Passion Project Update 1

My first two Fridays have been pretty successful in my opinion. I didn't know much about my topic so I wanted to really look into the very beginning of the Earth. It is just the basics so far (how did the Earth form? Dust particles.) but it's a good start. I now have a foundation to my research and I'll be able to get a better understanding for the rest of my project. In the coming weeks I want to start putting a document together of important information that I gathered from the video.

Passion Project Update

I began researching paranormal activity but for the next two weeks I wasn't looking forward to working on my passion project so I decided to change my idea.... surprise, Ms. Mystrena! I've been working on a project on nerves for about 3 weeks. I chose this to continue my project because I want to be a doctor and this is part of the medical field that interests me. So I am sort of 2 weeks behind and that is one of my set backs. I have to work even harder to catch up but overall I think I will be fine because we have about 7 classes left. I took a different approach to my presentation this time which is helping me. Last time I set up a Google Doc and typed up all my information and then I categorized my information into my Prezi... that was not a good idea. I am now titling my slides first and then I am researching for the specific slide. It's working much better. One other thing is I need to practice so I know my information like the back of my hand. In my last presentation I wasn't confident that I knew my content well enough.

So with 7 classes left I think I will have more than enough time to get everything finished and polished!

20% Project Reflection

I am learning about lightning for my 20% project.  There is lots of information about lightning which is good for me so I have a lot to learn about my topic.  So far I have a lot of information, but it is kind of random and I need to put it into a presentation.  I think the information I have is interesting and people will enjoy learning about it because common, lightning is a pretty cool natural phenomenon.  The one problem I've been running into is a lot of the same information.  Also I have a Google Doc full of sooo much information but I only have about 2 Prezi slides done.  
I still have to see what information I want in my Prezi.  Then I have to organize it into categories that make sense and set a good order then my Prezi should be finished!  Once my Prezi is finished I have to figure out exactly what i want to say.   

Grades

     Grades.  For some, a sore subject.  For others, a proud topic to converse about.  But all in all, grades are merely numbers.  Grades are there to show how the student is doing in their classes but they grades we have now are also just a shortcut for teachers.  They can easily put in a number grade instead of having specific comments for different skills.  It is easier for teachers and parents to look at the grade quickly to determine how the student is doing.  So they think by seeing that ONE number it shows how the student is doing for every different element in the class?
     Overall, I don't like the current 100 point grading system.  However I think that it is easy to look at, It really isn't very accurate.  They can have much more specific categories for the grades.  With more specific grading specifications, students can most definitely do better in their classes.  
      I do not think the current system accurately represents my learning and knowledge.  This is because I know much more than some of my grades show. On many of my recent tests I haven't gotten my perfect 100% in a while and I think with the standards-based grading would more accurately represent how I am doing because I know the skills, I just normally make silly mistakes.  
     I think that schools could use a combination of the 100 point grading system and the standards-based grading.  You can see you number grade still just like we're used to but you can also see how you did on an assignment specifically all at the same time.
     

The new school year has arrived and I am now as busy as ever.  So far, my year in 8th grade has been pretty good.  I am on a team with many people I didn't know so I've met new people but there are also people I am very close with on my team.  I decided to do school soccer in addition to travel so I am now very busy.  Recently I starting campaigning for class council and won class secretary.  I am very excited for the rest of the year and soon I'll be off to high school... 

The Giver

In my opinion I believe Jonas lives on, however many people may say all the facts line up to prove Jonas has died.  This is partially just a gut feeling I have to make my statement but the book also said "Jonas felt himself  losing consciousness" if somebody from the house found Jonas in time, he and Gabriel would be saved.  Also, when the Giver goes "elsewhere" the community receives the memories, this was never said to happen which is the main reason I think Jonas is still alive.  The ending did frustrate me though because I like straight forward endings. 

I've read quite a few articles on the ending of The Giver and in most she has said simply "I left the ending up to the reader" However she does mention a book The Messenger in which she says Jonas is featured, grown up.  She also said the she liked the ambiguity of the ending of The Giver but that was of course effected by the announcement of the sequel.  On top of that Lois gave hints in the interviews that Gabriel and Jonas are still living. 

Sorry I'm just posting this now, I thought I did last week but I guess it never went through.

20% Project

I want to learn about astronomy because I think the idea of everything beyond the earth amazing an it leaves me speechless. This topic is huge so I'll probably settle for a more specific topic while going through this process but that isn't necessarily what I want to do, I really want to learn about the topic as a whole and get a good understanding of it however if I do come across something that really sparks my interest, I'll devote my time to that.

-All I will need is a computer for research!
-I think unreliable or old data may be a problem I'll run into.
-Honestly I don't know anyone too knowledgeable on this topic. That also may be a roadblock...