PBL TASK 8 ELA COMPONENT
Journal Entries
Entry #1
08/30/2016
Ms. Z has announced that we have to choose one of the PBL Projects which we will complete throughout this year. I spent all afternoon looking at the different options that I had. I was the second to choose so I can do anyone that I wanted to. I have it down to three options: UV Beads, Air Swimmers, and Egg Throwing. The UV beads will let me experiment with sunscreens, the Ir Swimmers will be great for demonstration, and the Egg Throwing sounds like fun. I settled on The Egg Throwing since the materials are easily accessible, I have ideas for the components, and I hope to have fun with it. I hope I will receive the assistance necessary throughout my project and I will do my best to complete the tasks the best of my abilities.
Entry #2
10/21/2016
I’m starting to worry. The teacher has been gone for a long time. I’ve heard that she got sick and she can’t come for a while. Last year I completed my whole Chemistry PBL during the Thanksgiving and I don’t want to do that again because that was really stressful. As far as I know most of the tasks are supposed to be completed the 1st and 2nd quarter. How are we supposed to complete them if they haven’t been assigned nor is there someone to check them. I kind of want to do them on my own but I have had a lot of homework lately and I’m really tired. What if I do them and then she never comes? Then my time and effort will be worth nothing. All I can do is wait.
Entry #3
11/30/2016
Tasks 1-3 have been assigned for December the 1st. That’s all the teacher said. Last year Ms. Nering gave us detailed instructions as to what we were supposed to do but this year all we got was that statement. I have no idea where to look for the instructions. I asked around and no one seemed to know or they were going to do it later. I still have the instructions from last year but what if they have changed since then. I don’t want to work on something really hard and then for it not to eve count so I have emailed the teacher. Hopefully, I get a response soon so that I can complete my tasks.
Entry #4
12/02/2016
It’s been a couple days and she still hasn’t answered. In class, I asked her and she told to look at the Harmony Website. I had already looked and I couldn’t find it. It due tomorrow so I’m on my own now. I started typing in google related words so that maybe something would pop up. Finally, I was able to find a website that had a link to the instructions. Now I have to create my e-portfolio (Google Site), turn in my background research, and create a Page About STEMSOS Model.
Entry #5
12/03/2016
When I picked my project I thought that I was going to do it outside. However, things weren’t looking so well. It was cold, rainy, and I didn’t want to go outside. Nevertheless, I put on my uniform, got the blue bedsheet I was going to use for sewing a dress, grabbed the eggs, and asked my dad and sister to help me. We set up the sheet on the clothesline and propped up an old door on a tree. My sister and dad helped me by filming. I was a bit apprehensive about whether or not the egg would break and at the same time I felt bad for breaking an egg which someone who was hungry could have eaten. I threw the egg at the sheet with a small amount of force and the egg didn’t break. The I tried throwing it a little harder and again it didn’t break me and my sister took turns throwing the egg and when it looked like it was about to start raining we did the last part, the part I dreaded the most. I threw the egg at the door and it broke. I felt like crying it broke so brutally. We went back inside and I began working on the PBL site.
Entry #6
01/09/2017
As soon as we went back to school from winter break, we started receiving a lot of homework. The second time we went to Physics Ms.Z told us that she had sent us the email with the tasks and deadline we needed to complete them by. She agreed to send the email to me but I haven’t received it yet. There has been a lot to do and a lot of things are due this week. I have to find a way to fit everything in my schedule. I’m worried that one of the tasks is due sometime this week and I am not aware of it. I want to do the project right and dedicate enough time to each part. I hope to have time to have everything finished and turn in on time.
Entry #7
01/10/2017
In first period physics, Ms. Z told me she just opened up my email and that in fact there was a task due today. I reminded her that I hadn’t received the email with all of the assignments. She checked the email and asked me if that was mine. There was a typo in the email. I retyped my email and she sent me the assignments. I asked her if it was okay to get an extension since I had just received the email. She agreed and said I could have it by the 11th. I felt more relieved because I still had a lot of work to do for tomorrow. With the deadline extended until 01/11/17 11:59 pm, I had more time to get the task done well and professionally.
Entry #8
01/15/2017
The next task, Task 6, is due on Tuesday. I want to finish all my homework today because I won’t be able to so tomorrow (MLK day), as I won’t be home until very late. The past week has been filled with homework so I was taking it one day at a time. Yesterday I completed most of it. PBL Task 6 is in my to-list for today. However, when I checked the task it said that I was supposed to complete the handout that came with my project. I didn’t receive any handout, so I emailed the teacher. I waited all day. Towards the end of the day, I realized she wasn't going to answer so I took initiative and created my own four questions as a Plan B. I sent her an email informing her that I had finished Task 6.
Entry #9
01/16/2016
The teacher answered my emails today. On the first email, I sent her she re replied by sending me the handout we are going to do in class for impulse and momentum. On the second email I sent her she praised me for using critical thinking skills to solve the problem I am facing. I was so relieved when she accepted the work I had done the previous day. I was really worried that she might tell me to complete the handout that came with the experiment. I didn’t have enough time to sit for another afternoon and complete the handout. Thankfully, Task 6 is finished.
Entry #10
01/19/2017
The time has come to choose ELA and SS Components for the projects (Task 7). The previous year I did a narrative essay. Thus this year I wanted to try something different which is why I chose to complete the Journal. It would allow me to record everything that happened and my feelings by dates. For the SS Component, I decided to do a Historical Connection Essay. This way I can connect it to anything in history whether it’s historical figures, events, or items. The next step will be to actually do them.