Here are the ways that I want to achieve an A in CODE120 and how I will achieve them.
1A: demonstrates ability and commitment to collaboratively work across and within community contacts and structures. (15%)
In my opinion, this means that I need to be able to work well with others while helping to improve the community, yet still keeping order and design of a project. I will demonstrate this by taking notes on how well I work with others and how I contribute in the group setting.
I have demonstrated this by helping my partner improve on their rhetorical analysis for out digital project 2. 2B: takes risks and approaches to learning to create new knowledge. (15%)
In other words, this means that I will use my risks and failures to grow. I will demonstrate this by recording my failures, or when I take new risks. For example, if I try a new writing style or a new research method in my reflections, digital projects, or during in class discussions.
I feel as though I leaned a lot using iMovie. It was new to me, so I had to watch videos in order to learn how to use it. I used iMovie to make the digital project video. 8C: develops clear, innovative central messages with significant supporting materials. (20%)
In my words, this means that I will need to be able to deliver the theme of a story/article by using evidence. I will demonstrate this by always citing my sources and trying to summarize better through my reflections.
I believe I have demonstrated this throughout my reflections. Here is an example in reflection 2. I believe that my writing clearly defines the central theme. 11A: evaluates texts, scholarly significance to apply reading to other contacts or issues. (30%)
This means that I will be able to annotate and relate a text, or article to previous knowledge. I will demonstrate this by showing my annotations, and showing how I connect them to real world situations through my reflections. Also, through my annotations of our readings.
13C: uses language to skillfully communicate with clarity and fluency (20%)
In my words, this means that I will be able to use correct grammar, and techniques to inform others. To demonstrate this, I will submit different writings that I produce to show correct grammar, and fluency. I will show this through my reflections and digital projects.
I believe throughout all of my reflections I have use correct grammar and writing techniques. This is reflection for, but I believe I have demonstrated this throughout 1-5. Sincerely,
It was July 19th, 2016. The day had finally come. We had spent the last several weeks packing up our things. I remember looking around my empty house for one last time, remembering all of the good and bad memories that have happened here. I wouldn’t have traded it for anything.
I had lived all of my life, from the time I was born to 11 years old, in Kingsport Tennessee. It was my home. The only place I’d ever known. My parents, grandparents, great grandparents, etc… are all from Tennessee. My parents and sister were born in Maryville, Tennessee. However, when my sister was five, they moved to Kingsport because my dad got a new job. Three years later, I was born. My mom always had her kids in her best intrust, so I started early in life going to preschool. My mom was a teacher’s assistant, so she was there with me. I started preschool when I was about 18 months old and went until I was five.
After preschool, I started elementary school. I was so excited. I remember a lot of things about it. Gym class, field days, talent shows, and making new friends. I felt so lucky to have all my friends from preschool with me, and was excited to make even more friends. I’m grateful for all of the amazing different things I experienced. During elementary school, I learned I like to do math. I think math is an important skill to learn, and it has always come relatively easy to me. I always thought I would go to college to become a math teacher.
During my 5th grade year, I always liked to put on a show for others, so I tried out for the talent show and I received a spot. I was so excited to start middle school. I would be going to the same school that my sister went to, and always wanted to be just like her. I tried out for the cheerleading team, and I made it! I was so ecstatic. A few days after making the team, I went back to the school to get my bag, my pom poms, and my bows. I was so thankful and happy that I made the team. I felt like I had won the lottery. I was excited about all these new things I accomplished. After we went to the school, my mom drove us back home. My sister wasn’t home at the time and my dad was on his way home from work.
When he got home, I was so excited to show him everything I got from the cheerleading program. He told me he had something important to talk to me about. I remember immediately getting a pit in my stomach. Did I do something wrong? Did something happen to someone in my family? He started to explain to me that he had received a new job offer from a new grocery store chain in St. Louis, Missouri. “It would be a better opportunity for us and our family. I would be able to spend more time at home with you and your sister” he sad. I was in shock. My whole life had been flipped upside down. “Does Kayla already know?” I asked. He said “I had told her earlier.” He then told me we had to get in the car and drive an hour to go tell my grandparents the news. My mom and dad said it would be better to tell them in person. I cried the whole way there. My grandparents were shocked. They already didn’t like that we were an hour’s drive away, but in a few short months we would be almost eight hours away. I remember trying to get my grandma to stop crying by repeatedly saying “Hey, I made the talent show!” I didn’t like to see her cry. We were going to be moving in July, so we still had a few months to spend together.
St. Louis Arch
Going to middle school was a culture shock. I came from a school with about 200 kids and was thrown into a school with almost 1500 kids. The first couple of days I struggled to make friends. I was scared, shy, and felt alone. I knew it would all get better though, it just would take some time. After being in school for a few weeks I started to make new friends. Things ended up working out for the better. I missed cheer sign ups in sixth grade, but I was on the middle school team in seventh and eighth grade. I had learned that all you really need is yourself. I feel as though moving made me grow up faster in some way.
By the time I started high school, my parents had bought a cabin in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, so we could have a place to stay when we visit our family. It felt nice to have a place back near “home”. I started to become more interested in our family history. I learned that my great great grandfather and his family had lived in an old log cabin. It was located in the Smoky Mountains. When my great great grandfather was 12 years old, the National Park bought the house they lived in, along with the land. The house/barn is now labeled as “The Tipton Place”. It is so interesting to know that my family name and my family history is portrayed in a national park.
I always shared this fact with my history teachers throughout high school. They always think it is so interesting because most of the teachers have actually visited the Great Smoky Mountains National Parks. High school was such a fun time, and I loved it so much. However, it was hard watching all of my friends from Tennessee do different things without me. Seeing their homecomings, proms, and football games was hard. However, the hardest thing was not walking across the stage at graduation with them.
Being from Tennessee is something I am extremely proud of. I love having a unique background. Also, I love being from a state that’s full of nature, kind people, and diverse communities. I love being able to call Tennessee my first home.
