Skills for success

1. Look back over your blog entries from this year and make sure you have tagged/labeled them with one or more of the following 5 Skills for Success.

• Work Hard & Persevere

• Learn
• Collaborate
• Communicate
• Solve Problems

2. Write a new blog reflection that answers the following questions with complete thoughts that are explained and supported by evidence.

• Which of the five Skills for Success is your biggest strength? Why?

Work hard and persevere was my biggest strength last trimester.  I  strived to do better on tests, and had made that my priority.  When things got tough, I refused to give up on my goal.  I persevered through the hard events, and concentrated on the success that I would have if I worked hard. 

• In which of the five Skills did you show the greatest improvement during 1st trimester?
• Out of all the skills for success, I think I improved on Communicating the most. I thought this because I went to Mr. Lammers when I wanted to retake and talk about my test.
• Which of the five Skills do you need/want to improve the most? Why?
• Solving Problems. Sometimes I have a tendency to give up when I get angry. Although I have learned to persevere through all of this, I am still sometimes so aggravated that I get caught up in the moment.
• What specific actions will you take in order to improve?

Since I have an option to either do homework or talk to teachers in study support, I will take more time to ask teachers for help at that time. I will also not talk to friends as much in class. Sometimes I am so focused on talking to friends, I forget that there is a lesson being taught in class. It is not until the activity is almost over that I tune into the conversation. This also makes it hard to do the activity that the teacher has told us to do.

• What resources/assistance will you take advantage of in order to improve?
• I will go to teachers more often in Guided learning.  I will also use my time in Study Support more wisely. 

Egg Drop Report

1. Describe your thought process as you developed an initial idea for your egg-catcher.

     When Maddie and I first designed our egg-catcher we thought that about how good of cushion we could have to where the egg would not break.  

We also thought about how the center of gravity in the egg, would effect the drop.  Thus this is why the papered cushion in the cup, was a main priority.  Since we were only allowed 2 pieces of paper, we crumbled it up and then flattened it out, to make it softer.  We also shredded a piece of paper to make even more cushion.  

We also thought about designing a cup that had straws on the side to weigh down the cup as the egg was dropped.  We even thought about how the center of gravity in the egg, would effect the drop. As you can see Our biggest idea for this project, was to make it to have the softest landing as possible.  

2. Describe what changes you made to your design as the competition went along. Tell why you made those changes. Include a detailed and labeled sketch of your best design.

In the process of the Egg drop project, we quickly discovered that our cup had many problems. It was tipping to much and we needed to weigh it down with popsicle sticks. Before, we had straws connected to it. The straws did not weigh enough to keep the cup from tipping over when the egg landed in the cup. Just by using the fake egg, we could tell that if we used a real egg it would break when the cup tipped over. Then, we got four popsicle sticks and taped them to the bottom to where they were placed to look like a cross. This helped a lot but there was still something missing. We cut up some straws and put them under the paper at the bottom of the cup. This made to where the egg would not hit the bottom hard.

3. Give a second-by-second descriptive account of your most successful trial.

Our most successful trial in the egg drop project, was when we dropped the egg 3 meters off the  stairwell and into the cup. We had already fluffed up the paper in our cup to where it was filled to the top with paper.  Maddie used the string to calculate in what place to drop the egg.  We were both on edge about trying from the 3.0 meters.  We only had 1 egg left to spare, and if this didn't make it into the cup then we had to settle for an A-.  Finally to end the suspense, we dropped the egg.  In, what felt like seconds, it flew into the cup.  We were cheering! We had made an A! Then one of our classmates informs us that the egg had broken inside the cup. Mr. Lammers inspected it and said, since we made it into the cup then we could keep an A! Although our egg had broken, we had many things to be satisfied with.  First of all, we had an A. Second I will never forget that moment of shear joy that I had when it landed in the cup.

4. Describe the difficulties you had with this project. (e.g. Did you give your best effort?  Did you have trouble with design?  With equipment?  With construction? With execution?)

One of the many difficulties in this project was finding the right route to success.  At first we had trouble with the design. We made many different designs until one finally worked. We were very determined to get an A. Our effort in this project was great, we did not give up until we succeeded. The equipment that Mr. Lammers gave us was extremely fair. At first we had trouble knowing what the straws and popsicle sticks were for. This contributed to the problems of constructing a design, because we had no idea what to do. He gave us 2 pieces of paper, 4 rubber bands, 4 popsicle sticks, a meter long piece of tape, straws, and a cup. I think this also gave us a hint to how we should have designed our cup. EXECUTION-- Carrying out the project was an interesting process. Looking back on this project I think about all the mistakes I made along the way

5. Tell what you could have done to improve your egg drop project performance?

Looking back on this project I think about all the mistakes I made along the way. To start, I should have known that something had to weigh down the cup. Second of all, I should have known that even if we have a lot of paper you have to have something that will bounce off of it.

6. Describe the motion of your egg mathematically* and by creating at least one graph. [*Note: include average speed, acceleration, momentum, and force of impact calculations. Show three steps.]

AVERAGE SPEED-- distance divided by time= 3.5 meters divided by .67 seconds= 5 meters/seconds. When dropping the egg in to the cup, we calculated the speed that it was dropped at. This connected to motion because the egg was moving. When I held the egg in my hand it had a speed of 0 meters / seconds.

acceleration-- fv - sv divided by time = 8 meters - 0 divided by .67 seconds= 11.94 meters/second squared. This connected to motion because when we dropped the egg, we wanted to see if the speed accelerated at any point in time. The egg accelerates as it falls.

momentum-- mass times volocity= .0654 times 5.2= .34 kg meters/seconds We calculated this to see what was gained by the egg.

force of impact-- mass times acceleration= .0654 kg times 11.94 m/s =.78 meters
This connects to motion because we wanted to see how fast and hard the egg hit the cup.  If we had no cushion in the cup, then the egg would break.  

Discuss how momentum played a major role in this project.
Momentum = mass times velocity. The higher the drop the more momentum there will be because the velocity of the egg increases.  As the momentum increases there is a greater chance that the egg will break on impact. As momentum increases the importance of having a good cushion increases.

8. Describe the forces acting upon your egg from the time it was in your hand to the time its drop was complete.

Gravity force and friction. Gravity pulls the egg towards the ground. Friction creates a resistance from the hand and from the air. Once the egg leaves my hand the gravitational force forwards it to the cup. When the egg hits the cup the cup returns the force as the egg hits it. This is the force of impact.

Make TWO connections between the egg drop project and concepts from Chapter 2 of the science textbook.  Be creative and think with depth.

1.) Unbalanced forces; can cause an object to stop moving. The cup provides an unbalanced force that acts on the falling egg that results in a net force that causes the egg to stop moving.  
2.) We learned about the force of gravity, gravity is a force that pulls objects towards each other. The ground (Earth) pulls the egg towards it. Since the Earth has a large mass it pulls the smaller mass of the egg towards it.

Science best drop

1.) Recently in Science class We were told (with a partner) to construct a 'safe' place where an egg can drop into it safely.  We were given the objects: a cup, 4 rubber bands, tape, 2 pieces of paper, and popsicle sticks.  To get our partners, we drew from popsicle sticks.  Luckily, I picked my Best friend Maddie... Our best drop so far was from 2.5 meters.  Although our egg cracked, we were very happy with the success.  Since the egg was not ' bleeding' we got to keep the drop.  As it landed in the cup it acted as a trampoline and it flew back out. Our grade right now is an A- but we will hopefully make it to an A.

2.) I think our effort was about an 8.5.  We have tried many different styles until one finally worked.  We worked on making our cup better even when the egg did not break in it.  We were very determined to get an A- so I think it configured into our effort quite a bit.

3.) Our most successful egg catcher was when we dropped it at 2.5 meters.  Although it bounced out it did not break the egg.  We also threw it hard at the cup, which made it bounce harder in the cup.  It was the highest point we dropped at, and so therefore it was the best egg catcher designs we have had.

4.)

The road to success

Once I received my Science test I quickly talked to Mr. Lammers about a retake.  We talked it over, and it was decided I would take it the next day in guided learning.  I studied that night and when I asked Mr. Lammers about it, He had forgotten to make a test... He said that he forgot and that I could take it on Monday.  I had mixed feelings about this but I went along with this process.  He then forgot on Monday too.  I was quite angry because this was supposed to change my final grade, for the trimester, from a B+ to an A-.  I had gotten all A'S since 4th grade so I was pretty upset.  My mom was also  upset and emailed Mr. Lammers.  I then took it finally and it raised my grade:) Although this was a long process it was all worth it.  I now have an a- in his class.  These events can clearly be described as the Road To Success.

science test reflection

1.) On the recent Science test I did not do as well as I hoped.  There were 4 sections on the test; Vocabulary, Motion Graphs, Short Answer, and Calculations.  I did not study the Vocabulary that was needed for the test.  I was mistaken with what was going to be on the test, so therefore I did not study as much as I needed to. This clearly reflected on my grade, and this is the section I did the most poorly on.  The vocabulary words consisted of motion, reference point, speed, speed and velocity, instantaneous speed, average speed, acceleration, friction, momentum, graphs.  I got the majority of them right, but since they were 2 points each, it 'hurt' my grade quite a bit. 

Motion Graphs-- On the Motion Graphs in the test I got confused.  On the one question I did the worst on, I confused a position graph with  a speed vs. time graph.  I did not fully understand the difference between a position vs. time graph and a speed vs. time graph.  After going to him for help on this concept, I now fully understand the differences.

Short Answer-- On the Short Answer section of the test I did O.K. on.  There was one or two questions that I 'blanked' on, and so that is when the loss of points started to show in that section.  I did not include enough details on the short answers.  I also did not understand how a large object and small object can have the same momentum.  Although when I did my corrections, I now understand the question.  A large object and a small object can have the same momentum because of one formula.  Mass times velocity= Momentum.  Even if they both have different mass and velocities, they can still have the same momentum if when you times the mass and velocity it is the same.

Calculations-- This section was my strength.  Out of all the problems in this section my grade was a 94%.  This is what I studied mostly for so i'm not surprised it was my strength.  Although this was my best section, I did make some careless mistakes.  All of my mistakes involved missing units.

FOR FUTURE TESTS: I WILL STUDY EVERYTHING THAT WILL BE ON THE TEST. 
I will not just study one section; I will study all the material that will be on it.  I will also pay attention in class more and ask for help when I need it.  

3) Compare the test with the Marshmallow Challenge. What do these two activities tell about you as a learner?
These two activities forced me to think about my actions as a scientist.  On the test, I tried to do each problem step by step.  While in the Marshmallow project I had to learn to cooperate with others, even if I didn't want to.

Libya Report

Libya Report

By Melissa Wiggins

Recently in Benghazi, Libya there has been a terrorist attack, involving four americans; one of whom was the ambassador to Libya. Benghazi is the second largest city in Libya.  The attack took place on September 11, 2012 involving 150 Libyan militants.  Infact, the Islamic Militants did not just invade one location, but two.  The first location was at the main consulate office where the ambassador lay dead from smoke inhalation, Along with another U.S. official.  The second location was about a mile down the road, where the other two americans were evacuated and later died after they were hit by a precision mortar attack.  The second location was also set on fire.  The terrorist group also set fire to the consulate building that the ambassador, Chris Stevens, was in.  It is uncertain whether the terrorists struck the building, because of a protest against the american made movie that portrayed the prophet Muhammad unfavorably.  Another theory is that it was a planned attack to avenge the killing of an Al- Qaeda commander.  So far, the attackers' motives can only be speculated upon.  Before the attack had begun it was said that there were about 150 bearded men wearing afghanistan like tunics.   They rode up on pick up trucks that were mounted with heavy machine guns.  They also set up roadblocks according to witnesses.  The trucks had the logo of Ansar al-Shariah, a powerful local group of Islamist militants. They worked with the municipal government to manage security in Benghazi.  One of the consulate's private Libyan guards said masked militants grabbed him and beat him, one of them calling him "an infidel protecting infidels who insulted the prophet."  This was a tragic event, and what was even more heartbreaking was that another catastrophic occurrence  happened on a date that we now remember as 9/11.   As Americans remember the day of the twin towers coming down along with thousands of people, we now have another tragic event to associate with that date.  
There is only one question that still lingers in our mind about this tragic event and that is; Why did it happen?  There is no telling why it exactly happened, but we do have some theories.  Although the attack of the US consulate might be related to the american film, experts believe otherwise.  The film was  extremely discriminating to the Islamic prophet Muhammad.  The American made film talked about Islam in a hurtful way.  This film may have been the reason why this attack happened.   A lawyer passing by the scene said he saw the militants gathering around 20 youths from nearby to chant against the film. Within an hour or so, the assault began, guns blazing as the militants blasted into the compound.  Though this also may be incorrect, we have no way of knowing for sure.   Experts also believe it may have been done to avenge the killing of Al- Qaeda commander.  Al-Qaeda is also an islamic militant group.  It is believed that the militants that constructed this attack is a fairly new group called Ansar al-Sharia.  They have been blamed for many terrorists attacks through the last weeks in Eastern Libya.  They have also killed some Libyan officials... Although they are new to the terrorist world, they are making up for lost times... It is hard to say why it exactly happened, but the United States of America is trying to figure it out desperately.  
Many people’s minds are swarming with the question, why should we care? The ambassador sent out letters seeking security help in Libya by contacting the American Government.  With many opportunities to help, the government chose not to act on the problem. This makes many people think about our trust in our government policies.  The president and therefore our governments level of international security has been brought to the forefront of the present political debate.  Also, there could be more embassy attacks around the world.  Four americans are left dead in Libya, which leaves some Americans extremely angry.  This was a very tragic event and U.S. officials are trying to get to the bottom of this suspicious story.  
    Bibliography
                                             By Melissa Wiggins

Works Cited

Banerji, Robin. "Did Ansar Al-Sharia Carry out Libya Attack?" BBC News. BBC, 09 Dec. 2012. Web. 05 Nov. 2012. <http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-19575753>.

"Libyan Witnesses Recount Organized Benghazi Attack." CBSNews. Ed. Cbsnews. CBS Interactive, 27 Oct. 2012. Web. 4 Nov. 2012. <http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-501713_162-57541737/libyan-witnesses-recount-organized-benghazi-attack/?tag=mncol;lst;2>.

London., David D. Kirkpatrick And Steven Lee Myers; David D. Kirkpatrick Reported From Cairo, And Steven Lee Myers From Washington. Reporting Was Contributed By Osama Alfitory And Suleiman Ali Zway From Benghazi, Libya; Mai Ayyad From Cairo; Eric Schmitt And Scott Shane From Washington; And Alan Cowell From. "Attack On U.S. Site in Libya Kills Envoy; A Flash Point for Obama and Romney." The New York Times. The New York Times, 13 Sept. 2012. Web. 05 Nov. 2012. <http://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/13/world/middleeast/us-envoy-to-libya-is-reported-killed.html?pagewanted=all>.

A new Beginning

A New Beginning

By Melissa Wiggins

We often find ourselves getting close to our a pets or other special animals in our lives. We are devoted to them, and no matter how much we love them, all good things must eventually come to an end.  Think about if everything we loved stayed exactly the same.   We may get tired of them or forget to see the beauty in that one special creature.  When you do have them in your life, appreciate it, because it may be the last moment you spend together....
It was a cool February day, and it hadn’t rained in a while so I could feel the windy dry air whipping at my pale white skin.  The brown and cherry red leaves on the trees were still buried in the ground from the many weeks before.  As I waited for my mom to pick me up at school and go to the barn I thought about the first time I had gotten my brown and white paint pony, Snickers.  It was a similar day, cold and windy, but instead it was a Saturday and not a Tuesday.  Also on my mind was on Miles, a big white Connemara pony who we had gone to see the week before.  My lease with Snickers was almost up and I had to find a new pony to lease.  This was exciting, but also meant I had to send her back to her owner... A chill ran down my spine just thinking about the idea of giving up one of my greatest friends...  Miles was a magnificent pony, but he also came at a price.  My mom had told me that he was quite expensive and that we probably couldn’t get him.  It was extremely unfortunate because I knew he was the one, but I had to keep in mind that everything happens for a reason.  When I first met him, it was like we were in a movie.  We looked at each other and everything else started to blur around the white puff ball walking towards me.  I had my hands in my pockets of my navy blue riding jacket, but before I knew it my hands were out and touching Miles’s creamy white face.  He had put his big head right where my arms were and that’s when I knew he was mine.  When we rode it felt like we had been a team for a few months.  I got my first lead change with him right after the blood red jump.  I could still remember the feeling of him switching his right leg in front of his left in the air.  
    Finally my mom had come to pick me up in her silver grey Honda van.  After she asked me how my day was, I was happy to get on the highway to the barn.  The barn is my way of relieving stress after  a long day at middle school.  Whether I’m at a horse show or the barn, I always find a way to forget about everything else. I get to concentrate on the people and animals I love most, which is extremely satisfying.  I wondered how my last few rides would go on Snickers. I hoped they would be great because I wanted as many good memories of her as I could get.  As we entered the peaceful grounds of the barn, I suddenly felt a happy sensation that started in the middle of my stomach and ended with the smile on my freckled pale face.  I hopped out of the car and went into the newly dragged ring to meet my trainer Julia.  She had just finished teaching a little girl when I strode up to her.   She seemed wildly ecstatic about something but I assumed it was just that the little girl, Charlotte,  had an amazing ride.  However, when we walked into the barn it was something entirely different, something that I was blown away about, something that made me happier than I had ever been in my whole life, and that something was Miles.
I screamed in total happiness. It was him!  Miles! I couldn’t believe it!  Again it felt like I was in a dream or a movie, but I was starting to get used to this feeling.  He seemed startled by me jumping up and down in front of him.  It wasn’t until then I noticed all the people around me, Julia, my mom, Nancy, Marianna, Margot and Emma.  After they all congratulated me I took Miles out of Snicker's  stall.  He nudged me as if to say “Hi, I’m Miles. We’re gonna be a great team one day”.   After putting him in the blue cross ties I went to go get my treats and purple brushes.  I was used to brushing a white pony, so it didn’t take me long to tack up.  It was still miraculous that at every spare moment he would try to nudge me and love on me.  As I put on his martingale, I flinched, waiting for the brown ears to go back and bite me.  Snickers would bite a lot... Especially when you were putting the saddle, martingale and bridle on.  As I walked into the ring to have a lesson I still felt like I was in a different universe.  Sooner than I hoped, my brilliant ride was over.  As we walked out of the ring, I whispered in his ear “Welcome to the barn! You are here to stay.”  After untacking and putting Miles in his new stall, I watched him as he ate his hay.  He was unlike any pony I had ever met.  He was caring but mischievous and I knew right then and there he was my best friend.  Even after walking away I could feel his soft chestnut brown eyes reflecting on my back.  His eyes were another characteristic I loved about him.  Instead of regular brown eyes, his were brown but with, what looked like, millions of dust particles swimming around in his eyes.  When I looked up I saw directly in front of me, Snickers.  As she was watching me I felt like someone was stabbing me in the heart.  I could tell she felt replaced, but I needed to move on and she needed to find another girl to teach.  She had taught me everything she could and it was time to let her go, and Miles made me realize this.  It would be selfish to keep her when someone else could learn from her.  
         I hope I touched Snickers’ life as much as she touched mine.  I will never forget her for as long as I live, but it’s time for me to move on.  There are things that we don’t want to happen but have to accept, things we don’t want to know but have to learn, and animals we can’t live without, but have to let go.  It was a new beginning and a new end, but so often we are so focused on the door that was just closed we forget to see the one that was just opened for us.

3 Essential questions

What makes the Middle East an important region historically and currently?

        The history of the Middle East has impacted the current events of today in many different ways.  For one, the wars that struck out in the past, has created conflict between the U.S.A and the Middle East.  About a month ago, there was a terrorist attack that occurred in Libya.  It involved four Americans, including the U.S. ambassador.   The terrorists struck out against them by setting the compounds on fire. Since we depend on the Middle East for our main oil source, if we have a conflict with them our oil could be restricted.  If there are more embassy attacks around the world, particularly in the Middle East, prices can go up on oil and energy.  Historically, the Middle East is quite important.  Since the 1930s the Middle East has emerged as the world’s most important source of energy and the key to the stability of global economy. When Israel was being targeted by the countries 'neighbors' U.S. made many enemies with other countries, by protecting Israel.  These are just a few of the many examples why the Middle East is an important region historically and currently.

http://www.iags.org/luft_dependence_on_middle_east_energy.pdf
and my notes:)

How has The Middle East's physical geography shaped its cultures and history?

       Throughout history, relative location of the Middle East has been a main factor to shaping the region's culture and history.  The Middle East has connected many trade routes on it’s land and seas for hundred of years. It is centrally located between Europe, Asia, and Africa and trade between nations in these regions would take place over trade routes that passed through the Middle East such as the silk route.  Since countries in different parts of the world need to trade with each other for goods they cannot produce themselves, they relied on the Middle East for their routes. This important central location in the world’s geography has shaped the region’s culture and history, as many countries would fight over access to land and trade routes.  Because of the many sea routes in the Middle East (such as Mediterranean, Red Sea, and Arabian Sea) the area is important to the world for trade. Other countries’ military and economy depends on these routes.  Also mountains in the area have a natural barrier, which divides people.  Since the mountains are  so difficult to cross, in the past they have divided empires and kept out armies. Mountains have in some cases have provided refuge for groups such as the Christians in the Lebanon mountains.  


How can I effectively research reliable facts about geography, history, and current events?

       Luckily, In Carolina Day School's databases there are articles that are reliable about current events that are right at your fingertips.  Instead of having to go to a library and search for a reliable book, you can find facts about  geography, and history online easily.  If you did not have a database within your reach, I would suggest looking at the citations on the website you are looking at and make sure they sophisticated and are accurately correct.  

Interim Report Reflection

       

   

            Overall in my Interim report my main skill was that I got all my work in to the teacher in time.  Each piece of work I worked hard to get done in a timely manner.  I was determined to finish my work in time because I knew it could just turn into a big mess that I hadn't gotten done. I would have forgotten about it and would never have done it.   This reflected on my interim report and I am happy with my results for that.

             My biggest weakness in Language Arts and Social Studies is participating in group discussions.  It takes me a while to think about what exactly I want to say, and if it makes a difference in the group discussion.  I zone out in class and sometimes can not stay concentrated on the questions we answer.  I have noticed that I am a lot better at talking about the question when it is a smaller group. Although I am a very talkative person, outside of class, I need to find a way to transfer that into the next group discussions. Through the next discussions I will try to give my input in the discussion.

             Within the next year I will give all my effort to speak up in discussions and continue to get all my work done in time.  I am not used to the homework load but I will try to still take one thing at a time. I will pretend, when in group discussions, that there is only three people in the group instead of 10.  I will also keep my mind on the question we are answering, instead of thinking about my pony...  I am excited to see what the year brings and all the knowledge that comes with it.  

Interim Science Reflection

 



            A few weeks ago we were instructed to fill out our own interim report.  Today I got back my real interim report.  In Science I was extremely happy with my report.  Almost all the X'S were closest to proficient.  Although the one I filled out looked different I am more than pleased with my results.

            My report that I filled out, many of my X's were in the middle of developing and proficient.  I was very pleased to see that the one Mr. Lammers gave me was closer to proficient...  I am happy with what he has given me, but I hope to make them even better.

            Through the last weeks I have been more focused and up to date on projects.  I have given more thought to my piers on projects and I cant wait to see what the rest of the year brings.

libya news

When the four Americans were attacked in Libya by terrorists, there was a huge shock to the public.  All four americans were killed. A group of U.S. employees went to consulate to try to evacuate staff as the building went under attack.  On Thursday, a senior Libyan security official said the attack was an organized two-part operation by heavily armed militants that included a precisely timed raid on a supposedly secret safe house just as Libyan and U.S. security forces were arriving to rescue evacuated consulate staff.  Once the terrorists set the building on fire, there was no escape.  The victims died from breathing too much smoke.  Before this awful thing had happened the four Americans emailed the White House to help with security in Libya.  The security measures were not increased, and because of this, people in Libya held a planned terrorist attack on the victims.  

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-202_162-57512187/former-navy-seal-glen-doherty-one-of-4-americans-killed-in-attack-on-u.s-consulate-in-libya/

Roller Coaster reflection

In the 8th grade class at Carolina Day School, we were instructed to build a roller coaster using the lining on pipes.  One failure my group had was that the drop was too steep and so it would keep falling off the track.  After fixing that by putting a tunnel in, we had much success.  One of the skills of success was collaboration.  It was related to a motion unit because we had volocity. We talked about We would then drop the marble down the roller coaster and see if it had worked on the track.  Assigned to two partners, I thought It went extremely well.  My roller coaster met all the requirements assigned and we got a grade of an A-A+.  Our roller coaster, dropped, swerved, looped, and even went over some bumps. Although I was happy with my grade, it took until the last ten minutes of testing for it to finally work.  Overall our roller coaster was entertaining, exciting, and I liked working with my partners.  I am excited to see what next project we will be working on in class.  

S.C.R.A.V.I.D. POST

When reading Ender's Game, written by Orson Scott Card, my class was required to take notes on details that stood out to us in the book.  On those notes we put the page number, chapter, and reading strategy we used.  Between the seven reading strategies; Summarize, connect, reread, ask questions, visualize, infer, and decide on which details seemed important in the book, I used infer and decide to be most useful.  Instead of spelling all of these strategies out our class simply just calls them S.C.R.A.V.I.D.  

Between all the S.C.R.A.V.I.D reading strategies I found Inferring on the details,  deciding on the details, and visualizing seemed to be most important to me  in this particular book.  When I inferred on the details, I thought about all the things I had just read and made a connection with it from the beginning of the book, or even a few pages before. For example on page (51) I found that because of Ender’s brother being so mean to him he was exceptionally good at hiding his emotions. Then after this, I would make a decision between all that happened by thinking about all the question circulating in my mind.  On page (55) I made the decision that Graff truly did care about him.  Lastly when I visualized the details when Petra and Dink were watching Ender practice in the battle room (103)  I could clearly picture that scene in my mind from the given details.

These strategies, I think, will prove to be extremely useful in the future.  When reading a new book I will think back to S.C.R.A.V.I.D. I will think about re-reading when I don’t understand a page or chapter. This will increase my knowledge of reading by a longshot.  I’m glad I learned this and can’t wait to learn new strategies in the future.  

Science homework Feliz Baumgartner

       Often times we find ourselves scared of simply climbing a rock or even walking outside, but try freefall jumping down 120,000 feet.  43 year old, Felix Baumgartner, planned to make this traitorous journey today but was delayed because of wind currents.  He plans to go up in a stratospheric balloon as he then plummets towards Earth.  I think this effects 8th grade science by the way we look at experiments  and forces us to try something new.  Also I think it will help us see what, if there is, the instantaneous speed that happens as you see someone falling to Earth.

Vocabulary Reflection

     

           In language Arts at Carolina Day School we recently had a root word vocabulary quiz.   To study, I had many strategies that worked, but also, many things that did not.  I made flashcards to study which worked extremely well, and I did study more than one day before the test.  Although I did do this I don't think I used my time wisely.   Instead of studying quietly and productive, I studied while talking to a friend.  I have learned from that mistake, and the next time I take a quiz I plan to use my time more wisely WITHOUT talking to friends.

Balloon Jet car report-- Melissa

Balloon Jet Car Report

By Melissa Wiggins

      In the 8th grade Science class at Carolina Day School they were recently given a project that challenged them.  We were given a task to make a balloon Jet car using a wooden skewer, four lifesavers, one note card, a balloon, and two straws.  The grade was based on how far the Jet car went.  One of the 8th grader’s jet car went 7.95 meters, which makes her grade a solid A.  Even though she got to her goal, it took her awhile to get to that point.  She went through about 4 jet cars before she finally got an A.  The motion in this project was off and on.  She would get farther and farther almost every time, but there were some times that she would have an off day.  Her reference point was from the start line to wherever her car went.  The class overall did extremely well.

Distance (m)	7.95

Results

    
     In the balloon Jet Car Project I think Mr. Lammers constructed the procedure carefully and thoughtfully.  Since my balloon Jet car went 7.95 meters, my grade was an A.  I think he chose the distances considerately.  He knew people could make it to a certain distance and he based your distance on your final grade.  I think he made 8 meters an A+ because he wanted to challenge us in the project.  This drove us to attempt to master this project by getting the highest score.


     A perfect Balloon Jet Car is hard to come by in this project.  To get one of these you have to have the time and patience to succeed in this task.  My idea of a perfect balloon Jet car is one that goes far enough to reach an all time record.  It has to truly work, not one time but all.  I think you have to have the axles  turn and not as much the wheels.  The skewer has to go through the straw and the note card.  The axles turn more than the wheels because that is what makes the wheel audible.
      
         


       In my car it was important to have speed and distance in my jet car.  I had to have speed and distance because without the speed I don’t think the car would have gone far.  I think that when the car had a good speed going in the beginning it would not run out as fast as it would if it started at a slow speed.
    


       My Balloon Jet car had both negative and positive acceleration.  It’s positive was that it got to where I wanted it to go, and that it actually moved.  It’s negative was that most out the many times it did not go anywhere.  In the final test I was proud that it did not turn or swerve and that it just stayed perfectly straight until it hit the wall.  The negative side to the final test was that the wheels were not spinning as much as I wanted them to be.  





       When building and testing my balloon jet car there were many problems that occurred.  At the start of the project I had no idea what to build.  When I did have an idea what to build the card on the structure it touched the ground which caused it to not move.  I fixed the card on the structure, and it started to roll. (confusing)  When first testing my car swerved all over the room, and to solve this problem I fixed the wheels so that they were all in line with each other.  


         In this project it didn’t just teach me to build a jet car, it taught me a very valuable lesson for life.  Instead of just giving up when something did not work out, I tried and tried again until I got it right.  Instead of giving up when something doesn't come easily, you try again until you get it right.


      
     
      My effort during this project was consistent.  I think if I just slacked off through half of the project I would have never gotten an A.  I learned that if you don’t give up on something you are most likely accomplish your goal.  


     In my next 8th grade upcoming project I plan to stay more concentrated on my task and not on my friends. I think this will help me get a lot more done in a short amount of time.  

Science and leadership

       Yesterday in Science class we tested our knowledge on momentum and leadership.  In the first seventeen minutes of class we did nothing. We were expecting our teacher to lead us through the door and through the project.  Instead we were in charge of the project, using our leadership skills we did extremely well.  I think if we did not waste 17 minutes in the start of class, we could have had more time to make sure our data was accurate.  Everyone worked hard to get this project done so everyone played a big lead in the task.  Our leadership looked, and was, strong and hard working.   If you saw our group you would see a group of 8th graders working hard and fast until we got it right.

graph on khan

Reflection on Stuck on Khan

Stuck on Khan? Checklist You have many resources at your disposal to help you overcome a question or difficulty.  If you have a math question that arises during Khan work time, follow the steps below: yes o Click on the button “Show acceptable answer formats”.  Review the acceptable answer formats to ensure you have entered the answer in the required format. Sometimes o Ensure that you have reduced your answer to simplest form.  (For example, if you entered 2/70, you would need to simplify it to 1/35). yes o Write down all your work on paper. Showing your work may help you identify a mistake yourself, and it can help your teacher or fellow students figure out where you got confused. no o Draw a picture, if applicable.  For example, if you are solving for the area of a living room, draw a picture of the room and label any information that is given. Sometimes seeing the problem as a picture can help you figure out how to solve it. yes o Watch a video.  Appropriate videos are recommended in the “Need Help?” section of each exercise module.  This will not reset your streak. yes o Get a hint.  Use the “hints” feature in Khan to see a step-by-step solution of the problem.  This will reset your streak. yes o Try a new question in the same exercise module.  Repeat the above steps. yes o Ask another student who is already proficient in that exercise to help you figure out where you got stuck or to explain the concept to you. Make sure he or she helps you understand the concept and doesn’t just give you the answer. sometimes o Ask your teacher for help if he or she is available. yes o If your teacher is unavailable and none of these other methods work, move on to another exercise and return to that exercise later.

Khan test on fractions and integers

1. Do I consistently focus in class?

Most of the time

2. Do I ask questions, watch videos, or get hints as soon as material is unclear?

Yes when I need help, I ask questions, whether it is to a friend, computer, or adult.

3. Do I MASTER the test review problems?

Most of them

4. Do I show my work?  

Yes, when I need to.

Work Neatly?  

Yes, I like to have everything neatly written, especially in tests.

Work carefully?  

Most of the time.

Check my answers?

Most of the time.

5.  Do I get help outside of class time?
Yes, often in study support or at home with my mom or dad.

6.  What should I continue to do in my preparation that worked well?

Go over all the topics I am going to be tested on.

7.  How could I better prepare for the next test? 

Make sure not to make careless mistakes... 

TEST TAKING

1. Do I read and follow the instructions at the top of the page?

Most of the time

2. Do I work carefully?  

Yes, sometimes...

Show all of my work?  

Usually

Work neatly?  

Yes

Check my answers?  

Usually

Read instructions for each problem carefully?

Yes.
TEST ERRORS

1. What types of errors am I making?

Careless Mistakes

2. How can I avoid making these types of errors?  (see preparation and test taking questions above)

Go over each problem again after test...