goals of this assignment is to excel in literature, drawing and reading. The portrait also has to be colored to more vividly show the character. The character that is chosen does not have to be the main character, which gives you creative license.
Character Portrait Reflection
This assignment was one of my favorite ones to do, because I did enjoy drawing and describing my favorite character.The book I chose to do the report on is; Under the Jolly Rodger. This is a book from the series of Jacky Faber, she is the main character and is one of my book character idols. She is one of my idols because she travels the world in the Navy as a boy, has love affairs, beats most every man who challengers her and becomes a vigilantey. I drew Jacky Faber with a pirate hat to give you insight into her personality and her career. The writing piece was also fun to create, because I was able to become very creative with her personality and her secrets; for her biggest secret I put that she could time travel. I enjoyed having creative license of the amazing Jacky Faber, it allowed me to have fun with a book character without having to create a whole new character. I did spend a lot of time working on Jacky's portrait, but that is just because I made multiply rough drafts in hope to get her perfect. One thing that I would revise for this project would be the writing piece, because I should have used more descriptive language. I would also add color to the background of the drawling, but I am most proud of the eyes. This was the first time I have ever gotten eyes to be sort of symmetrical.