City Connections

1) What did you do well on the project? 

I did well on my project.  My slides contained alot of information .  I did a good job researching Washington D.C. and using the information that matched each slide title.  I was able to research the information without copying word for word.  I used lots of visuals on my slides to help explain each slide.  I enjoyed researching the images to put on the various slides.

2) What would you improve for future presentations/projects?

My visual powerpoint presentation was strong, but my delivery of the material could have been better.  For future presentations, I need to improve my presentation skills by looking at the audience and having a louder voice.  I should practice at home, before I present to the class and make sure I can pronounce all the words.
 
3) What did you learn about the presentation process that could include your individual preparation in addition to the presentations of others? 

I learned that giving a presentation is not easy.  Even though I had researched the information, giving a speech in front of a class was scary.  I also learned that the powerpoint presentation can be an outline, and that I do not have to write down everyword I am going to say.  I will have to work on this skill.

4) What did you learn from the city presentations of others? 

I learned a great deal about cities around the world.  The presentations opened my eyes to the various natural and man-made diasters that effect the cities we live in.   I started to see the different factors in the establishment and prosperity of a civilization.

5)  How did you meet each of the requirements from the rubric?
 
To be honest, I didn't see a rubric on this project before I started.  I had to use information from my sister.  I am not aware if 6B requirements were different than 6A.  I did try to find something on moodle before starting, but in the end I used my sister's format as a base for my project.

6) What is your analysis of your performance?  

Overall I think I did a good job on my performance.  I was able to show-off my city, highlighting the various facts I researched.  I used the images feature on Google to add to the presentation by showing maps, flags, graphs and photos.

My Learning Profile

In humanities class we completed a Dominance Factor learning profile. This learning profile tested our dominant eye, ear, brain, hand, and foot. The theory is that once we know our profile, we can use the strategies suggested to improve our learning. I discovered that I'm a Profile D.


Profile D shows that I am logic dominant. Which means that I deal with details, the parts and the process of language and linear thought. I favor a step-by-step technique in learning a new skill.

It also shows that I am a visual/auditory learner and that I need to see and hear the details in order to learn. When I am stressed, I have trouble communicating my thoughts and ideas verbally and in writing.

I would like my teachers to know that I will benefit from sitting further back in class where I can doodle or move without bothering others. My biggest challenge may be the linear processing of information. I "can't see the forest for the trees." I prefer structured learning and I appreciate orderly sequencing of information.  I would also like them to know that I love to read library books. I also love to play outdoor games like soccer, four square, basketball, and dance.

The strategies that would help me in my learning are the following:

• focus on the visual/auditory details - I need to hear and see all the details in order to learn
• Integrated cross-lateral hand play like playing with clay, knitting, writing and drawing using the non-dominat hand
• massaging the Temporal Mandibular Joint to aide in communication
• Integrating art, music, freeform movement, and interpersonal/intrapersonal skills combined with learning a new skill will be highly beneficial
• Brainstorm
• Use pictures and symbol mind maps
• Be physically active
• Write poems and songs that contain rich images and don't ryhme
• Play with free-form color painting, sculpture and dance
• Role-play to understand the big picture

 

My Christmas vacation!

This year my family decided to have a local Christmas 'Staycation.' We played tourist in Kuala Lumpur. At first I thought it would be really boring, but I was surprised how much fun we had without getting in a car for a long road trip or going on a plane, no suitcases or passports or airport lines.

The first week we got ready for Christmas.  We went to the Pavilion to admire the lights and decorations and to buy last minute gifts.  We also managed to watch every Christmas movie that our family owns, total of ten.  One night, after a thunderstorm, we felt the house shake, like an earthquake.  We found out that a large tree had fallen on our backyard and tore down our back fence.  We spent the rest of the week watching the workers cut the tree into smaller pieces so they could remove it and repair the fence. Luckily we were at home.

Christmas was fun.  After a large family breakfast, that I helped make, we spent the morning opening presents.  We spent the afternoon rearranging and cleaning our bedrooms so we could enjoy our new gifts.  We all received vouchers for the movies in our stockings.  So we spent the second week watching Tron and Narnia. The week ended with the New Year's fireworks over the KL towers.

My final week of holidays was the most fun.  My brother and my sisters practiced magic tricks and we preformed a magic show for my parents that evening.  We also watched Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom at home, and also saw Gulliver's Travels at the Pavilion theater (and we also saw Mr. Sheflin).   We went to the Sunway Pyramid on the last few days and I went ice skating for the first time ever.  I loved ice skating and I could have stayed there for hours, it reminded me of rollerskating.  I was really good at it!    I'm looking forward to going back there on our next 'staycation.'

The New Year!

Every year, I make New Year's resolutions.  This year I decided to make two, one for school and one for Boy Scouts.  My two New Year's resolutions are to get good grades in all of my subjects and to earn my Second Class Rank in BoyScouts.     

I hope to get good grades by always being prepared for class.  Being prepared for class means always having my homework done and in on time and also being ready to discuss what we read as well.  It also means that I will come to class with all the supplies necessary to do my work.  By staying on top of my school work, I hope my grades will reflect my hard work.

Last month I earned my Tenderfoot Rank in Boy Scouts.  When I went to Scoutmaster's Conference,  I realized that I was only a few requirements away from getting my next rank, Second Class.  I will work hard to complete these remaining tasks, so I can earn my next rank by May 2011.

Having New Year's resolutions is a fun exercise.  It reminds me to set goals and it gives me milestones to look forward to and strive for.  I enjoy ticking off the box when I have completed my resolutions.