POL REFLECTION:

My goal for respect was to actively listen with eyes and ears while teachers are talking or classmates are presenting. I think that I have partly completed this goal. If I had to grade myself, I’d most likely give myself an approaching. I think that when it comes to listening to my teachers talk, I have done very well in this goal. I even remind other kids to stop talking or focus when they are being distracted or disruptive. Although I actively listen while my teachers are talking I can’t say the same for my classmates. Sometimes I will be doing something on my computer or chatting with my friends while my peers are presenting or asking a question. I have to be reminded more than once to listen. I think that the problem I have with not listening is that I think what my peers have to say isn’t as important as what a teacher or guest speaker does. I think in the future to prevent this from happening, I could shut my computer so as to not be distracted by it, and I can refrain from talking to my friends until whoever is presenting is finished talking.

POL REFLECTION:

My goal for integrity was to act appropriately with no violations of school norms. I have achieved this goal very well. I have followed the rules that the school has set. Although I think I could do better on some things. For example, I recently received a processing sheet for cheating. We were taking a test on the states and capitals of the USA, and when I went outside to tell my friend that it was time to come in, I told her the capital of Oregon was Salem.I think that sometimes my teachers don’t really trust me to be around my friends. I think in the future, I can remind my friend that it is time to come in without being tempted to tell them the answer. Not only does cheating have consequences like getting a 0 on a test, or getting a processing sheet, yet it is also dishonest and a violation of trust towards your teachers.  Other than this, I have exceeded the expectations on this goal. I have followed the dress code, used my computer only for educational purposes, and I have not abused the privilege of having the bathroom.(as my teachers say) So far this school year, I think that my demonstration of integrity has grown incredibly, and I hope it continues to do so.

POL REFLECTION:

My goal for effort was to see my failures and challenges as an opportunity for growth. I think I have achieved this goal very well academically, but in my extracurricular activities, not so much. For example, when I get a grade below a meets on a project or test, I know that I can use my mistakes to help me in the future by not making the same ones. Instead of taking advice critically, I can use it to improve my work, as I know whoever’s providing me that advice is trying to help me, and not bring me down. I also know how to tell if someone is trying to bring me down, or trying to help me for the future. Clearly I have shown growth in this goal very well academically, but let's move on to the extracurricular portion of this. I do many sports and hobbies. Soccer, Gymnastics, Basketball Volleyball, Piano, Baking, and Drawing. In these activities, sometimes when things don’t go my way I get upset. Or when someone gives me advice instead of taking it and using it to improve in the future, I just tell myself that I’m not good enough, or I can’t do something. For example, at one of my recent gymnastics meets, I fell multiple times during the warmup on the uneven bars, and I could not complete a full routine. When it was my turn to actually compete, instead of encouraging myself and being confident, I doubted myself. I ended up not finishing my routine, and I was really upset. I strive to improve this by using positive self talk and being confident in myself no matter what. I hope in the future I can become better at this.

POL REFLECTION:

Lastly, My goal for refinement was to actively participate in class discussions and activities. I think that I have exceedingly completed this goal. I ask tons of questions and class, and give just as many answers. I always love to talk about topics when doing socratic seminars or book circles, and when paired up in groups, I participate all the time. I think one of the main reasons why I do this so much is  simply because I just love to talk a lot. That may sound like a bad thing at first, but most of the time, being good at talking can get you really far in life. Talking and participating more in class can improve your public speaking and your relationships with your teachers and classmates. Participating can also get you a higher grade on some things. For example, book circles, table discussions, socratic seminars, group work, and overall just asking and answering more questions. I think that being able to talk and participate freely also has a lot to do with confidence. For example, if you don’t like speaking up in class, or you’re afraid you will say something dumb, or get something wrong, it’s going to be harder for you to learn how to speak in public and make better relationships with people who you don’t really know. Whereas if you’re confident in the things you do and say, you will be more confident overall, and you will learn how to engage and work with people better in the future.