Hello!
Throughout the course of this past year, it is easily conceivable that I have grown a lot as an English student. I have developed mostly in the areas of usage of technology, citing and applying evidence, and analysis of complex literary works. These areas have definitely improved due to the continuous work in my English class as well as online discussions where I was able to view peer feedback on areas that needed improvement. Exploring new technology and uses of it aided in the growth of my digital works as well.
The development of my digital pieces is evident throughout the course of my work in the digital pieces tab. Starting from the last school year, I created a video on my grandmother and why she inspires me. It was not very visually stimulating, although I still believe that the script is strong. I definitely improved in the visual aspects, especially when comparing that video to the most recent video I did on Psychiatry. The visuals helped bring my script to life while also adding a layer of depth to the viewer's understanding.
When writing my essays, I definitely improved in pulling concrete and strong quotes from the text. During my freshman year, this was an area that I really struggled in, but as I progressed through my sophomore year, I was able to finally see what would make my points in any essay stronger. This also leads into the next area of improvement, as strong evidence almost always leads to strong analysis. Both strong evidence and analysis can be found in my argumentative essay titled "Modesty Elicits Change."
Upon entering this school year, analysis was an area that required some serious work. We did countless activities in books and online that worked towards building up our analyzing skills. I was finally able to pull from the quotes and evidence to make my analysis stronger. Digging deeper into the quotes helped in pulling out relevant information that would be convincing to the reader.
Thank you for reading my last post of this school year and I hope you will enjoy the rest of my work on this site. :)
Monday, May 16, 2016
Thursday, May 12, 2016
Reflective Post #4 - 2016
Hello!
In my English class, we students have learned the growing importance of technology in any situation. With the development of our technological skills, we were required to make an "advertisement" video on the career of our choosing. I chose Psychiatry, as this career has been an aspiration of mine for a while. Using the Common Core standard SL.9-10.5, I created a career exploration video that can be found on the Digital Pieces tab.
The standard SL.9-10.5 requires the strategic use of digital media to enhance understanding, reasoning, and evidence to interest the viewer. In creating this project, I had to first complete thorough research on psychiatry itself. I was then obligated to interview and shadow two different people in the field to add a real and tangible aspect to the project. I finally put all elements together in an RSA animation video to cohesively tie my research and work into. I added visual media as well as audio to attract viewers interest. I also made sure to draw visually interesting pictures to bring my script to life. My goal was to inform the viewer and to draw in their interest, and I feel that I have accomplished this in this video that I am very proud of. You can even observe my growth in video making, as my project last year on a person who inspired me (also in the Digital Pieces tab) was not up to par.
Thank you for reading this post and I hope you enjoy the rest of my work!
In my English class, we students have learned the growing importance of technology in any situation. With the development of our technological skills, we were required to make an "advertisement" video on the career of our choosing. I chose Psychiatry, as this career has been an aspiration of mine for a while. Using the Common Core standard SL.9-10.5, I created a career exploration video that can be found on the Digital Pieces tab.
The standard SL.9-10.5 requires the strategic use of digital media to enhance understanding, reasoning, and evidence to interest the viewer. In creating this project, I had to first complete thorough research on psychiatry itself. I was then obligated to interview and shadow two different people in the field to add a real and tangible aspect to the project. I finally put all elements together in an RSA animation video to cohesively tie my research and work into. I added visual media as well as audio to attract viewers interest. I also made sure to draw visually interesting pictures to bring my script to life. My goal was to inform the viewer and to draw in their interest, and I feel that I have accomplished this in this video that I am very proud of. You can even observe my growth in video making, as my project last year on a person who inspired me (also in the Digital Pieces tab) was not up to par.
Thank you for reading this post and I hope you enjoy the rest of my work!
Tuesday, May 10, 2016
Reflective Post #3 - 2016
Hello!
As I have previously stated, I have always loved creative writing. I began creating as soon as I could pick up a pencil and write, and I hope to continue this passion throughout my life. In following the Common Core Standards, I wrote a short narrative to fit in the standard W.9-10.3 which requires narratives to have well-structured sequences and details, as well as to be strong and effective.
When searching for inspiration to write this narrative, I recalled stories that my parents and grandparents would tell me when I was younger. Their tales of spirits and other folklore always intrigued me, especially considering that my (partially) Native American heritage values these stories to teach and remember.
When writing this narrative, I created characters and tied in dialogue to keep the reader interested, rather than my initial incentive to just create the spirit tale itself. I also began to weave in sensory details to surround the reader and bring the story to life. I feel that I have grown a lot in the aspect of smoothly connecting sequences of events, especially since I used to write choppy narratives when I wasn't sure what the story line would entail. I definitely re-worked the dialogue many times to make it seem believable since this was an area I was not proficient in previously.
Thank you for reading this post and I hope you enjoy the rest of my blog!
As I have previously stated, I have always loved creative writing. I began creating as soon as I could pick up a pencil and write, and I hope to continue this passion throughout my life. In following the Common Core Standards, I wrote a short narrative to fit in the standard W.9-10.3 which requires narratives to have well-structured sequences and details, as well as to be strong and effective.
When searching for inspiration to write this narrative, I recalled stories that my parents and grandparents would tell me when I was younger. Their tales of spirits and other folklore always intrigued me, especially considering that my (partially) Native American heritage values these stories to teach and remember.
When writing this narrative, I created characters and tied in dialogue to keep the reader interested, rather than my initial incentive to just create the spirit tale itself. I also began to weave in sensory details to surround the reader and bring the story to life. I feel that I have grown a lot in the aspect of smoothly connecting sequences of events, especially since I used to write choppy narratives when I wasn't sure what the story line would entail. I definitely re-worked the dialogue many times to make it seem believable since this was an area I was not proficient in previously.
Thank you for reading this post and I hope you enjoy the rest of my blog!
Monday, May 9, 2016
Reflective Post #2 - 2016
Hello!
I have always felt a passion for poetry, constantly writing when I am inspired by nature, people, and emotions. During our unit of poetry, we as a class worked on analyzing the Sonnet form of poetry, and in particular, William Shakespeare's infamous Sonnets. Sonnet 18 is one of the most famous works of poetry that we analyzed and applied rhetorical devices to. In analyzing this poem, I applied the Common Core Standard L.9-10.5, which requires the understanding of figurative language, relationships, and nuances in word meaning.
I began by dissecting the parts of the Sonnet, which include an introduction to a problem, a turning point, and some sort of resolution or conclusion. I had to be able to understand what Shakespeare was suggesting implicitly, and try to make sense of his word use. Pulling quotes from the poem itself strengthened my points by adding explicit information.
At the end of my analysis, I had to identify examples of the rhetorical devices alliteration, assonance, internal rhyme, and personification. I had to read deeper into the poem to be able to find these devices, as they are not explicit or constant. Shakespeare keeps these poetic devices subtle to add a deeper meaning to the poem, as well as requiring the reader to focus in on the nuances of his wording and what he implicitly means.
Thank you for reading another post and I hope you enjoy the rest of my work!
I have always felt a passion for poetry, constantly writing when I am inspired by nature, people, and emotions. During our unit of poetry, we as a class worked on analyzing the Sonnet form of poetry, and in particular, William Shakespeare's infamous Sonnets. Sonnet 18 is one of the most famous works of poetry that we analyzed and applied rhetorical devices to. In analyzing this poem, I applied the Common Core Standard L.9-10.5, which requires the understanding of figurative language, relationships, and nuances in word meaning.
I began by dissecting the parts of the Sonnet, which include an introduction to a problem, a turning point, and some sort of resolution or conclusion. I had to be able to understand what Shakespeare was suggesting implicitly, and try to make sense of his word use. Pulling quotes from the poem itself strengthened my points by adding explicit information.
At the end of my analysis, I had to identify examples of the rhetorical devices alliteration, assonance, internal rhyme, and personification. I had to read deeper into the poem to be able to find these devices, as they are not explicit or constant. Shakespeare keeps these poetic devices subtle to add a deeper meaning to the poem, as well as requiring the reader to focus in on the nuances of his wording and what he implicitly means.
Thank you for reading another post and I hope you enjoy the rest of my work!
Tuesday, May 3, 2016
Reflective Post #1 - 2016
Hello!
As you probably know, my name is Ariana Licea and I am now a tenth grade student. In creating this portfolio, I decided to review, edit and improve my argument essay titled "Modesty Elicits Change" on the novel The House of the Spirits by Isabel Allende. Using the 9-10 Common Core Standard W.9-10.5, I revisited the essay I wrote over the summer to edit and improve it. Throughout the essay, I illustrated the Common Core Standards W.9-10.1, RL.9-10.1 and RL.9-10.3.
The standard W.9-10.1 requires proper citation of strong textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly and the implications drawn from it. Throughout the three body paragraphs, I cited evidence that supported my overall claim and to rebut counterclaims, and I demonstrated the connection between what was explicitly stated in the text and what I implied based on that. The strong evidence helped develop my argument and further the points I made in my thesis.
The standard RL.9-10.1 requires arguments made to support overall claims with valid analysis and evidence. Like I stated before, the three body paragraphs demonstrate this standard. In the introductory paragraph, I introduced my argument that would be proven through the course of the essay. I included textual evidence from the novel followed by thorough analysis of the text in the paragraphs to display and advance the claim made in the beginning of my essay.
The standard RL.9-10.3 requires the analysis of how characters develop and advance the plot or theme. In my first and second body paragraphs I focused on how the characters Pedro Tercero and Esteban Trueba instigated change from dire conditions or perspectives to better their lives as well as others'.
I will continue to align my portfolio with the Common Core Standards in different mediums of work that I have created over the course of my Sophomore year. Thank you for reading, and I hope you enjoy perusing through the rest of my work. :)
As you probably know, my name is Ariana Licea and I am now a tenth grade student. In creating this portfolio, I decided to review, edit and improve my argument essay titled "Modesty Elicits Change" on the novel The House of the Spirits by Isabel Allende. Using the 9-10 Common Core Standard W.9-10.5, I revisited the essay I wrote over the summer to edit and improve it. Throughout the essay, I illustrated the Common Core Standards W.9-10.1, RL.9-10.1 and RL.9-10.3.
The standard W.9-10.1 requires proper citation of strong textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly and the implications drawn from it. Throughout the three body paragraphs, I cited evidence that supported my overall claim and to rebut counterclaims, and I demonstrated the connection between what was explicitly stated in the text and what I implied based on that. The strong evidence helped develop my argument and further the points I made in my thesis.
The standard RL.9-10.1 requires arguments made to support overall claims with valid analysis and evidence. Like I stated before, the three body paragraphs demonstrate this standard. In the introductory paragraph, I introduced my argument that would be proven through the course of the essay. I included textual evidence from the novel followed by thorough analysis of the text in the paragraphs to display and advance the claim made in the beginning of my essay.
The standard RL.9-10.3 requires the analysis of how characters develop and advance the plot or theme. In my first and second body paragraphs I focused on how the characters Pedro Tercero and Esteban Trueba instigated change from dire conditions or perspectives to better their lives as well as others'.
I will continue to align my portfolio with the Common Core Standards in different mediums of work that I have created over the course of my Sophomore year. Thank you for reading, and I hope you enjoy perusing through the rest of my work. :)
Wednesday, May 13, 2015
Reflective Post #5 - 2015
Hello!
As my freshman year is coming to a close, there have been many things on my plate, and I've come to a point of looking back on my progress this year. I've already shared some aspects of my growth, but this year in my English class has especially changed huge parts of my work ethic as a student in all of my classes. All of the tasks and activities that seemed laborious at the time of completing them actually turned out to help me in the long run.
During my time in my English class, we read a total of four novels with units that corresponded with the novel and allowed us to illustrate our vital abilities as students. With reading the novels comes annotating, precisely two annotations per page about any significant things that we notice. This "back breaking task" turned out to help my analyzing skills and ability to find thoughtful and important quotes that could help even more in the analyzing department.
Something else that I also really enjoyed the after effect of was the use of technology in the classroom. Like I have previously mentioned, I was never sufficient with effective technology use, only using my computer to write essays for previous English classes, watching YouTube videos, and scrolling through pictures on my Instagram feed. During my time in this class, I learned effective ways to use technology with research, writing, and managing a blog. I also learned how to create slideshows and presentations that I would definitely be able to use in the near and far future.
This class granted me many skills that I never knew that I could obtain in such a short amount of time. My growth will not slow down, I guarantee you that, and I will definitely work on expanding the abilities that I was introduced to this year. I hope you enjoyed reading my post, and I wish you the best of luck in your growth as well. Thank you for reading, and I hope you enjoy the rest of my blog as well. :)
As my freshman year is coming to a close, there have been many things on my plate, and I've come to a point of looking back on my progress this year. I've already shared some aspects of my growth, but this year in my English class has especially changed huge parts of my work ethic as a student in all of my classes. All of the tasks and activities that seemed laborious at the time of completing them actually turned out to help me in the long run.
During my time in my English class, we read a total of four novels with units that corresponded with the novel and allowed us to illustrate our vital abilities as students. With reading the novels comes annotating, precisely two annotations per page about any significant things that we notice. This "back breaking task" turned out to help my analyzing skills and ability to find thoughtful and important quotes that could help even more in the analyzing department.
Something else that I also really enjoyed the after effect of was the use of technology in the classroom. Like I have previously mentioned, I was never sufficient with effective technology use, only using my computer to write essays for previous English classes, watching YouTube videos, and scrolling through pictures on my Instagram feed. During my time in this class, I learned effective ways to use technology with research, writing, and managing a blog. I also learned how to create slideshows and presentations that I would definitely be able to use in the near and far future.
This class granted me many skills that I never knew that I could obtain in such a short amount of time. My growth will not slow down, I guarantee you that, and I will definitely work on expanding the abilities that I was introduced to this year. I hope you enjoyed reading my post, and I wish you the best of luck in your growth as well. Thank you for reading, and I hope you enjoy the rest of my blog as well. :)
Tuesday, May 12, 2015
Reflective Post #4 - 2015
Hello!
I've noticed so many changes in my work ethic lately. As I have been trudging along to the end of the school year, there have been countless projects and assignments that require a lot of time and care (and are pretty big in the grading department).
Accomplishing these tasks and projects lifts a weight off of my shoulders, and I'm soon beginning to see that weight is constantly being lifted. My tasks seem less daunting and easier to accomplish, which seemed weird to me. Hadn't my homework always taken me all night to finish? Just a few minutes ago, I had to edit a peer's argument paragraph, which used to take about 30 to 40 minutes. This time, I zoomed through in about 8 minutes of thorough editing.
I also had to write an argument paragraph on that same subject, which took me about an hour to write in the earlier months of the school year, but now took me 20 minutes with, if I may say so myself, the same quality.
The same goes for any of my other projects, including this one. Technology has never been my strong suit, but embedding links, pictures, and videos to this blog has been surprisingly easy and quick. The time I'm saving on the projects that I'm working on can finally go into homework, so that I won't spend my whole night slouching on my bed answering rigorous questions with rigorous answers.
Now that I am done with this post, I still have time to work on other projects, and I hope I still get a lot done tonight. Thank you for reading, and I hope you enjoy the rest of my blog!
I've noticed so many changes in my work ethic lately. As I have been trudging along to the end of the school year, there have been countless projects and assignments that require a lot of time and care (and are pretty big in the grading department).
Accomplishing these tasks and projects lifts a weight off of my shoulders, and I'm soon beginning to see that weight is constantly being lifted. My tasks seem less daunting and easier to accomplish, which seemed weird to me. Hadn't my homework always taken me all night to finish? Just a few minutes ago, I had to edit a peer's argument paragraph, which used to take about 30 to 40 minutes. This time, I zoomed through in about 8 minutes of thorough editing.
I also had to write an argument paragraph on that same subject, which took me about an hour to write in the earlier months of the school year, but now took me 20 minutes with, if I may say so myself, the same quality.
The same goes for any of my other projects, including this one. Technology has never been my strong suit, but embedding links, pictures, and videos to this blog has been surprisingly easy and quick. The time I'm saving on the projects that I'm working on can finally go into homework, so that I won't spend my whole night slouching on my bed answering rigorous questions with rigorous answers.
Now that I am done with this post, I still have time to work on other projects, and I hope I still get a lot done tonight. Thank you for reading, and I hope you enjoy the rest of my blog!
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